I’ve done a search and cannot find any moderately recent info on shock upgrades after a lithium conversion as a result of reduced battery weight. The car is a 2001 4 passenger Gem with a R4F 125# battery upgrade. So the car is losing almost 400 pounds. There are many comments about the stiff ride after the conversion, but I can’t find any recommendations for a manufacturer or model number for shocks. Especially with actaul experience such as was it worth it?
That is a common problem. That 400lb fat man sitting on the back of the car is gone and now the springs have pushed the shocks to the upper limit.
Bumpy ride. Some one said to take a torch to the springs and “De-tune” them but that sounds wonkie and not even balance when complete.
Working on this problem is Ronney Picou. He is trying to get manufactured shocks that will solve this dilemma. We will see.
I have a 2005 e2 and a couple years ago I changed my front coilover shocks for a harsh ride. A year later I update my GEM with a lithium battery and like everyone else dropped 400 lbs and the ride is harsher then ever and need an upgrade.
I have some motorcycle air shocks that they were using for this problem. I upgraded to a 2018, so I never used them. Let me know if you’re interested. They were for a big Harley if I remember correctly.
If it were me, I would go down to my local scuba shop and buy some rubber coated weights. You can add 150 +/- pounds or whatever amount will please you and still take advantage of less weight than stock. You can add and subtract weight depending on how you are going to use the car this giving you a custom ride. You’ll be the envy of the whole block…
I replaced the shocks with motorcycle shocks from Amazon. 350mm will fit, but leaves the camper a little negative. 360mm is better but won’t fit without compression of the spring due to control are range of motion limits.
note I did have to trim the lower part of the upper mounts for clearance and use spacers on each side of the eyelets. But they look awesome and the ride is great. It was almost un drivable with the lithium batteries and OE springs.
