so i bought an 87 xj 4x4. guy said it had 3.5 RE lift and rustys track bar. i confirmed the track bar. currently its running 31x11.5x15's with no trimming just fine.i jacked up to do brakes and fully extended with no sway bar connected its 23.5 center hub to center lip. shocks stop from moving down any farther.. does this sound right? do i actually have a 3.5? are the shocks too small? there was no difference if sway was connected to not. same 23.5.

do i need longer shocks?

 

All the black at the top of that shock is where there is no up travel. I would guess that your stock lower control arms are hitting the back of the coil bucket mount on the axle and not letting that side droop any more than it is. Should be a noticeable difference with the sway bar on and off.

 

ill check on the lower arm. not quiet sure what too look for but will it be obvious?

think im going to throw a 4.5 non long arm kit on. then jan or feb buy the long arm add on. i need new shocks anyways. might as wel refresh everything

 

Where the stock arms bolt to the axle, they'll be hitting at the top of the arms, bottom of the axle bracket

 

Most kits I install on trucks do not come with long enough shocks. One reason I never suggest buying kits if you wheel.

Lift really does not matter. If I had no lift I have to run 25.5" shocks and extended brake lines.

So yes your short shocks are normal. If you want full travel out of your suspension you need to get longer shocks. Keep in mind you need to watch full compression also. You do not want your shock stopping your travel. Your bump stops need to do this.