help me find shocks!

[trujillo351]

Hey there, I've been able to figure everything out but this.....Are shocks for universal applications or vehicle specific!? I see alot of used shocks for sale especially on desert rangers, but i dont know what would fit. im slowly collecting parts for my build. The shocks would need to work on stock width solo motorsports cut and turned beams and radius arms with a 4 inch coil. The rear would need to fit an autofab upper shock mount with j40 deavers. The kit im looking at from solo comes with 5100's but it sounds like remote reservoirs are the way to go. The bronco will be used for weekend bashing in the local arroyo's, and trying to keep up with my buddies raptor.

[ChaseTruck754]

The shocks we typically use are sold based on shock travel usually. These numbers are general and rounded usually. The common sizes are 8" stroke, 10", 12", 14", 16", 17" (bilstein) and then the loooong 18". This stroke is the difference in measurement from eyelet (bolt mounting hole in bushing or heim) to eyelet from the extended and compressed length.

To do it right mounts are often built around the shock. With kit parts however this is not the case, and the best way to do it is to get the parts on the truck and then measure the distance between the shock mounting holes at both full suspension compression and droop. You'd then select the shock that most matches what you have. Many people are too lazy to do this and just guess.

Another good option is to call the people who made the parts you are suing and ask them what shock the parts were built around. Keep in mind shock lengths vary from maker to maker. All the eye to eye lengths for over the counter shocks (ie not custom order) from the major brands (King, SAW, Bilstein, Fox , etc.) are available on the company websites.

[tcm glx]

If your gonna run dual 5100s in the front, you will be in good shape. Alternative is to grab a used camburg coil bucket and a 12" 2m5" shock.

Pelley has a set of Bilstein 12" shocks that would work great for your rear setup on the parts forum.

[hobbyturnedobsession]

The 5100 is a really good shock especially with the dual shock setup. Like Chasetruck said, if you want to go the big shocks you have to have some form of a shock hoop. If you want a good 12" of travel that will run reliably the 5100 is the best bet. Also, for the rear I have a solo kit with a 12" bottom mount piggy back from sway away. Go Bilstein though, you'll love them. You can run a 9100 I believe in the rear. You would need either a 10" or a 12" short body.

[trujillo351]

Thanks fellas! That clears up alot. I wish i could go for rides in a bunch of broncos with different shock configurations. I just dont want to spend a bunch of money and not be satisfied, on the other hand i dont want to waste money on parts i dont put to use(overkill). I guess ill go with the dual 5100's up front and a 9100 on the rear for now. If thats not good enough ill go buy the solo coilover conversion cage. This stupid project started off with me researching shocks ONLY to put on my current setup. I got the bug!!!! make it stop!!!!!

[BajaF250]

Thanks fellas! That clears up alot. I wish i could go for rides in a bunch of broncos with different shock configurations. I just dont want to spend a bunch of money and not be satisfied, on the other hand i dont want to waste money on parts i dont put to use(overkill). I guess ill go with the dual 5100's up front and a 9100 on the rear for now. If thats not good enough ill go buy the solo coilover conversion cage. This stupid project started off with me researching shocks ONLY to put on my current setup. I got the bug!!!! make it stop!!!!!

It'll NEVER stop!

[Nick]

It'll NEVER stop!

Aint that the truth!

But it hurts soooo good!

[hobbyturnedobsession]

I started with that and now I'm coil overed and more. Its a bug and its definately addicting.

[SteveG]

I think the dual shock set up is great if you really aren't going to be taking it any further, but you gotta be realistic. Will you really stop there? You're already talking about coil-overs....

My vote for a simple prerunner is still a coil-bucket with a 2.5"x10" shock mounted behind the bucket and off the radius arm. This set up is capable of working ridiculously well and is very simple to install. You can find the shocks used and if you scour the classifieds daily, you can find used fabricated coil-buckets cheap. Or, if you can fabricate, modify your buckets and add a taller shock mount.

[trujillo351]

i think thats a great idea steve. I hope this isnt a dumb question but what exactly does the modified coil bucket do? I looked at the coilover cage from solo but its 800 bucks. It sounds as thought the modified bucket with 2.5x10 shock would be the cheaper way to go.

[trujillo351]

any pics of a rig set up this way steve? Also, are you saying the lower shock mount will actually attach to the radius arm?

[hobbyturnedobsession]

You have to have the extended radius arms, but yeah there is a mount behind the coil on the radius arm. Steve is right, I ran that setup for a while and loved it.

[SteveG]

any pics of a rig set up this way steve? Also, are you saying the lower shock mount will actually attach to the radius arm?

Nick's Bronco:
http://www.gofastbroncos.com/forum/view ... &start=240

Rick (flyinbronco) also has this set up on his widened front end. You can see some photos here:
http://www.autofab.com/extra_wide_mdl_44.htm

Photos of it in-action here: http://www.gofastbroncos.com/forum/view ... 035#p32035

You can buy fabricated buckets new. They're spendy but it's a purchase you'll never regret. If I was building my bronco all over again, this is what I would do. I really like the bolt-on coil-over mounts (don't like the weld-on) but they're a lot more work to install and require the relocation of all kinds of under-hood components. Keep it simple....

[navynuke]

camburg coil buckets/sway away shocks



stock setup prior to this



was only running one shock because I didn't want to buy an extra set of long shocks for a couple of months before I went to the big boys.

Ken

[trujillo351]

Thanks!!!! you guys are alot of help. I actually saw that video of nicks bronco on youtube last week! thats what made me want to research this further. I read an FSB thread saying that camburg or maybe autofab no longer makes the coil buckets.....any truth to that? If so, any other vendors that sell them?

[SteveG]

Autofab still makes them. I think Foreman does, too but they're massive compared to the Autofab buckets. The Camburg buckets (which are the same as the Foreman) are no longer made.

[tcm glx]

Chris Puente (bajabronco13) has a set of those Camburg buckets he is selling, pm him on here if your looking for them.

These guys are all bringing some great and valid points, a coil bucket with a 2.5" Shock behind the coil is a great setup that will work for a long long time! Tested and proven.

[trujillo351]

thanks TCM i just pm'd him. Im stoked it will be my first go fast purchase haha. now i gotta decide on which beams and radius arms to go with. Solo seems to be a good deal, Southwests link didnt work and spirit racing never called back.

[Nick]

thanks TCM i just pm'd him. Im stoked it will be my first go fast purchase haha. now i gotta decide on which beams and radius arms to go with. Solo seems to be a good deal, Southwests link didnt work and spirit racing never called back.

Southwests site is down, but his ph# is in his signiture, so just give him a call. Spirit really doesn't make those parts anymore, and if they do, it will cost you dearly! Give John at AutoFab a call, he's the og originator of go fast parts for a bronco, and a site sponsor.

[bajascott]

modified coil buckets work very good if you are on a buget and dont want to spend the money on custom buckets. i did mine with the shock in front of the coil.i wouldnt change a thing on my set up(allthough coilovers would be nice)