how do I tell...

Don't try to compress them to measure. You'll hurt yourself. No need. Measure the extended length from center eye to eye. Then, with the shock fully extended, measure the amount of chrome shaft that's sticking out the shock body. Subtract this from the first measurement and that's pretty much your compressed length.

Jeep more or less looks stock height with maybe an add-a-leaf stuck in the spring pack (front or rear, can't remember). Those coils are probably giving a slight amount of lift. That thing must ride like a tank. Ditch the coils. I agree they could snap the lower shock mounts if you give it a good hit off road. Some RS5000s, ES3000, Black Diamond, Superlift, etc. On an older CJ like this with stiff leaf springs you're really not gonna notice a whole lot in damping difference anyway. I'd recommend a non pressurized gas shock like the Superlift or RS5000. No need for the pressurized gas unless you're gonna be prerunning.

The Superlift shocks are about $31 each. Or, if you really want gas pressurized, the Rubicon Express monotubes are under $300 for a set of 4. They're basically a rebadged Bilstein 5100. Then there's lots of other options in between.

 

If you start looking at Ranchos, stay away from the 5000's. They're cheap and probably the worst shock I've ever had on a vehicle. Seems a lot of people feel that way, too. I've had great luck with Skyjacker Nitro's on full size vehicles. My Bilsteins are great although a bit stiff at first.

 

Well, I am happy to report that after replacing the shackles with new stock shackles and installing a Prothane spring and shackle bushing set, the ride has vastly improved. Turns out the holes in the old (original) shackles had wallowed out where the bolt went through and were oval rather than round.

I went ahead and ordered some new shocks also, but I went cheap and got the Monro-Matic Plus brand. I'll hopefully get them installed next week.

 

Glad to hear it. I've also noticed that those 32s scrub a bit. Looks like the tread has seen better days. Assuming my CJ5 is stock height, what's the biggest tire I can replace them with that won't scrub? I'd like to keep the wheels.

 

What about those coil springs? Are they part of the shock, or are they a separate piece? Is it normal to have spring coils over the shocks?

I believe they are a heavy duty aftermarket shock. With the vehicle being over 30 years old it has probably had the shocks replaced at least once. My 75 has replacement Gabriel shocks and they don't have the coils.I would bet you will find on inspection they are aftermarket replacements.