I recently ordered two new lift support shocks for my 05 lr3, from atlantic british, I tried installing them today and they are about 1/2 inch to long, and almost impossible to compress, I called a.b. and they assured me those were the right lift supports, I told them they were a 1/2 inch longer than the oem and they said just compress them and they will work, any tips on compressing these things and getting them on the ball joint

 

Sorry, I don't really have much help to offer. I know the stock struts are quite strong, I want to say 90 lbs or so, so yes they will be hard to compress. I'd suggest maybe hooking it to the frame then using a heavy leather glove or something else to protect your palm while you push the rod in. Having an extra set of hands around certainly wouldn't hurt when it comes time to pop it on the ball.

Alternatively, you *may* be able to wrap a ratchet strap around it off the truck, compress it down and use the strap to hold it, then pop it on and release the strap. I haven't actually tried this, but it might work.

As for the extra 1/2", I don't think that will hurt at all. If you look at the stock strut when it's closed you'll see it doesn't use up all the rod travel anyway, so there's room to play with.

 

use a hilift?

 

so i found out those struts were for a different vehicle, oem were 19 1/2 " long the ones they sent me were 21" they would not compress enough to get the gate shut, but they were very good to deal with and sent new shocks my way that afternoon!!