short shockz

[r_i_d_a_h]

i have ordered some custom made springs for the rear of my non-irs sedan and im wondering what are the SHORTEST pair of shocks to suit my application?..or are all shortened-shocks the same??

and are there any physical diiference in length of the shockie compared to the stock when its stretched out??

custom springs- 3.5" lower from stock height

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

This can be a bit of a controversial statement. You don't really need shortened shocks on a lowered car. The shockies will compress to a smaller size than the springs when bottomed out. The suspension bottoms out on the bump stops before the shockies bottom out. The only issue as far as shockies are concerned is on 4WD's when you raise the suspension. You need extended length shocks then.

[r_i_d_a_h]

ahh i getcha

but will the shortened shockie keep the springs in place when i jack it up??

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Yes, that is the only advantage shortened shockies will give you.

[sircruisealotVS]

thats not quite true - sorry mate but i disagree, it is not the only advantage of having short travel shocks on lowered cars.
think of it this way, if you just have normal shocks the height difference with the springs is going to compress the shocks a bit straight away. so its ability to work efficiently is comprimised because it has less available travel to dampen impacts on the suspension whilst driving....and it will be a hell of alot rougher than it can be if you changed your normal shocks for short travel ones.
thats not to mention the fact that its a legal requirement for springs to be "captive" when the car is jacked up.

[craigvk]

You don't really need shortened shocks on a lowered car.

Sorry, yes you do! I have my back end lowered 2 inches. Without 2 inch lowered shocks, the springs can be removed when up on the hoist or doing the dukes of hazard jump off the bridge

Springs should never be removable when proper shocks are installed. I have lowered shocks in my car now and the back springs can't be removed without taking the shocks off.