The rear bump stops on the VX are about 7"-8" long, in a figure "8" shape. But generally have ONLY about 1/2" clearance from the axle or cross member (or whatever it hits)...thus the VX slams into them at the slightest bump....which makes the extreme jarring sensation. Those of us that have cut them in half are indeed allowing for more suspension travel to make our ride more "tolerable".
You're correct, it makes it more likely the tire would hit something...so most off-roaders wouldn't want to do this I'm told. I don't know why they'd buy the shorter polyurethane stops either?
I don't do extreme off-roading, so I was willing to make the sacrifice for the benefit of a better ride on my daily dirt roads. This upcoming Moab trip will be my first with the shorter stops....I'll know a lot better how it affects things after that trip.
Can see OEM rear bump stop here, black thing with the tan color on the bottom of it (that would be my desert dirt) on it. Pic was taken in my garage, so check out how there (WAS) virtually NO clearance on mine. Cut in half, I have about 3"- 4" now. Ahhhhh....much better! Just eliminates the SLAMMING effect in the rear, by no means do I have a smooth ride, even with the Ranchos set low.
Just an FYI, here's one of the front bumps stops (I believe there's 2 sets up front)...not much clearance there either.
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