Rocks to the dunes, which shocks

[malonejy]

OK guys, let me first say that I did use the search function but still need help. My Bronco is definitely set up to be mainly a rock crawler, but I also enjoy hauling ass around the desert or sand dunes. Yes I want my cake and I want to eat it too ;D It seems Bilsteins are the favorite but it seems that the adjustability of the Rancho 9000XL may be what I'm after.

My cheapo shocks do fine when when crawling but are too soft when I'm moving fast. What say you?

James

 

[Moon's74]

I have rancho 9000XL's on my sand car. They work great, but when I run it too hard in the desert they get really hot and taper off in performance. I use Fox 2.0 reservoirs on my Bronco and this seems to keep the heat in check romping through the desert. I don't rock crawl, however. The bilsteins are pretty good also. I use them on my HD truck.
I guess what I'm sayin is if you run too hard, or too long, in the desert you need a shock with better cooling ability than they 9000XL's. JMO

 

[malonejy]

I'm sure all shocks taper off in performance as they heat up but you're not the first to specifically mention it in the Ranchos. They do make some 9000XL with a remote reservoir, so that may be my best bet if I go with the Ranchos.

Any comments from anyone on the adjustability? I assume that's what I need since I essentially want it to perform differently in different situations.

 

[needabronco]

I used to run Rancho 9000's on my old work trucks which were driven hard off road (thats putting it lightly;D). They would be 'ok' for a few thousand miles then they'd blow up, sometimes literally! Once out at Dumont dunes, I had one front sieze up and I snapped the 5/8"s shaft clean in half. They would all eventually leak on me, and they faded bad on washboard roads or out in the dune especially.

Save your money and buy Bilstien remote reservoir 7100's. They will last a good long time, and they are rebuildable at a reasonable price. You can also choose which valving you need for your rig.

 

[Apogee]

If money is no issue, then a good coilover combined with a double or triple bypass shock and a good air bump stop would be sweet. You're basically looking for KOH type use between the rocks and the high-speed dune/desert running.

If money is an issue, the 7100's w/ remotes would be a good choice. I would probably start with one per corner and see if I could get away with it given how you drive. If not, you could double up where necessary for the additional oil volume and revalve accordingly.

 

[malonejy]

Well money is always an issue but I think I could swing the price of the 7100s. I understand getting the correct valving for your vehicle and type of driving, but isn't that what makes the adjustable shocks so cool? Wouldn't I still have the same problem with the 7100s? What am I missing, or not understanding here?:?

 

[Apogee]

Damping is speed sensitive with the magnitude of the damping force being equal to the damping coefficient times the velocity. Since the velocity in rock crawling is approaching zero, the shock is doing very little actual work in that sort of environment, so cheap shock or expensive shock (or no shocks), you should be able to achieve reasonably good results. As you introduce speed into the equation, that's where dampers/shocks begin to do what they're designed to do, which is to try and critically damp a mass sitting on top of some springs with a bunch of unsprung weight.

 

[GrillMaster]

I was told the 7100s were gas and didnt heat up as much as the cheep oil rancho shocks = less fade in the desert and washboard roads. I am going with them when I can afford them, untill then Rancho 5000s.

 

[68ford]

if your looking at 7100s(do not know the price) you may also look at king double bypass but only a 2.0 body, cheaper and you could go without a reservoir, but i would keep the reservoir.

http://www.kingshocks.com/bypass-performance-race/

there is no substitution for position sensitive shocks. after my first set i told my self never to bother with anything in between cheap and these. well worth the money spent.

 

[Apogee]

FOA is working on remote adjustable bypass shocks from the looks of it, http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=951663, might be worth a phone call.

 

[Socal Tom]

I ran the 7100s in the sand and on the rocks. Way better than the Rancho 9000s.They both get hot, but the 9000s will start to foam once the oil gets hot the oils essentially boils and then they bottom out hard. The 7100s, are under high pressure, so even hot enough to burn your fingers, they don't foam because at high pressure the oil doesn't boil.
Also, with the resevoir on the short body version the heat is dispersed much better.
With 9000s, I would bottom out every trip, with the 7100s, I rarely bottomed out.
Tom

 

[malonejy]

Thanks for all the input guys. It seems like my main problem is cheap shocks. From what I can tell from your input and what I can "google", a high quality shock would be better than the adjustable Ranchos. I think the Rancho 9000s would be an improvement over what I have now, but Bilsteins I can fit into the budget without too much trouble. The King shocks look awesome and I bet perform just as good, but too much $$ for what I do.

Bilstein even has some new "Rock Crawler" shocks. I know I said rocks and dunes, but really it's more like 90% rock and 10% high speed stuff. I'll have to try and track down a Bilstein guy at KOH and see what they recommend for me.

Thanks again guys, who knew shocks were so complicated Now I have to figure out valving and travel ;D

 

[needabronco]

Call Lee at www.raceshock.com, he's in Pheonix, has the best prices and the best service around. Tell him we sent you.