Thinking of going with dual front shocks

[OsideDave]

Just got back from Anza Borrego desert this weekend and realizing that at times I could use stiffer suspension. Here's what I have (all stuff is 1.5 yrs old), BCB 3.5 front coils and 11 pack leafs, singles front Bilstein 7100's w/ 360/80 valving mounted using F250 mounts and singles rear Bilstein 5125's w/ 255/70 valving on stock mounts.

I tend to drive fast on washes and dirt roads and the front bottomed quit a few times on stuff that really wasn't that bad. Also, front end gets wheel hoop when climbing sand dunes.

What do you guys think, maybe adding duals to the front and removing them when doing rock type stuff? Or am I going in the wrong direction and need something else.

 

[73stallion]

do you have proper pressure in the front shocks? mine were about 30 lbs low each and it made a difference in the ride and handling, i'd imagine it could affect them off road too. i'm running about 210 PSI.

 

[OsideDave]

Ben, didn't think about that. Thought they were good from factory. Not sure if I have guage that goes that high.

 

[73stallion]

get a proper gauge. just checking them can lose a lot of pressure in that small a reservoir at that high of a pressure. just find a shop and have them top them off, only cost like $5 a hit.

they are good from the factory, but they do lose pressure after a while.

 

[Desert Thrasher]

I run primarily out in Ocotillo Wells, but also do crawling and have dual shocks front and rear. My front shocks are worn out, but having duals does help out there. I dont see any need to remove one shock for crawling, if you get the right shocks for duals, then it will work just as good for crawling.
Coil-overs would be best for fast desert running, but very expensive and a lot of work.

 

[Socal Tom]

How long are the shocks? How much of the shaft is showing at rest? With my 12 inch shortbodies, it is really rare for them to bottom out.
Checking the pressure is a good idea also. What are you using for bump stops? How much distance between the bumpstop and the frame?

if you do go with duals you are supposed to use the two of the 170/60 shocks, otherwise your filings will fall out and all the parts will shake off your truck.


Tom

 

[Nobody]

I was going to suggest sticking with a single good shock.....but it seems you're already have them!

I'll be curious what you decide and how it turns out, since I was planning on running the same valving.

 

[Z Bronco]

I run soft valve Doetsch Tech MV12s double shocked on all corners on my Bronco. The ride is good and my Bronco corners like it has stabilizers. Before these shocks (which fit my current suspension travel better), I ran the Rancho soft valve RS5000's that were designed to be double shocked also with good results. I have logged around 100K miles with a soft valve double shock set up and all my fillings are still in my teeth and the kidneys still work. This has been a good all around set up.

 

[SnwMnkys]

I run primarily out in Ocotillo Wells, but also do crawling and have dual shocks front and rear. My front shocks are worn out, but having duals does help out there. I dont see any need to remove one shock for crawling, if you get the right shocks for duals, then it will work just as good for crawling.
Coil-overs would be best for fast desert running, but very expensive and a lot of work.

Love Ocotillo Wells. Head out there with a bunch of friends every Feburary from Utah to ride with dirt bikes and ATVs for a week.

 

[OsideDave]

The fronts are 7100's 12" short bodies w/ a lot of shaft (can't measure now) sticking out and original bump stops. Didn't think of the bump stops, but they should likely be replaced with taller ones with a stiffer compound than the stockers.

Anybody else run kinda fast and looking for a little more control and no bottoming?

 

[Rockit]

You are always going to bottom when going fast. Some air bumps, even 2" compression ones, will help a lot with controlling the impact when you do hit. Light years ahead of any stock type rubber or urethane bumps. If you want to really control the hits, nothing will compare to a bypass.