Rear shock lengths/suspension travel

I've just fitted Jimnybits +3" springs and shock extenders all round on my 2006 VVT, I now have zero down travel on the rear suspension; I've measured the current shocks at 17" fully extended. Can anyone tell me how much down travel they have on their rear suspension so I can try to estimate what length shocks I need?

Why not just get +3" shocks from Jimnybits that match the springs?

+3" compared to what? before I spend the money I want to know what I'm getting, I'm a design engineer so I'm fussy about these things. I'm already +1.5" with the extensions so something isn't adding up, I would expect to have at least 2" down travel with a stock setup. I can drop the axle about 3" with the shocks disconnected before I get a problem with the brake line so that's 4.5" over what I had.

we sent 21" fully extended rear shocks for 3" springs, based from early rear shocks that measured at 18" fully extended

Rus

Rhinoman wrote: +3" compared to what? before I spend the money I want to know what I'm getting, I'm a design engineer so I'm fussy about these things. I'm already +1.5" with the extensions so something isn't adding up, I would expect to have at least 2" down travel with a stock setup. I can drop the axle about 3" with the shocks disconnected before I get a problem with the brake line so that's 4.5" over what I had.

Sorry, you're fuzzy about these things but still install shock extensions?

What did you expect?

Loose those extensions and get shocks that match. If you want it right you measure everything. The springs total length. Spring length compressed, distance between shocks mounts when axle sits on bump stops and so on.

With all these data, you can start looking for the right shock length.
Best thing is probably to get in touch with Rus @ Jimnybits regarding shocks. Unless you want to pay £££ for Fox, Bilstein or such

HotBits also make excellent racing shocks for the Jimny. Specifically to whatever length you want. But they are around £250 each

Fussy isn't the same word as fuzzy! I lifted it 2" and fitted 2" shock extensions, what I would expect is to have the same down travel as a stock system. The extensions they came with a kit that I bought used. I'm quite familiar with suspension design and I am measuring everything but I needed to buy new shocks and nobody publishes the lengths, which is why I wanted to know what other people were running and what results they were getting. I'm also aware that the springs and shocks changed in 2005 but I haven't found any details regarding the differences.
I had a chat with Martin yesterday and he provided the dimensions for the shocks that he supplies, so I've ordered some of those. This car is my DD so I need it sorted fast, there is no adequate public transport between where I live in the countryside and where I work and a one way taxi ride is £30. For the record his shocks for a 2"-3" lift are 22" fully extended. That is OK for my needs, I can move the top mounts if I need to adjust the position of them after I've determined the correct length for the bump stops.

Rus - thanks for those dimensions. I found some other dimensions for another aftermarket 'stock' shock which gave a fully extended length of 17.5" so there seems to be some spread there, do you know if the shock you measured was OEM? Does it take long for the springs to break in? it is a used kit but doesn't have many miles on it.