4 replies to this topic

[fenghuang]

Shocks seem to be made for either standard or lowered ride height.
How lowered does a Mini need to be to need lowered shocks and how does that relate to using hi-los?

[Leonrjohnson]

SHOCK ABSORBER TOP BRACKETS FOR LOWERED SUSPENSION P/N C-AJJ3359 from Minispares allow standard front shocks to be used on lowered suspension. I got Gaz Shocks to make me some rear shocks at a modified extension length so the HiLo stays engaged when the suspension is fully extended. Rear shocks I got made are 14.5 inches open and 10.0 inches closed (measured from centre of lower mount eye to centre of top shaft). 

[Spider]

For road use, even if your mini is 'low' fit standard length shocks.

[Leonrjohnson]

I found on the rear suspension that at the lowered position that I wanted, the HiLo popped out of the cone when the rear arm was full droop(using standard shocks). I had some custom made shocks (shorter extended length) so that they stopped before the HiLos popped out. I have had these shocks for 5 years now, and work fine.

I fitted the offset brackets on the front so that the shocks wouldnt bottom out when the cones were  fully compressed (hitting a speed bump or pothole).

[Fast Ivan]

entirely depends on how low you go and what shocks you want to use, they are all have different open and closed lengths between manufacturers, lower your mini to where you want it then measure the distance between the mounting pins on the front and the mounting pin and the underside of the arch on the rear, these distances want to be roughly the mid point of the shocks stroke.

Failing that get some kyb's as they have enough stroke to cover a lot of applications