Shock Length..? Need Help!

[YOguyDa]

I need to get shocks for a future lift, and dont know where to start . I plan on doing a 3" suspension lift, and because my front leafs are so fatigued and shocks are shot, im having trouble trying to figure out what i need.

Is it pretty standard as to how much depression and extension you need out of your shocks, to avoid maxing them out frequently?

Currently my truck is sitting at 15" in the front(from center of mounting bolt to bottom of shock tower, with bushing).
I took a shock off and measured it the same way, and fully extended it measures 16 1/2" with 6" of depression(without bushing).

So, With a 3" lift, do i just add that to my measurements?

Thanks in advance.

[TacoRunner]

If you are staying with the same shock towers, then I'd just add about two inches to the compressed length, or buy the ones that they offer with lift.

[YOguyDa]

For my front shocks, i have to find a shock that will fit right, since the 3/8 mounting holes in the front have been drilled out for 1/2 bolts. If i go off of what a company says will fit my truck, they'll send me 3/8. So, thats where my complication stems from...I can get shocks that are made for an 85-88 since they are 1/2in, but i just need to be clear about the length, since IFS shocks are probably shorter....

[mr4x42u]

I would wait to buy shocks untill you get the rig lifted and test flex it..this way you don't short yourself on shock length..