Single vs dual shocks

[Boss Hugg]

This thread is a couple years old. I'm steal dealing with ride issues, and I need to do something... Update starts at post #53

Original post:

I’m looking at bilstein shocks but can’t afford two at each corner. The front shock hoops are built for duals and the rear long travel shock mounts are dual also. If I spend the money on bilsteins, do I really need duals for trails? I guess I’m looking for a quality vs quantity opinion?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sanndmann3]

I have shock hoops front and rear. I think I could have up to 3 per wheel up front and 2 in back but only run 1 at each corner. Quality over qty is a good strategy imo. Did the hoops for a longer that stock shock...

 

[Broncobowsher]

Quality single is the way to go.

Multi is only used these days for racing or reliving the 80s and early 90s.

 

[blubuckaroo]

Back in the day, 4WD vendors touted the safety, and handling benefits of multiple shock per wheel. Ford even bought into the hype and offered their trucks with dual shock options.
My Bronco is a victim of these sales tactics and it still has the extra shock brackets that I got talked into.
I chalk it all up to the fashion of the day. Just like the white spoke Jackman wheels and cow print seat covers. ?:?
I went back to single shocks and am embarrassed to say I suffered that rough ride for so long while defending the advantages of dual shocks.
Mine rides really nice with single 70/30 shocks.

 

[Quick & Dirty]

Multiple shocks resist overheating better in racing conditions, like high speed washboard or frequent jumping. Multiple shocks need to be valved softer, to provide the same damping rate as a single good shock.

It was popular on street and trail rigs because it looks racy. Vendors push them because it sells more shocks. Using multiple regular shocks gives too much damping which makes the ride harsh. You need to spend the money on adjustable shocks to get proper damping for multiples.

 

[Crush]

I agree. Proper valving or single shocks. That said i like the look of double shocks. Sooo, i am looking for 4 old rancho rs5000’s that look fairly nice. I plan on drilling them And letting out the oil so they are basically dummies to match the shocks i already have.

 

[Monster Mike]

James Duff is the exception to the rule when it comes to dual shocks. Our suspension systems are designed to run dual shocks on every corner to achieve the best in ride comfort and good handling on and off road.

We also sell single shock suspension systems for the budget minded customer and there will always be Broncos and Bronco drivers that prefer 1 of our shocks vs 2 on each corner.

We definitely do not sell dual shock setups just to sell more shocks. Maybe other companies do that but if our systems didn't need them we wouldn't try to make you buy them.

Why do we still sell a dual shock system when everyone knows 1 properly valved shock can do the same job? Simple, because it still works and a classic look never dies.It's the same reason why most of us don't alter the grille or remove the gauge cluster because those are the iconic and recognizable things of an EB.

 

[bronkenn]

Plug your ears Howard in West Michigan.

 

[SHX669]

I run double shocks when I plan on wheeling in deep snow or when pulling my 2000# travel trailer but remove the extra one for "normal" driving . There's a reason they used to put dual shocks on the front and it wasn't for looks.
As far as the Bilsteins go they're great shocks but nothing says you can't mix and match. Run the Bilsteins for everyday driving and if you think you'll get someplace where wheel hop is a problem then bolt your existing shocks up to the "extra " mounting location.

 

[bronconut73]

Our options were limited in the 80's.
Dual shocks helped tremendously with hoopty-doos and jumping. Handling improved too, but the ride got worse.
Back then, good handling and a good ride just did not co-exist except maybe a Mercedes.

Now 30 years later and we can get Baja Racer quality shocks for our eb's. So yea....only need one of these modern shocks like Bilsteins 7100 series.

Duals had their place and with proper/light valving can still work and ride pretty good.

I am running extra long RS9000's on my F-250 mounts.
I like them. I like the adjustability.
But I like how my Buddy's eb rides on Bilsteins better. Defective-Disc, Mono-tube shock technology of the Bilstein is impressive. Taking it up to by-pass and/or reservoir shocks and it gets even better.

We are living in a great era of shock technology available to the masses.

 

[Z Bronco]

Research is always good, I am going to be a little different. On my Bronco, instead of running duel bilsteins in the front which was recommended by more than one vendor due to the weight of my bronco (reservoir shocks was also recommended by several vendors), I went with the duel Duff shocks all around. My ride is excellent, the shock length fits my suspension travel where the bilsteins didn't, and I saved a bunch of money. My Bronco is a street and trail rig. Single bilsteins work great for many, but don't discount a possible duel setup if it fits your Bronco and driving style better. I have used shocks designed for duels from three different vendors over the years with success (Rancho soft valves, Doetch Tech MVs, and Duffs). My bronco has around 230,000 miles on duel shocks all around.

 

[bronconut73]

/\/\Dual Duff 70/30's are still a great combo, even in today's era of shock technology. Says a lot about Senior James Duff.
The man
The myth
The legend.

 

[blubuckaroo]

We ordered our Bronco with the heavy duty 4900 pound option. It rode sort of rough.
Then I installed a Duff's 2.5" lift. It was their economy "add-a-leaf" rear spring and straight (non-variable) front springs along with their dual shock kit. That thing was brutal! I had to replace most of the light bulbs inside a year. It did handle the trailer nicely though.
Now I've replaced it all. It has eleven leaf rear springs and variable front coils. And single shocks. It rides and handles great. It's soft. It's so soft that the level of the car is affected by full fuel tanks.
I wouldn't even attempt this setup without a sway bar.

 

[Boss Hugg]

Now I've replaced it all. It has eleven leaf rear springs and variable front coils. And single shocks. It rides and handles great. It's soft. It's so soft that the level of the car is affected by full fuel tanks.

I wouldn't even attempt this setup without a sway bar.

Are you still on dual duff shocks or did you change those too?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[blubuckaroo]

Are you still on dual duff shocks or did you change those too?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No, I'm just using the single 70/30 shocks from Toms.
They work great on my car.

https://www.tomsbroncoparts.com/product/tbp-nitrox-shock-66-77-ford-bronco

 

[chuzie]

I ran hydraulic duals on all 4 corners initially. It was nice but I needed more sway protection so ended up installing an M95 on each corner in place of a hydraulic. Works like a champ.

 

[suckerpunched]

I think quantity over quality is your best bet. here is the ideal setup

 

[Boss Hugg]

I think quantity over quality is your best bet. here is the ideal setup

I’m no expert but I think there’s one missing on the ride side of the pic...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[68ford]

1 soft shock per corner so the suspension can move for the best ride and then a sway bar for on the road sway control. Just like how every single modern car and truck are built. Best of both worlds.

 

[swmrdrn]

Definitely, go quality over quantity. These work nicely on ours.