What's the softest shocks (1 Viewer)

Softest shock

  • Rancho RS900

    Votes: 7 38.9%
  • Bilstein 5100

    Votes: 7 38.9%
  • Doetsch-tech MV-12

    Votes: 1 5.6%
  • OME

    Votes: 1 5.6%
  • Other (please specify)

    Votes: 2 11.1%

  • Total voters
    18
  • Poll closed .

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Joined
Jan 23, 2003
Threads
43
Messages
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Location
San Jose, CA
I got some custom Alcan springs and now I'm looking for the softest shock to put on the FJ40.
 
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Darn, I ment RS9000 not RS900.
 
Well I just took off all four shocks for a test drive and I must say that I could drive this thing without shocks. Probably not advised. It did make the ride softer though.

I have OME shocks on there now.
 
no-one else?
 
No personal experience but from what I understand you can't go wrong with Bilstein. I seen quite a few people on this forum talk those up especially the 5150. Any pics of your rig with that Alcan lift? I've been contemplating going that route? What size tires are you running?
 
It comes down to valving. You can run the same shock valved for 2 different vehicles and the ride will be wayyyy different. Bilsteins in a 255/170 (i think) valving is good to go. Search bilsteins in the 40 section and the right valving will pop up. I am personally running a 2.25" fabtech shock valved for a dual front and dual rear app on a fullsize truck. That is basically valved half of a single shock application on the same truck. Should put it a bit on the soft side for a 40 which is where I want it. Haven't gotten to drive it yet, though. I'll know how it works soon.
 
No personal experience but from what I understand you can't go wrong with Bilstein. I seen quite a few people on this forum talk those up especially the 5150. Any pics of your rig with that Alcan lift? I've been contemplating going that route? What size tires are you running?


Here's a kinda dark picture of the lift. I'm running 33x12.5 tires.

Scott
P1060222.JPG
 
It comes down to valving. You can run the same shock valved for 2 different vehicles and the ride will be wayyyy different. Bilsteins in a 255/170 (i think) valving is good to go. Search bilsteins in the 40 section and the right valving will pop up. I am personally running a 2.25" fabtech shock valved for a dual front and dual rear app on a fullsize truck. That is basically valved half of a single shock application on the same truck. Should put it a bit on the soft side for a 40 which is where I want it. Haven't gotten to drive it yet, though. I'll know how it works soon.

That is an AWSOME idea. Do you have the fabtech part numbers you are using? I'm running about the same lift so they might work.

Scott
 
That is an AWSOME idea. Do you have the fabtech part numbers you are using? I'm running about the same lift so they might work.

Scott

FTS-80010 in the rear, 11.5" travel. FTS-80034 in the front. 13.5" travel. They are long, I had to get creative with the mounting :banana::banana:. And the res's are kinda in the way, at least in the front. They fit a 99-07 Ford SUper Duty 8" lift. They are badass shocks but not cheap. The cheapest I could find them was around $300 EACH!!!! The only reason I got mine was because one of my Distributors was filing bankruptcy and had a TON of parts marked down. I got them for $500 for 4. Still more than I wanted to spend but figured if I was going to spend $80/each for Billies, why not the extra? I mean really, for the price I'd go with Bilsteins.

oh yeah, it's 255/70 valving. https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/219984-bilstein-5150-7100-a.html
 
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Does anyone know the valving numbers for the OME shocks? I want to make sure any shocks I get are softer than the ones I have on there already.
 
I can tell you that the pro comp shocks I have on mine provide a terrible ride. And I had RS5000's on my last 40 and they were pretty bad too. I'm going to go with Bilstein 5100's eventually. Romer raved about them when he put them on his 40 and i've got them on both my tacoma and 4 runner and love them.
 
33 x12.5 on 2.5"? You are either going to have to cut your front fenders or put in lower bump stops. Otherwise you are going to destroy your front tires the first time you turn the wheel under flex.
 
We sold Doetsch-Tech MV-12's for years (although they were one of the Worlds best kept secrets) because nothing was softer. Now Bilstein 5100's are softer, and much more precision.
Do pay attention to all the post above recommending Billies. Do not pay attention to the post recommending the overly firm OME's, or the non-self adjusting RS9000's. I couldn't be happier that you guys are finally learning that what works better ON and OFF road is not an overly firm piece of garbage shock absorber!!!
 
33 x12.5 on 2.5"? You are either going to have to cut your front fenders or put in lower bump stops. Otherwise you are going to destroy your front tires the first time you turn the wheel under flex.
After thinking about it, the springs are ~2" lift and I believe the shackle is another 2" so I'm really running 4". Had this size tire on there forever didn't really have a problem except the inside rear fenderwell.
 
Ok so Bilstein 5100s it is. I just want to confirm the part numbers that give me the softest valving. All I can find on the Bilstein website is BE5-6253-H5 (front) and BE5-A643-H5 (rear).

This site gives different numbers: AllShocks.com | 1971*TOYOTA*Landcruiser FJ40 Bilstein Shocks

What part numbers correct for a 4" lift and soft valving?
 

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