I need dual shock advice

[trophybass]

I am going to be adding a 2'nd shock up front and was wondering what are the pros and cons of the standard hoops vs. the "old school" tabs. I know the hoops look better of course, but is there any benefit to one or the other?
I already have a 3.5" susp lift and will be putting on a 2" BL this weekend so i know i have room for the hoops. I have 2 "extra shocks" from my lift and i kinda want to add them in to the suspension since they came with the package. Thanks for any ideas or input.

 

[broncolove]

You will get a longer shock with the hoops than you will with old school stock style double shock mounts. If you go with the F250 upper mounts you can get the same job done as the hoops for a 3rd of the price. I personally like the look of the hoops, but if you don't want to spend the cash on them the F-250 mounts are the way to go. If your not looking to go with a longer shock the stock mounts will do. But if your setting it up for flex the shocks and radius arm will be your limiting factors

 

[DownhillManiac99]

I think old school dual shocks look good! See:

I use mine as a daily driver and the dual shocks make the ride a lot better. It can be harsh at times but I got used to it and dont mind.

 

[broncolove]

Hoops are cool too In reallity how many of us really need dual shocks anyways ;D

 

[JaxLax]

i'm debating dropping back to singles all around.

currently running hoops up front and the old school wide V tabs setup in the rear

 

[Gummi Bear]

I am going to be adding a 2'nd shock up front and was wondering what are the pros and cons of the standard hoops vs. the "old school" tabs. I know the hoops look better of course, but is there any benefit to one or the other?
I already have a 3.5" susp lift and will be putting on a 2" BL this weekend so i know i have room for the hoops. I have 2 "extra shocks" from my lift and i kinda want to add them in to the suspension since they came with the package. Thanks for any ideas or input.

OK dood,

First off, unless you're planning on tearing across uneven terrain at ludicrous speed, just leave them on the shelf. I took mine off, they hung up on the trail, made it ride like crap, eventually broke the lower mount, and I got tired of hearing the blown up shock banging around up there.

When adding a shock fore and aft of the axle tube center, keep in mind that they are traveling a different distance in relation to one another, also the leverage applied on each one is different, necessitating a firmer valving on the one with the most leverage being applied to it (the one in front of the axle), in order for them to act in a uniform manner. If you don't adjust the dampening, then you'll stress out the inner shock, and the outer one will fail prematurely anyway.

Give it a good think, and pony up for some good Bilsteins, BBCS, Fox, Walker Evans or similar, before tossing money away on something that is in the long run, only cosmetic.

 

[JokerOfDeception]

i friggin love my dual setup all around. I have the ajdustible ranchos and for me the front shocks i set on 2 and the rear two i set on 1 and the rear axle set are both on the 1st setting. The ride is smooth and dandy for me.

 

[Baja71]

Give it a good think, and pony up for some good Bilsteins, BBCS, Fox, Walker Evans or similar, before tossing money away on something that is in the long run, only cosmetic.

So how would you set it up with Bilsteins, for instance?

 

[Rustytruck]

I use an old school front shock mount exclusively it works well with my wristed arm. use to run dual shocks but with the advancement in shock technology you just dont need them unless you running extremely fast in the desert for long distances. It will allow you the longest shocks possible without cutting the fender well. Of course the further out on the arm the longer the shock you will need. A shock out on the end of the arm is much more reactive than a shock running in the stock location. I run a single Duff 70/30 shock for the front. Mostly street driving and with off road hardly ever over 20mph. Build your truck for what you use it for it is much cheaper and the ride will not be compromised on stuff you dont need. You may not have as much cool factor if that is important to you. But you will have a little more cash in the pocket or space on the credit card.

 

[Krawln68]

For the hell of it, i took 1 shock off each corner, and i love it. It rides much better on 4 than 8, i should have done it years ago.

 

[Baja71]

From James Duff's site:

"Double shocks are a must for all 66-77 Broncos, not just hardcore off-roaders. They're always the first improvement we make. Double shocks improve handling, braking, all-around performance and prevent wheel hop and body sway. By keeping the tires on the ground they improve cornering on pavement and dirt, and helps to control axle-wrap. Double shocks work like anti-sway bars without restricting wheel travel. We cannot overstate the importance of double shocking a Classic Bronco. The belief that double shocks are "too stiff" is just a myth. When properly valved shocks are used, they compliment properly designed springs."

Just marketing?

 

[Gummi Bear]

So how would you set it up with Bilsteins, for instance?

For now, my rig's kind of in pieces, so I have no shocks. I'm waiting for the BBCS to come out in the coil version. They appear to be a well made shock, specific for the rockcrawling, and off road crowd (not desert racing, just normal type stuff).

My setup:
F250 shock mounts
If Bilstein - I'll use the short bodied 7100 w/ remote reservoir, 14" travel and 360/80 valving
The BBCS, is slightly longer bodied, but a 15" stroke, so I'll have to move my shock mount accordingly. It only comes in one valving option, which is comparable to the 360/80. You have to pay attention, they are different applications between the leaf sprung specific model, and the coil spring model (the leaf spring shock is available, coil spring shock is coming)


I had the James Duff 'old school' setup, and it was pretty much crap. I broke the front mount, and the Rancho 5000 series shocks that I thought would be fantastic, are now proud residents of the landfill.

 

[mark74ranger]

Unless you want the look or do high speed off roading where fade is problem, one shock is fine.

 

[jeev]

Unless you REALLY care about the LOOK or COOL FACTOR go with 1 shock. I had dual Rancho 5000's scraped them for single Bilstiens and I am MUCH happier!!!! I even get more travel up front since I went with the F250 mounts. Love my set up and it was cheep!!

 

[griff]

I have hoops and rancho 9000's, and I took off 1 in the front because I heard that some guys were breaking them with a wristed arm. Rock crawling I can't tell the difference, but on the street or driving fast on windy dirt roads I feel like I have less control. I never thought it had a harsh ride with 2 shocks, but what do I know, I drive a 97 f-350 most of the time.

 

[trophybass]

My driving will mostly be on the street with a little light off road (trails mainly) so it sounds like hoops are mostly for the cool factor and of course longer travel Not many deserts to haul ass in here in florida and no mtns to hang the hoops up on either. I guess it really doesnt matter which i get then, because of the way my EB will be used. Spend more and Buy hoops and another eye/eye shock for each corner(more$) or save a little and go old school and use my "extra" shocks. Now my next ? being the cheap bastard that i am if i go old school has anyone fabbed there own mounts or is it just easier to buy a new set?

 

[DownhillManiac99]

The mounts are no more than 100 dollars for all four wheels if I remember. As for the brand of shock, Im only running the WH shocks. I though about F-250 mounts with Bilsteins but I dont need the travel. Dont think I did my old school for looks either, I had single shock Ranchos and the body roll was terrible even though the shocks were somewhat new. With 2 at each wheel its much better for a 90% daily street driver in my opinion.

 

[Gummi Bear]

From James Duff's site:

"Double shocks are a must for all 66-77 Broncos, not just hardcore off-roaders. They're always the first improvement we make. Double shocks improve handling, braking, all-around performance and prevent wheel hop and body sway. By keeping the tires on the ground they improve cornering on pavement and dirt, and helps to control axle-wrap. Double shocks work like anti-sway bars without restricting wheel travel. We cannot overstate the importance of double shocking a Classic Bronco. The belief that double shocks are "too stiff" is just a myth. When properly valved shocks are used, they compliment properly designed springs."

Just marketing?

Not necessarily just marketing, more like an antiquated statement. You can control body roll with: proper springs for your application, and the shocks that are valved for the vehicle application and type of driving that you are wanting to do.

 

[Baja71]

No one has mentioned Edelbrock IAS shocks. It seems like these would be really good for the EBs...maybe they don't make them for EBs?

 

[Rustytruck]

If you want sway control get sway bars, over shocking just to get sway control doesnt make sence. as for IAS got them for my YOTA and those POS arnt good for nothing in a Bronco unless for a stiff ass ride on the street shooting corners maybe there ok, on an offroad truck they dont belong. as soon as I get disposable cash there bound for a dumpster until then my teeth have to just suffer. Dont waste your money on them unless you lower your Bronco and go street racing.
If I had a pure street Bronco I would look for sway bars and good tires and still single shock of course the sway bars would have disconnects on them for the excursions off pavement.