i'm just curious about the rear shocks, since i have all of the shocks from my other 'Burb, sitting in the garage. they only had 9 months of use on them.

gonna have to see what their compressed/extended lengths are, see if they'll fit/work on the S-series.

 

As long as you have that metal peice to mount the top of the shocks they should work unless they are ridicously long

 

They work just fine on my jimmy

 

Im very interested in this as well... I wonder if the full size rears would bottom out under full compression when off roading. Im sure they would provide better droop travel though. Hmmm

 

It wouldnt be hard to move your shock mounts to fit a longer shock.

 

that was my main concern as well.

problem is, i can't get @ the shocks 'til April/May. my 'Burb doesn't come back out 'til the snow is all gone & the rain has fallen a few times. and since the shocks are on the mezzanine in my garage, that kinda makes 'em hard to get @.

if someone else has a set layin' around, by all means, measure 'em up. mine are KYB Gas-adjust's, just to compare.

 

I looked up the specs on the Autozone website...

Gabriel brand rear shocks for a 1997 k1500

extended length -26.81 inches
collapsed length -16.26 inches
stroke - 10.55 inches

Gabriel rears for a 1997 4x4 blazer (non zr2)

extended length - 23.95 inches
collapsed length - 14.4 inches
stroke - 9.55 inches

So this means that the FS shocks are about 2 inches longer fully compressed, but provides almost 3 inches in extension. Now we just need someone to go flex their suspension and take some measurements.

Also i wonder how different the valving is between them...

 

my initial guess would be a little stiffer than out Blazer/Jimmy's.

 

I agree, heavier vehicle would require a stiffer valving

 

I talked with a Rancho rep yesterday and we worked out what shocks a chevy blazer would need for a 0"-3" lift. They are actually the RS5000 that are used for Jeeps with 0"-3" lift

Fronts would need to be RS5113
Rears would need to be RS5227

They told me that there might be a need to either use a sleeve around your bolt or drill out the brackets because the bolts on Jeeps are a little larger.

We will see, They should be in before next monday and I will look into it.

I am pretty excited, I would take Rancho shocks over any other shocks any day of the week. They are affordable (RS5000 are $40 a piece) and improve your ride quality. Pro Comps ride stiff and bilsteins are expensive. There are a lot of other shocks out there, but I prefer Rancho. Plus shocks that are meant for either your vehicle or a vehicle of comperable size is a good idea. I would expect an S-10 Blazer to ride hella stiff if you use shocks from a full size blazer or truck.