Dirty Koala
SILVER Star
My 2 cents. Just like Adam I have experience with Slinky Stage 1, 4 and 5 shocks and I also have experience with both HD and EHD coils.
I am not easy on my two 80’s, lots of hard driving that give the shocks a good workout.
On my super heavy Cummins 6BT swapped 80 that was 8500lbs constant with all the gear I had, I moved from HD to EHD coils in the rear as I was able to overrun the support of the springs more often that I should have been. Once moving up to the EHD coils that load was properly supported.
On my Turbo LX450 I started out with stage 1 shocks and HD coils with no additional weight added except a lightweight tube front bumper and winch. That setup rode great until I started to add weight as the build progressed. I haven’t weighed the current setup, but I suspect it’s in the 7500-7800 range now. I switched out the stage 1 shocks for stage 5 dual bypass shocks which are amazing.
It takes a bit of time to fine tune your compression and rebound adjusters to get the performance you want for the given weight and driving conditions, but once you dial it in...oooh boy it’s fun .
Having build a considerable number of cruisers, hilux’s, Rams, 4runners and Jeep’s over the years. I have come to the conclusion that if I am going to spend money beyond making the engine and drivetrain reliable, the 1st area that I will do that will be in getting the suspension and handling dialed in. Having a nice driving experience off-road and on-road just makes you want to drive it more!
I am not easy on my two 80’s, lots of hard driving that give the shocks a good workout.
On my super heavy Cummins 6BT swapped 80 that was 8500lbs constant with all the gear I had, I moved from HD to EHD coils in the rear as I was able to overrun the support of the springs more often that I should have been. Once moving up to the EHD coils that load was properly supported.
On my Turbo LX450 I started out with stage 1 shocks and HD coils with no additional weight added except a lightweight tube front bumper and winch. That setup rode great until I started to add weight as the build progressed. I haven’t weighed the current setup, but I suspect it’s in the 7500-7800 range now. I switched out the stage 1 shocks for stage 5 dual bypass shocks which are amazing.
It takes a bit of time to fine tune your compression and rebound adjusters to get the performance you want for the given weight and driving conditions, but once you dial it in...oooh boy it’s fun .
Having build a considerable number of cruisers, hilux’s, Rams, 4runners and Jeep’s over the years. I have come to the conclusion that if I am going to spend money beyond making the engine and drivetrain reliable, the 1st area that I will do that will be in getting the suspension and handling dialed in. Having a nice driving experience off-road and on-road just makes you want to drive it more!
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