[PARAGON]

gas charged shocks are "charged" for only one reason. To keep the dampening oil in suspension. The compressed gas inside the shock keeps the oil from frothing.

The negative side of that is that it forces the shock to full extension. But it's not enough to pick up a vehicle.

Put it this way, the pressure in the shock is low enough that one can simply push the shock back into compression. That is not enough "power" to lift the truck which would likely be over 1500 lbs at the to rear corners.

Back to the height of the vehicle when you removed the shocks, that doesn't really mean much. The height is dynamic as you move and the shocks work themselves as the truck moves over rough surfaces. Drive around on the new shocks for a few days and if afterwards you still don't like the way the truck looks, get some coil spaces to raise the rear.

IMO, it's dumb to sacrifice ride quality and function of the suspension just to have the truck sit level when it's still and the Ranchos are the shiznit.