Shocks for SOA 60/62?

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Exiled

Exiled

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What are people running? Muddogbob, Lowtideride, Boston Mangler? I've been running the extended length Rancho 9000's but I never liked them 100% and now they're worn. I've been thinking of going with Bilsteins, but I'd prefer a stiffer shock than the Rancho 9000's. Any thoughts or recommendations? Running dual eyelet shocks front and rear.
 
Exiled,

I'll let you know how the Bilsteins perform. I will be running those on my SO 60 within a month. Got the 5125's ordered.
 
Well, this wont really answer your question, but as always i have to add my .02! :D

Shocks were a huge PITA for me to make a decision on when i had to but i based my decision on adjustability! There are so many different spring pack combination and rig weight variations that it is hard to find an off the shelf shock that will work well. Its physically impossible!!! I wanted something i could adjust that wouldnt put me in the poorhouse, so i went with the Rancho 9ks (newer style with 9 adjusments, not 5) and am now i am very happy with them after tuning them in, took a little bit, but my front springs are much flexier then the rear so in the front i run the dials on 6 and on the rear i run them on 3. Seems to work awesome and i got no complaints! Now if i load the truck up for a big trip, i might dial up the rears a little and if i add a winch, bla bla bla, you get the point.

I think every rig will have its own perfect shock based on its weight and spring pack and bla bla! The Rancho9k's worked for me!

Although compared to what this truck drove like before the SOA, anything would drive much nicer! I have never driven another soa rig so i have nothing to compare with but i am happy with mine

Anyone try the new Pro-Crap adjustables???

My .02
 
Last edited:
I run the same shock as Wagoneer...

Doetsch 8000 series:
39.95 from Summit
Hydraulic not gas
13.5" travel

However....I don't think they are stiff enough for a SOA wagon. They are a pretty soft shock, compared to a Bilstein 5125 or 5150. I actually plan on upgradeing to Bilstein 5125s (14" travel front/12" travel rear). I am also considering running Poly Performance BBCS in the front. The only problem being they are very LONG shocks 15" travel with a compressed length of 21.375 inches, and the 14" travel Bilsteins have a compressed length of 20.75".

I don't think you can go wrong with the Bilsteins.
 
I have lift springs on my pig so the fawkers are stiff...the rear has softer set of junk ones...edelbrok or somthing....the front has a super stiff set of shocks that i ordered from a no name shop...I forget the name of them but i had to use the high lift to compress them...sucker handles great on the road...and with the wieght of the pig it flexes like a mofo...I go check the label for ya tomorrow..

When i did the spring over i was running out of money and had to do somthing cheap...ran old stockers for a lil too :rolleyes:
 
Waggoner5 said:
Doetsch 8000 series:
39.95 from Summit
Hydraulic not gas
13" travel
Smooth ride

I have them on both my SOA 60s. Love em.
Click to expand...
What Gary said! Nice shock!
 
I'm running some skyjacker 7000s up front and the DT 8000s out back. I was gonna go DT all around, but the skyjackers just happened to be in stock at a local shop (Mount Logan OffRoad) when I needed them and they said they've ran them on lots of big heavy trucks with good results... Eitherway, both are some nice stiff shocks and both ran me about $35 each.

-Ferg-
 
Thanks, guys! Do you have a parts number, Gary? I've ridden in both your wagons and liked the ride. I've heard a lot about the Bilstein's, but I've never had a chance to try them out.
 
Rancho RS 5000

The longest ones they make with home made mounts. Troy
 
I am running the bilsteins on my 61. So far so good. I am running the 14" travel front and rear with the ford towers up front and a custom mount in the back.

So far I am very happy with them. I have only the gabriels and OEM too compare to in a sixty and rancho adj in a forty....I would take the bilstiens over the others.

I do wish the where a bit stiffer at times...especially in a front.

but everybody comments how nice the truck rides...
 
FJAfrica said:
I'm about to start the SOA project on my 62, how long are the Ford towers? We don't get them here, so I need to manufacture some. Does one have to cut the inside of the fender to fit them?
Click to expand...

No, the inner fenders do not "Have" to be trimmed to install these towers but you only get the full benefit of their height/length by cutting and mounting them higher up. I have heard of some people also just taking a 5lb sledge to the inner fender and massaging them open a little and fitting them. I think Ferg did this and has some pics.

Depending on where you are mounting your shocks also depends on how you can mount these towers. If you look to the left of the pics of my shock, you can see the stock shock mounting holes all ground down. I have the front shock mounted on top of the housing, so the Ford tower needed to be mounted 4-5" closer to the front of the rig then the stock mount which is actually the highest point on the inner fenderwell as well so i had to do the least amount of cutting also!

Here is a pic of mine:


Top Front Shock Mount
shockmounts2.jpg


Lower Front Shock Mount
soahardlines5.jpg


Also, here is a pic of the Ford tower mounted on the drivers side. Notice the difference in location to the stock mounts:
shockmounts1.jpg
 
Boston,

I noticed you bolted up your ford towers. How difficult was it drilling through the frame? Did you go through the entire framerail? What size bolts did you use?

I'm curious b/c I welded mine, but I was considering running a couple bolts in each for added strength.
 
muddogbob said:
Boston,

I noticed you bolted up your ford towers. How difficult was it drilling through the frame? Did you go through the entire framerail? What size bolts did you use?

I'm curious b/c I welded mine, but I was considering running a couple bolts in each for added strength.
Click to expand...

It was very simple drilling through the frame and i only drilled into one surface and then tapped the frame and bolted it to that with 1/2" bolts. The frame is fairly thick and it worked well, but obviously this isnt a permanent thing. I did this as a temporary mount that will be ok on the street until i get some other repairs done then i will weld them as well as bolt them.

As you can see in one of my pics, my steering box is leaking like a sieve! Once i get a new one in there and eliminate all the leaks in that area, i will then weld the tower to the frame. Trying to replace that steering box with that tower welded in there would be a bitch!

But if you just want to drill your frame and run bolts through it for extra support, that shouldnt be a problem.
 
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