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- Thread starter
- #362
He only needs one arm.
- Thread starter
- #363
People that have followed my 100 series and 60 series builds know that I am a complete homer for Iron Man Pro Foam Cell shocks.
I understand Iron Man distribution in the US has changed hands, but as of the time I ordered this last set of shocks, they were not importing the Pros for the 60 series.
I installed a set of Firm Pros on my 60 series in December, replacing some 10 year old OME shocks. The difference was remarkable.
After my short bit sweet test weekend on the Warthog I knew the heavy ass Pig with the LRA tank was just too much for my truck.
I ordered another set of Pros (pre 85 60 series) .....$800 delivered via 4WD1.com in Australia
The difference is huge. It’s really not even comparable. I looked into Fox, Bilstien, and King and dollar to Do-Nuts I just could not justify spending the extra money knowing how well the Iron Man Pro perform.
Rear OME shock is 7#
Rear Pro is 13#
The issue with both, however, is they are really not long enough for the lift I have on my truck.
I’m going to let @nvrlose54 at Shaw Fab cycle the suspension and determine the best way to tackle it. With the tight clearance around the sway bar, I’m thinking the best bet is to weld a new mounting stud to the bottom of the crossmember. This will give me about all the droop I need. Right now it hangs from the shock as a “limiting strap” before the sway bar maxes out. While he is back there I’m going to have him lengthen the sway bar bolts as well. No one sells a longer sway bar end for a 55 so we will cut and sleeve these.
I understand Iron Man distribution in the US has changed hands, but as of the time I ordered this last set of shocks, they were not importing the Pros for the 60 series.
I installed a set of Firm Pros on my 60 series in December, replacing some 10 year old OME shocks. The difference was remarkable.
After my short bit sweet test weekend on the Warthog I knew the heavy ass Pig with the LRA tank was just too much for my truck.
I ordered another set of Pros (pre 85 60 series) .....$800 delivered via 4WD1.com in Australia
The difference is huge. It’s really not even comparable. I looked into Fox, Bilstien, and King and dollar to Do-Nuts I just could not justify spending the extra money knowing how well the Iron Man Pro perform.
Rear OME shock is 7#
Rear Pro is 13#
The issue with both, however, is they are really not long enough for the lift I have on my truck.
I’m going to let @nvrlose54 at Shaw Fab cycle the suspension and determine the best way to tackle it. With the tight clearance around the sway bar, I’m thinking the best bet is to weld a new mounting stud to the bottom of the crossmember. This will give me about all the droop I need. Right now it hangs from the shock as a “limiting strap” before the sway bar maxes out. While he is back there I’m going to have him lengthen the sway bar bolts as well. No one sells a longer sway bar end for a 55 so we will cut and sleeve these.
Better drop the bump stops too, so you don’t wipe out the shocks at compression...
- Thread starter
- #365
Not Much of a chance of that bit I’ll check. The Pros have a big internal bumpstop
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2012
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- 581
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- Winter Park, Florida
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If you're thinking about moving the upper mount's you could also move them outboard more which will make the shocks even more effective.
- Thread starter
- #367
Take #2
Michael B
SILVER Star
Dejavu!
One of the benefits of using Nolen’s spare later block are these threaded oil galley plugs. This main artery feeds the main bearings directly. If this plug were to suddenly disappear, bad things would happen.
The earlier blocks had something resembling a freeze plug, which relies on you flattening a dimpled plug enough to hold itself in.
These can leak, or even worse, blow out. The factory used a gazillion-ton press to get maximum expansion, but replacing it later relies on a hammer and arm strength. And guess what.... Nolen’s popped out (he offered not to squeal) during one particular high RPM event. This was deemed enough of a problem by Mr. T to add the extra manufacturing step in the later motors.
So, to prevent that in the future, we are now drilling, tapping, and plugging earlier blocks.
Learning from the failures...
The earlier blocks had something resembling a freeze plug, which relies on you flattening a dimpled plug enough to hold itself in.
These can leak, or even worse, blow out. The factory used a gazillion-ton press to get maximum expansion, but replacing it later relies on a hammer and arm strength. And guess what.... Nolen’s popped out (he offered not to squeal) during one particular high RPM event. This was deemed enough of a problem by Mr. T to add the extra manufacturing step in the later motors.
So, to prevent that in the future, we are now drilling, tapping, and plugging earlier blocks.
Learning from the failures...
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #371
Life Flight is on final.
OR Table is prepped.
We are scrubbing in.
OR Table is prepped.
We are scrubbing in.
There are dogs everywhere. Holy @$&# 
Michael B
SILVER Star
The Marines have landed!
Transplant time:
Operation in progress...
