Dual shocks?Are they just for show?

[broncohalfcab66]

I am starting my build.I have read just abOut every post On hare.I read on a tech article on JGY that the dual shocks work like sway bars.I can't see were that would do that?Am I wrong?Just looking for the best for my mid life crisis build!

 

[anoblefox]

In the rear dual shocks really help prevent axle windup. I have stock suspension, so I personally don't need twin shocks up front. But I am sure others with big tires and body lifts may have a different opinion. YMMV

 

[broncnaz]

Dual shocks do have a purpose but its usually more for high speed operation. Yhey can have some what of a sway bar effect as well. Basically they have to be correctly valved to work properly and few setups out there are valved properly you usually endup with a rough ride.
For the most part I wouldnt bother with dual shocks. But it all depends on your setup and driving needs.

 

[bronconut73]

Yes dual shocks can reduce body roll in the front and axle wrap in the back.
Do you "need" dual shocks?
No. But they sure look cool. And if you hit washboard at 75 mph (by mistake) with dual shocks you will have more control than if you had single shocks and then you'll wreck anyway haha. Don't hit washboard at 75 in an eb haha.
But if you like that look then do it. There are real soft shocks that won't be "too" stiff in a dual application but usually dual shocks mean better handling but a stiffer ride.

 

[69red]

And if you hit washboard at 75 mph (by mistake) with dual shocks you will have more control than if you had single shocks and then you'll wreck anyway haha. Don't hit washboard at 75 in an eb haha.

Or just don't do 75 in an eb. That's just crazy.

 

[broncnaz]

Only crazy on a dirt road.

 

[needabronco]

Dual shocks are old school bandaids for the most part. Some still think they are cool, which is fine. IF properly setup and valved they do work, but you can use a single well designed shock to do everything you need. I can do 75 on the freeway, on wash board roads or in a wash all day long with one shock per corner. In the 70's there wasn't a whole lot of technology in shocks, fast forward 40 years and you can order custom valved shocks in just about any way you want....

 

[broncohalfcab66]

Ok so like a good blistien or rancho high end.How about reservoir shocks.The stroppe sit has a cool looking shocks?Anyone?

 

[broncohalfcab66]

I am building my dream.66 body on a 74 frame.I am doing light off road .but I want it to be able to do some climbing .Not rock crawling.

 

[bknbronco]

For years and years dual shocks were standard. Thats why i went with them in my build 2 summers ago. I have since learned that duals in the rear SUCK. Way to stiff, and i have doetsch dt3000 which are a really soft shock. In fact the rear is best with no shocks at all. I have removed the duals in the rear and it rides much better. I still run duals in the front but im always wondering what if i removed them.

For the front i wish i went with the F250 towers and a single expensive shock. Take into account that i paid like $400 for the front hoops i could have instead got some bilstiens shocks.

For the rear id install the dual mounts again but id space them way up to accomadate longer shocks. Maybe even put the shock more straight up and down to lessen the effect they have. The reason id still do the duals rear mounts is because i believe that if you go to rear disks you need to move the shock to the front of the axle for caliper clearence or something. Not sure but someone else may chime in and say the same. I also like the idea of one shock in front and one in rear of rear axle. Thats how i run mine now.

Duals are kinda 80's style. I got thrown under the bus when i asked the brothers how to remove the fluid from my rear dual shocks%) They look cool but i think a nice remote resevore shock would look much better under my rig now that ive been there done that.

I tell my girlfriend that in my next build im not gona do the duals....she says that shes not gona stick around for a "next" build So do it once and do it right. Single bilstien remote res shock and F250 mounts up front and im not exactly sure what id do with the rear yet, but i wouldnt run duals back there either.

Some guys swear buy sway bars but every truck i have ever owned the first thing i throw away is them sway bars! I didnt see much body rool with mine lifted 6.5" and NO shocks so im not sure what these guys are used to driving. Corvetts and mustangs maybe???

Or just don't do 75 in an eb. That's just crazy.

I do 75 all day long on the freeway. Its not crazy. Whats more crazy is that i do it with manual steering, 4 wheel drum brakes, 6.5" of lift, 35" tires, and no top or rool cage!


Oh and if you do decide on duals up front put them both behind the axle. The dual shock you sometimes see mounted in front of the axle will get in the way of stuff.

 

[mofoco1]

Used to have a dual set up on my last 75 with remote Rancho 9000's I had the little compressor with the pushbutton and gauge panel. I had no swaybar back then but did have 5.5" suspension a 3" bodylift and 38.5" TSL/SX's. I normally drove 65-75mph high sand or anywhere else as it was my daily driver. I ran the shocks soft most of the time but if I was going to do any curvy roads I would press the button and in a split seconds I had a tight steering slot car. Some may say nay but I drove it hard and put it away wet daily for 6 years. Then I started a resto and sold it 4 years later Doing another restomod with updated suspension and steeing so don't need that exact set up. Still may go duasl after I go coilovers though;D Here's a few pics of it when it was running 33" then it got cut wearing 38.5"s and now. It just sold recently, but still looks almost the way it did when I sold it except for the new paint, and a different cage.

 

[bronconut73]

I am real pleased with my single RS 9000's on stock rear mounts and longer F-250 mounts in the front. I am running the longest shocks you can get in the front with a little taller bump stop. She should be able to really stretch her front legs, but other than some manual manipulation of the suspension I haven't tested this theory.
I have the 5 leaf 3.5" lift leaf springs in the back (new but 15 year old Duffs units) and JBG linear 3.5" lift coils in the front. Front shocks are set on 2 and the rears are on 3. It rides better than ever (owned it 32 years). Better than I thought it could. I do often wonder how those Bilsteins I almost got might have worked though.

 

[Z Bronco]

I have run duals for years, what shock makes a difference. I ran soft valve Ranchos at first and now I have Doetch Tech MV 12's on the Bronco. Both these shocks were designed for double shocking and that may be why my Bronco rides and handles very well.

 

[crtilghman]

My 73 road ruff and was kinda pogo stickish on the roads around here I pulled off my dual shocks and man it rides way better I thought it might be me I had my son and wife drive it and they said it was so much better that my wife might even drive it LOL

 

[bknbronco]

FYI doetsch dont make the MV12's any more. Thats what i wanted last spring but when i called to place my order she said the got rid of that line and instead now offer custom built shocks that can be valved as soft but for 4 times the price.

 

[Deano]

No reasoning behind them I just liked the look of the shock hoops and duel shocks on the front. I run 39.5 tires and full size front coils but I also have 351C and that gives me a lot of extra weight in the front. If I were to have a 302 in it it would ride like a buckboard I'm sure. Just my $.02!

 

[broncohalfcab66]

Man I love this site!You guys are the greatest.I am running 33.302 nv3550.I want a daily driver and a trail runner On the weekends.I am thinking 3 1/2 springs in the front and 2 1/2 leafs in the back.Oh and I want to stay uncut.so a 2 in bl.I want a iconish bronco.Just don't want to pay 200 k for.Again thanks everyone.

 

[MADHATTER]

Dual Shocks IMHO are awesome... they are old school tech from Winston Cup Racing way back in the day....and they are a great way to gain control while maintaining suspension articulation that you give up with a sway bar. I always prefer to run duals front and rear on my Broncos..... That said, yes you can run external rez shocks etc that will will do the same jobs that two common shocks will do, but for a lot less money..... the real advantage of dual shocks is doubling up the dampening effect shocks have which act to stop spring bounce and "roll" when uneven ground or cornering apply pressure to points on the suspension.....

 

[SHX669]

Climb a 30 degree hill where the mud is about 6" deep it's raining and there's a hard base of good ole red clay underneath and you'll see why some guys run dual shocks on the front.
Shx

 

[bknbronco]

I like my dual 3000's (Doetsch) in the front. Corners like a sports car. But rear duals were a bit much with a heavly arched 5.5 inch lift spring pack. I have recently learned that a lot of my stiffness was coming from the 6 bolts on the springs being way way to tight. I think I remember torqueing them to like 80ftlbs like stock, but I tried it with just the nylocks nuts barely snugged down and its a different beast completely. May have to throw the rear duals back on and see if it was the shocks or the bolts.