Shock absorber length

[zr2yz125]

Does anyone have the compressed and uncompressed length for the shocks? Thanks!

Mine is an M1123 that was previously uparmored.

 

[Mogman]

First WELCOME to SS!!
I cannot help as I do not have any lose shocks to measure, a quick Google search came up with this, I hope it helps.

HMMWV DIY – Changing Humvee shocks | Gear Report

How To Change the shocks on the HMMWV HUMVEE M998 Hummer Thank you to Damage Control Customs for the video: http://bit.ly/DCCustoms HMMWV shocks Humvees come in a wide variety of configurations. So, naturally, there a few different HMMWV shocks options. As far as I can tell, all of the standard...

gear-report.com

May be some disagreement
https://www.4x4parts.com/i-23898614-monroe-heavy-duty-shock-absorber.html

4x4Parts Rear Shock Absorber H1 M998 Hummer HMMWV

H1 Hummer HMMWV M998 Rear Shock Absorber

www.4x4parts.com

 

[Mogman]

But I suspect shocks are not going to give you the ride you hope for, there are many here that can attest to the woes of the "de-armored" HMMWV spring stiffness.
Try some Google searches and check out the ones on SS about that subject.

 

[Coug]

yeah, if it's an M1123 the uparmored springs have a compression rate that's about 3 times that of the standard M998, so shocks won't really make it softer.

 

[zr2yz125]

Thanks, I've been doing a lot of searching and reading on the topic and keep coming up with conflicting information. The 4x4parts link agrees with the other dimensions I've seen - I have not really started looking for springs yet, but I see that they have the stock variable rate springs as well as the stock front springs. This is a good link to have if I have to go the spring route.


When I'm offroad and cross up the suspension, it does flex - which makes me hope the springs may not be the major contributor to my complaint. The problem is when I'm driving on a gravel road - it wants to shake the fillings out of my teeth.

I'm going to disconnect the shock absorbers and drive it around the yard and down the road. That experiment will let me know how much the shock is contributing to the poor ride. I do a lot of wrenching but changing out these springs worries me - it's a bit bigger than a strut spring on the family car!

I found the below chart. I mic'd my springs at diameter 1.20", however they do have a thick layer of undercoating on them - so that makes the measurement about worthless.

 

[Mogman]

I do not think that is a complete list, I do not see any 7700lb GVWR unless they are the same as the 10,300LB I have also seen 10,000lb GVWRs
You can scrape the undercoating off, springs should not be undercoated

 

[juanprado]

I don't think shocks are the problem and probably help more than you realize. It is the stiffness of those uparmored springs to carry the weight that is giving you the nasty ride. I would recommend using the stock m998 springs and if worried about the 6.5 motor possibly being heavier than the 6.2; use the m1038 that has a winch front springs.

 

[Mogman]

The two engines are virtually he same weight, you have to change the spring mounts (rear at least not sure about the front) to go to the softest springs which were more than enough for my M998 with an S-788 shelter on it. and my other M998 with helmet top, winches on both ends and a custom front bumper/brush guard Gross weight of 7400lb

 

[zr2yz125]

I'm not sure what the different spring mounts look like, but the front and rears appear to be the same. Would I have to change them out to use a lighter spring? These are the rears.

 

[zr2yz125]

I found this in another thread, this must be the cast mount with variable rate spring, and I must have the stamped with the MAK spring?

Now I need to find a softer spring that works with my spring mounts and maintain ride height

 

[lpcoating]

Do a search on here and you'll find threads on this topic.

 

[Mogman]

Do a search on here and you'll find threads on this topic.

You will get better results if you do a Google search even for SS posts.

 

[Coug]

Apparently more than one set of springs in the MAK because mine has the rear cast spring mount and heavy, single rate springs.
It can be either mount in the rear.

 

[zr2yz125]

You will get better results if you do a Google search even for SS posts.

Searching google does work better than searching SS directly…who would have thought??

 

[zr2yz125]

I unbolted the front shocks and drove down my gravel road. Still couldnt do much more than 13 mph, but it was better than the 8 mph I was doing before.

 

[zr2yz125]

I also did a flex test where I put RF and LR in the air.

I measured the top of the tire to the bottom of wheel well to see how much flex I'm getting. All numbers in inches - positive Delta means spring is compressed.



The gravel road test shows that the MAK shocks are contributing to the overly rough ride (I've owned leaf sprung Jeeps and the HMMWV is STIFF).
The flex test shows the springs need to be softer.
Anyone who is running the variable spring setup in the rear - is it worth going that route?
It appears there is only one style of cast upper spring perch.