Don't forget to check out Doetsch Tech
Shock Absorber Recommendation
- Thread starter cosfj40
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Make sure the toe in is .25". Make sure the sag box adjustment screw is set right as they do need adjustment over time to retighten them.
When you say .25", is that a difference of .25 between the fronts and rears of the tires, or is it .25 front to center of the hub? That is, .25 difference between the radius or the diameter of the wheel? And any idea how many degrees tow-in that works out to?
Thanks a lot,
B.
Ok ending the thread hijack with this...
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/7347-how-adjust-steering-after-new-tie-rod-ends.html
My original question was about the difference in the performance in the shocks themselves. My steering and front end are fine, and lets assume so for the sake of argument. hearing how great bilsteings are, can I expect a noticeable difference from the rancho 9000s I have now? Thanks
I personally think Rancho 9000s are a great shock for a street and dirt rig. I had them on my 4Runner for years and I just bought a new set for my 40. You can't beat having adjustable valving.
I know Bilsteins are great shocks, and I have them on my street truck. But, I think you can't do much better than having an adjustable shock for a multi-purpose vehicle.
I'm sure others will have different opinions but this is my experience
B.
I know Bilsteins are great shocks, and I have them on my street truck. But, I think you can't do much better than having an adjustable shock for a multi-purpose vehicle.
I'm sure others will have different opinions but this is my experience
B.
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2008
- Threads
- 67
- Messages
- 1,887
- Location
- El Salvador and Washington, D.C.
- Website
- www.facebook.com
Well I always have a parts sourcing issue here so for a long time I was running Gabriels. That's all there was here really nothing else fit my 40 with a 4 inch lift. Just went to Guatemala and picked up a set of Rancho 9000. I am fiddling with the adjustment now going from 5 down to 3 and see how it goes.
John
John
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2008
- Threads
- 29
- Messages
- 150
- Location
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Website
- www.freedomjunkie.net
- Thread starter
- #28
Sounds like Ranchos might be the way to go. I got to admit I like the idea that they are adjustable.
i run rs 9000's , never had a problem with them and like how it handles . plus they have a lifetime warranty .
can't say anything for bilsteins because i have never run them .
can't say anything for bilsteins because i have never run them .
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2008
- Threads
- 67
- Messages
- 1,887
- Location
- El Salvador and Washington, D.C.
- Website
- www.facebook.com
Update:
I'm really starting to love the Rancho 9000X. I have really stiff springs from SOR and even with those the street ride set on 1 in the rear and 2 in the front has smoothed significantly. So 1 in the rear and 2 in the front for the street. The next club trail ride is in a few weeks. I'm gonna air down and set them at 5 all around and see if I have good trail feel or if I need to go higher. Again adjustability is working for me.
John
I'm really starting to love the Rancho 9000X. I have really stiff springs from SOR and even with those the street ride set on 1 in the rear and 2 in the front has smoothed significantly. So 1 in the rear and 2 in the front for the street. The next club trail ride is in a few weeks. I'm gonna air down and set them at 5 all around and see if I have good trail feel or if I need to go higher. Again adjustability is working for me.
John
Last edited:
I've got the SOR springs as well with the kit supplied ES 3000 shock and it is stiff as hell....my springs are well broken in. I want to go with either OME or as reccomended the Bilsteins to help smooth things out when I get some money together. With a 4" lift I am running about 20" from pin to pin on my shocks front and back...so I will have to check if there is an OME to fit that size. Of the two choices which do you think is a cushier ride for mostly street driving?
Box Rocket
SILVER Star
I had Rancho RS9000's on my 40 for several years and really liked them a lot. Left them on the softest setting on the road. On the trail I had them set to a mid-range or firm setting. Helped control things a bit better on steep climbs etc. They would be a good choice.
But I like the Bilsteins even better. Worth the money. I prefer the 5150s with the piggy back reservior.
But I like the Bilsteins even better. Worth the money. I prefer the 5150s with the piggy back reservior.
I have the same setup as calixto and mine is stiff as hell too. Will the mentioned Bilstein's work just fine with the SOR springs or do I need to find new springs while I am at it?
Thanks
Thanks
I went to the Bilstien site to look for shocks, and came up with 2 different 5100 models for different lifted heights, 2 or 4 inches, I know I am not stock lift, but have no idea what I am at (nothing to compare it to)...
Should I just measure the length at full extension, and go with 5150's which use that as the guide for sizing?? I haven't priced the two, but I imagine the 5150s are more....
If I am 2.5" lift (what I'm guessing) do i run the 2" bilstiens? I would assume the 4s would bottom out?
Should I just measure the length at full extension, and go with 5150's which use that as the guide for sizing?? I haven't priced the two, but I imagine the 5150s are more....
If I am 2.5" lift (what I'm guessing) do i run the 2" bilstiens? I would assume the 4s would bottom out?
The only way to be sure is to measure your own ride. No one else can answer this for you. To measure for shocks, do the following:
1. Remove your shocks. Make sure nothing is hanging up your suspension like brake lines.
2. Jack up opposite corners of your rig (i.e. right front and left rear) as far as they will go. Compress the suspension fully.
3. Measure the eye to eye distance on both the front and rear. This is your compressed length.
4. Drop the rig back to the ground.
5. Place jack under the frame and lift up the front until the tire comes off the ground.
6. Measure eye to eye. This is the extended length for the front.
7. Repeat 5 & 6 for the rear.
8. Call your favorite shock manufacturer and give them your numbers. They can recommend the right shock. You can also look up the measurments on the internet for some manufacturers. Remember that you want a shock with a slightly shorter compressed length and a slightly longer extended length than what you measure.
You can also go to the Bilstein 5125 (basically the 5100 series shocks for lifted applications) website here - Bilstein - and determine what you need. Go here - Bilstein - if you want info on other Bilstein shock series (i.e. 7100 or 9100 series).
Good luck!
Good explanation, FF LC Freak. This exactly what Jim at Downey told me to do to get the right Bilstein 5100 series shock. Planning on measuring mine while I've got the rig half pulled apart for my head gasket rebuild.
Good write up!
Quick question...there must be a "standard" number for a stock ride like my '64. Just wondering if those who kept their rigs stock came up with the same shock numbers...anyone know if stock owners used the same Bilstein stock numbers? Anyone have those numbers on hand?
Note: My '64 will not be a trail rig.
Quick question...there must be a "standard" number for a stock ride like my '64. Just wondering if those who kept their rigs stock came up with the same shock numbers...anyone know if stock owners used the same Bilstein stock numbers? Anyone have those numbers on hand?
Note: My '64 will not be a trail rig.
