Please provide your opinions on my new shocks search

[elsie]

I have 7 years and 35k miles on a thorough Old Man Emu suspension upgrade on my 1988 FJ62. I put medium springs with a 2.5 inch lift and medium shocks on the back, and light springs with a 2.5 inch lift and light shocks on the front, of course with new steering dampener, bushings, etc. all with grease points abounding that I grease religiously. Everything is in good shape except it is time for new shocks and dampener.

After installing all of this that I got from the great guys at TLC, the first couple of years it all was good, not perfect, but good. After that it became progressively too rough on the back but great on the front on pavement, and great on the back but too soft on the front off road. I drive like a bat out of hell on pavement and off road is truly off road on my 110 acre ranch, rough, lots of "Oh Jesus!" stream and terrain crossings, often only three wheels on the ground.

I had adjustable Rancho 9000 shocks 10-15 years ago on my F150 4x4 ranch truck and loved them since I could change the ride for the conditions; but now understand Rancho's quality has gone to pot. I'd love to have what I had then on the truck but now for Elsie my '88 FJ62. I went with the OMEmu shocks then instead of Ranchos because the TLC guys advised it. They still stand behind that opinion, which I respect, but I'd love to have adjustable. So, they are looking into it for me, as I am, as I am also asking for your thoughts and opinions. Thanks for whatever you may add from your experiences.

 

[OSS]

Rancho 9000s set near their maximum setting can break the rear upper shock mounts on dirt roads. They broke mine. The only safe setting to use that will minimize breaking the mounts is the medium setting or lower. There's lots of cheaper shocks that will do the same job. Stiff shocks can eventually break the dinky 60 upper shock mounts both front & rear if rough dirt roads are often traveled.

 

[elsie]

Since no one has replied to this thread yet, I figure I'll add to it to help anyone else who is dealing with the same issue. So far, unless someone else adds their two cents, it seems that Rancho shocks moved their production facility to Arkansas and ever since their products suck, which is a shame because they used to be great. On top of that, they don't even make a shock that will perform properly with the 2.5 inch lift from these OMEmu springs. And, worse than that, neither does Fox, Bilstein, or Rubicon that has the correct fit connections. Skyjacker makes one that will connect, but is limited to a 2 inch lift at full range, so if you get a bit hairy dangling wheels and twisting through offset topography, you can overextend and pop a shock, and there goes your day. OMEmu Nitrocharger Sport seems to be the only quality shock that will fully handle the lift and have the connections that will fit, and not even OME is planning on adding any new shocks for this vehicle like the ones they are coming out with for the 80s and newer. The story is the same on the steering dampener, one quality product available. This info comes from ARB, TLC, Mike's Off Road, 4Wheel Parts, Rock Auto, Carid, and Rancho. It's like Henry Ford selling his model T in any color you want as long as it's black. Hopefully someone else reading this will have dug deeper than I and can open up this rather bland buffet of one shock in heavy, medium, or light, and one steering dampener. Geez Louise.

 

[89BIGBLUE]

Check the tough dog stuff trail tailor has...I don't know if they're different or not, but might be worth looking into.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Check the tough dog stuff trail tailor has...I don't know if they're different or not, but might be worth looking into.

Tough Dog offers 3 steering stabilizers and 2 shock options for the 60 series. I have several 60 series and other kits out to MUD, EXPO Portal and even to a few shops now. Approx. 30 in all to 60 owners. @red66toy @NookShneer @Kleatus @Spike Strip to name a few that have installed, experienced or bought from me here. Even Tor from @torfab contacted me about them and complimented me on finding Tough Dog. He got to ride in @Kleatus rig a few weeks back. The foam cell shocks are a completely different animal than any gas charged shock on the market that most 60 owners are used to dealing with.. Tough Dog makes a 35mm bore gas charged shock (similar to OME, Ironman, EFS, etc) for some vehicles, but they think its too light duty for our steel sleds.

Maybe a few of these guys can chime in on their thoughts about the ride and experiences with TD so far.


Steering

A) standard HD stabilizer
B) RTC - return to center
C) 9 Stage adjustable

Shocks

A) 41mm bore foam cell
B) 40mm 9 stage adjustable foam cell

The 41mm bore foam cell has been awarded several shock of the year awards from 2010 to current in Australia. They are continually pushing their design, engineering team and manufacturing partners to make a better product for older and newer vehicles alike.

They are no newcomer either. They started designing and manufacturing suspensions and components in 1984. Here's a link for a quick read and to look at Tough Dog. The builder app is fun to play with. I use it several times a day instead of looking through the paper catalogs.

http://www.euro4x4parts.com/images/4wd_action_165_tough_dog.pdf

Tough Dog 4WD Suspension | Home

 

[the gimpey one]

Tough Dog offers 3 steering stabilizers and 2 shock options for the 60 series. I have several 60 series and other kits out to MUD, EXPO Portal and even to a few shops now. Approx. 30 in all to 60 owners. @red66toy @NookShneer @Kleatus @Spike Strip to name a few that have installed, experienced or bought from me here. Even Tor from @torfab contacted me about them and complimented me on finding Tough Dog. He got to ride in @Kleatus rig a few weeks back. The foam cell shocks are a completely different animal than any gas charged shock on the market that most 60 owners are used to dealing with.. Tough Dog makes a 35mm bore gas charged shock (similar to OME, Ironman, EFS, etc) for some vehicles, but they think its too light duty for our steel sleds.

Maybe a few of these guys can chime in on their thoughts about the ride and experiences with TD so far.


Steering

A) standard HD stabilizer
B) RTC - return to center
C) 9 Stage adjustable

Shocks

A) 41mm bore foam cell
B) 40mm 9 stage adjustable foam cell

The 41mm bore foam cell has been awarded several shock of the year awards from 2010 to current in Australia. They are continually pushing their design, engineering team and manufacturing partners to make a better product for older and newer vehicles alike.

They are no newcomer either. They started designing and manufacturing suspensions and components in 1984. Here's a link for a quick read and to look at Tough Dog. The builder app is fun to play with. I use it several times a day instead of looking through the paper catalogs.

http://www.euro4x4parts.com/images/4wd_action_165_tough_dog.pdf

Tough Dog 4WD Suspension | Home

Can you just buy the shocks or have to get complete kit? On my cell at work so hard to tell.

 

[White Stripe]

What's wrong with rancho 9000s? They have a lifetime warranty I believe.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Can you just buy the shocks or have to get complete kit? On my cell at work so hard to tell.

I sell individual components as well. We haven't got everything on the website yet. But currently with shutting down and liquidating as much as possible so I don't have to move it, I'm very limited on stock outside of a few remaining light 60 kits.

Also most of the shocks and shock components are made by Tenneco, Inc (Monroe) and Gabriel in the US or Mexico and then batch tested in the Tough Dog facility in Blacktown, NSW. Adjustment valves, knobs and misc poly bushings are sourced from overseas.

Jason

 

[Kleatus]

I've got about 3,300 miles on my Tough Dog kit now (FJ62 with the lighter of the two spring options). Haven't been driving it as much the last couple weeks, but still pleased with the kit. I haven't really noticed any settling or breaking in beyond maybe the first tank of gas.

I'm no shock expert and haven't ridden in many 60's but have been around a lot of vehicles and used plenty of them hard. That being said, these shocks do seem to have a very high threshold for soaking up hits. Seems like they will respond in a "smoother" fashion than I expect when pushed hard or when dropping off ledges.

For example, at say slow walking speed mph the speed bumps at the Home Depot near me (decent sized ones) seem kinda bumpy in the 62, the suspension isn't doing much at that speed while hitting them straight on. The wife's 08 Xterra with the off road suspension and Bilstein shocks soaks them up better at the slow walking speed. Same for the 2500HD. But go over the same speed bumps at 15 + mph and the cruiser seems better. The Xterra bottoms out hard and the pickup just gets bumpier.

I hooked up a camper to see how the truck liked it the other day. Probably had about 2-300lba of other stuff in the truck as well. At 60 mph with the camper (not exactly sure on weight or tounge load?) the truck handled great. The engine wasn't super happy, but seemed willing to cooperate. The transmission on the other hand.. let's just say suspicions completely confirmed, and the '62 will not be used to pull the camper. But I am glad to know that the braking, steering and ride were all very good.

Kinda like tires - unless you're a sponsored off road racer or something most of us myself included don't have enough seat the seat time with all the options or experience to make the choices based solely on our own experience, so we have to rely on input from others.

Sorry for lots of rambling that is in the end very much end user-subjective, but yeah point is there is more than one option

 

[Spike Strip]

Unfortunately, my set is still collecting dust until it's not 100 degrees and 44% humidity ....

But I have to say everything from TD looks very beefy and high quality ... I can't wait to install.

 

[HemiAlex]

I'm running Bilstein 5100's with OME heavies and it rides awesome. Completely not like my friends trucks with OME shocks.

If you want part numbers let me know. They were also $80 cheaper than OME.

 

[Godwin]

I'm running Bilstein 5100's with OME heavies and it rides awesome. Completely not like my friends trucks with OME shocks.

If you want part numbers let me know. They were also $80 cheaper than OME.

Please post up the part numbers. With about 200k on them my OME shocks are in need of replacement. Where did you order the Bilsteins?

 

[HemiAlex]

This is what I used per bilsteins suggestion when I gave them the spring rates and load of my truck.

I paid $321 for all the shocks with a no tax special from 4wheel parts.

I've been very happy with both 400 lbs over and completely empty and the 33-105606 rear.

I'm running CS005F and CS005RA/RB and it rides great.

I welcome anyone in the Houston area to drive my truck to see how comfy it is.

 

[DavidAW]

This is what I used per bilsteins suggestion when I gave them the spring rates and load of my truck.

I paid $321 for all the shocks with a no tax special from 4wheel parts.

I've been very happy with both 400 lbs over and completely empty and the 33-105606 rear.

I'm running CS005F and CS005RA/RB and it rides great.

I welcome anyone in the Houston area to drive my truck to see how comfy it is.

Hi Alex,
Thanks for posting your details.
Is your lift around 3 inch?
Was the valving choice you made for the front based on your heavy bumper?
I'm thinking about getting the same size/travel with the softer option right above yours in the chart.

 

[HemiAlex]

It's tough to say what my actual lift is. I was 2" lower than stock height do to worn springs.

My friend @houstonfj40 has a 60 with a slight older ome lift and the step down in shocks up front. Rides amazing and that's what sold me on these shocks.

Valving choice was made on heavy bumper, and winch/extra battery soon to come.

 

[Willard]

Dobinsons. Put these on my 60 and I like them. I have them matched with a set of Med/Heavy IronMan springs.
If your interested contact crikeymike who is also a vendor here. Do a search and you will find info.
I have never been a fan of Rancho shocks and I can tell most of you the F150 guys hate them. They were good once, but as noted they have gone way down hill.

I have heard good things about the tough dog to.

 

[Jcarr210]

I didn't want to spend big bucks and gave doetsch-tech shocks a try a couple years ago and they've been perfectly fine for my city driving and my 150 mile drives to the beach with another 30-50 miles down the beach. I bought the twin tube shocks but they have a 2.0 monotube with 46mm bore for like $65.

Doetsch Mono tube Shock