Shocks...Semi-Hardcore

[PKP80]

Since most of the other forums run relatively simple setup I thought you all might be able to help out more so than the others.

I'm looking at doing either a Fox RAcing 2.0 setup or Bilstein 7100 shock setup for my 96 80 series that is moving toward the hardcore corner although it hasn't been shortbus chopped or Hanna Quality Chopped YET.

Just wanted to get feed back on what you guys think since experience with these shocks are favored in this forum. Lookin for comments on either of the 2 from experience both on (if you have) and off road. I'm not about to make the 80 a trailer Queen and will be driving to all locations.

Thanks for you $.02

Sam

 

[Dirty White Boy]

It may not be the answer you're looking for, but, I'm running Poly Performance BBCS on my truck. I have found that they perform well on road and off. For $100/ea, you can't beat them. Good luck.

 

[PKP80]

It may not be the answer you're looking for, but, I'm running Poly Performance BBCS on my truck. I have found that they perform well on road and off. For $100/ea, you can't beat them. Good luck.

I didn't even consider those shocks, I"m going to look into it.
thnx whiteboy

 

[lavarunner]

what about the bilstein 5150?

 

[calamaridog]

What mounting pattern do you need? Are you willing to have new mounts fabricated? Are you doing the work yourself?

I would consider Racerunner shocks by SAW as well...

Heck, you might as well just do coilovers since you have a coil sprung suspension

And why not use 2.5" instead of the 2"? The price isn't much different.

 

[PKP80]

What mounting pattern do you need? Are you willing to have new mounts fabricated? Are you doing the work yourself?

I would consider Racerunner shocks by SAW as well...

Heck, you might as well just do coilovers since you have a coil sprung suspension

And why not use 2.5" instead of the 2"? The price isn't much different.

-I am planning on using the eyelid adapters via Man-a-fre or Rubicon EXpress in order for the shocks to work in the stock locations complemented by Slee's 6" Springs and 1.5" spacing.

-I am trying to stay in the $800 range for all 4 shocks so about 200 a piece.

-Racerunners re nice but a little pricey for my wallet and forget coilovers at this stage maybe the next phase of build will have a KING Coilover setup.

-the 2.5's are more than the 2.0's by about 100 over the top per shock. I'm thinking I might try and up the pot for better shocks

I'm looking in the used market to be able to get a better set of used shocks for my range.

 

[kiwimidi]

why do i not see much about rancho shocks on here?? they seem to be the best for our changing terrain down here. and they are not too badley priced.

 

[calamaridog]

I'm not a fan of the adaptors. If you are going forward, with no return to stock in sight, then I would fabricate proper mounts.

If you use those adaptors, check them often.

I've never used the FOX shocks but the 7100 Bilsteins are nice. What valving are you considering?

BTW, semi-hardcore I liked that

 

[PKP80]

why do i not see much about rancho shocks on here?? they seem to be the best for our changing terrain down here. and they are not too badley priced.

Good question, personally I don't know much about ranchos, but they just don't come off as a real intense off road shock in my opinion. Maybe they just don't market them well to the LC crowd. I didn't even know they made 14" travel Ranchos.

I'm not a fan of the adaptors. If you are going forward, with no return to stock in sight, then I would fabricate proper mounts.

If you use those adaptors, check them often.

I've never used the FOX shocks but the 7100 Bilsteins are nice. What valving are you considering?

BTW, semi-hardcore I liked that

Cala,
have you used the adaptors? Since eventually the "semi" will not accompany the "hardcore" I don't want to fab. mounts b/c I have a totally different setup in mind for when I have some major cash to spend and put the truck in a final phase of lift.

I hear the 7100s are awesome shocks and I'm leaning toward them, but Haven't really been able to make up my mind on the valving. I do enjoy a stiffer ride and less roll especially since the 80 is a top heavy monster, I feel the OME i have in now are too soft. found a set of adjustable KING shocks, but they are major $$$.

Thanks for all the comments I appreciate the help, keepem commin
SAm

 

[alia176]

Sam,

I don't have a "rock crawler" 80 such as yours but do run 7100s on all four corners. Since this was meant to be an experiment, I made up shock adapters for the fronts. For the rear, a set of new upper brackets were made and I used the stock lower mounts. I'm running 10" on the fronts and 12" on the rears. When you add the shock adapters and the factory rubber bushings on top of the fronts, you get a net 12" up fronts. The rears ended up about 13.5".

The valving is 360/80 and I like them just fine. This valving "feels" softer than my OME shocks N73/N74E so you may opt for the 400/100 valving. This should be good for a taller vehicle w/o sway bars.

I converted the heim joints to rubber bushings for longevity and added the factory rubber shock bushings on top of the shock adapters. This was done to isolate the road noise better.

Good luck,

Ali

 

[calamaridog]

Cala,
have you used the adaptors? Since eventually the "semi" will not accompany the "hardcore" I don't want to fab. mounts b/c I have a totally different setup in mind for when I have some major cash to spend and put the truck in a final phase of lift.

Sam,

Just make sure you cycle the suspension and make sure nothing is binding, etc. Check extra hardware on the adaptors before and after the first few runs. My buddies came loose on the trail before but I'm not sure if he used thread locker or not.

If you order from Kartek or Camburg or someone reputable like that they may be able to help you decide on the valving.

Post some pics when you are done

 

[PKP80]

Sam,

I don't have a "rock crawler" 80 such as yours but do run 7100s on all four corners. Since this was meant to be an experiment, I made up shock adapters for the fronts. For the rear, a set of new upper brackets were made and I used the stock lower mounts. I'm running 10" on the fronts and 12" on the rears. When you add the shock adapters and the factory rubber bushings on top of the fronts, you get a net 12" up fronts. The rears ended up about 13.5".

The valving is 360/80 and I like them just fine. This valving "feels" softer than my OME shocks N73/N74E so you may opt for the 400/100 valving. This should be good for a taller vehicle w/o sway bars.

I converted the heim joints to rubber bushings for longevity and added the factory rubber shock bushings on top of the shock adapters. This was done to isolate the road noise better.

Good luck,

Ali

Ali,
I was thinking of going with 14" travel front and rear with my main concern being that of having too much droop and run the risk of the springs moving around (have not looked into that yet). I am leaning toward 400/100 valving even though I still run my sway bars, but they might be coming off once this project is complete. If you have a pic of the converted heims I'd love to see that as well as how the adapters are setup. thnx for the excellent input.

Post some pics when you are done

I am still in the process of "fundraising" and piecing together the overall route of the lift and also the addition of ARB's front rear, gears, which I"m still debating between 4.88 and 5.29 knowing I'll never go bigger than 40"s and starting around 37/38.5" tires.

I will doc and post the goods once they are complete.

Sam

 

[alia176]

Ali,
If you have a pic of the converted heims I'd love to see that as well as how the adapters are setup. thnx for the excellent input.

Sam

Here you go. Let me know if you have any questions.

Pic 1
shows you the overall length of 10" shocks with adapters next to a N73. The oem shock bushing went in on the upper (right side of pic) shock mount. I prefer rubber over poly for better road noise isolation.

Pic 2
shows the energy suspension sway bar bushings replacing the heim joints inside the shock eyes. These bushings can be found in most Vatozones.

Pic 3
shows the lower shock mounted on the factory mount. The energy bushings were drilled out to the right diam, I think it was 3/4". I used two spacers of diff thicknesses to sandwich the shock eye. Also, notice the location of the rubber O ring. This is where it ended up after stuffing the rear wheel (315s) into the wheel well. So, I'm pretty close to the end of the compression cycle! Rear bump stops were extended 2".



Ali