COILOVER or AIR SHOCK IN REAR ???

[Wild at Heart]

I have a 4 link FJ40 RockCrawler in the works (Proffitts Cruisers) and wanted some opinions as to the rear shocks. I will have coilovers in the front. I have heard the rear is not that important and you can get just as good of performance from Coils or Coilovers. I know the coilovers will look cooler (match the front) but I have also heard about the 2" Swayaway (www.racerunnershocks.com) Air Shocks and wondered if anyone has tried them or could give me an opinion as to why you would consider one over the other. Thanks.

RA

 

[Mace]

I have not run the Air shocks in the rear but the main reason why I am not running air shocks in the rear is due to the potential for them to unload on decents.

That concern is from talking to numerous vendors concerning the air shocks..

If you have the dough go coilovers..

 

[Rock Taxi]

Unloading doesn't happen any worse than what I see with coils or coilovers on my rig with Fox shocks. In fact, it seems to be less than on some with coils.

Might just be my suspension design though. I don't know why some folks purportedly have an issue, nor do I know why I do not if there is that issue out there.

Ed

 

[Eskimo]

Mace - How would the air shocks have a greater tendency to unload in the rear over a coilover? My brain is just telling me they are a different execution of the same thing.

I.e., if the spring rate is 200lb-in, as the rig goes downhill and weight shifts, they would both unload at the same rate?

I'm cornfused.

 

[Mace]

From what I understand it has more to do with the dynamics of a Air only shock than anything else. With the heavier rigs out there you have to run considerably more PSI in the shock to achieve the same load rating.

However, like I said, I have not run them. I suspect that suspension geometry could play a HUGE part in how a rig behaves with air shocks.

I am sorely tempted to get a set of the 18" foxes for the rear of my rig. But I really like the current spring rates that I have with my rear coils.

Rear shocks are my bane right now..

 

[Eskimo]

Interesting. maybe another reason why Ed isn't having as much of an issue, there isn't a ton of sprung weight in the rear of his rig...

 

[Rock Taxi]

The rear is a total of 600 pounds lighter than the front. Total weight, not just sprung or unsprung.

Ed

 

[Wild at Heart]

Thanks for all the info. guys. I think I am going coilovers all the way around.

Russell

 

[Sloop Imports]

Any pics of the buggy 40? I too have my rig at Proffitts. The 60 is getting a 5.7 Vortec here shortly.

Peter

 

[Wild at Heart]

No pics yet but it will look very similar to the Green RockCrawler on Proffitts site without the 2 1/2t Rockwells & rear Steer. The changes: Dana 60 in front & 70 in rear. Vortec 350 from 98' Yukon, TH400 auto tranny, No windshield, front of roll cage will drop down through the firewall and will have a lexan windshield, Red. Need a name though.....Should be ready by mid- August

 

[gunmetalcruz]

If your light on dough 2.5 air fox's, I would love to have coil's all the way around. whatever you chose make sure you dial in a rear winch for sucking the rear down. Critical on all link rears. Anyone that says otherwise doesn't drop steep stuff. Say hi to those boys for me. What's your eta? Sounds like a sick rig. Wheelbase? 112? Names how about WAR AXE.

 

[Rock Taxi]

I have been looking at some pictures of my rig on downhills.

It appears the front AND rear unload to some degree "equally" when I am really steep in a nose down position (like nearing vertical) which is why must be why it does not feel like it is unloading.

Kind of weird to look at, but that is what I am seeing it do.

Ed

 

[Mace]

that actually does make sense.

rear limit straps are probably a good idea.