| Author | Message | ||
     Greg Davis (Gregdavis) Senior Member Username: Gregdavis Post Number: 940 Registered: 08-2002 |
Made a few changes to my front suspension last night, and now I have a decision to make. My new front shocks are longer than the previous ones, and they bottom out about 1.5" before I contact my bumpstops. So should I: A) Raise my upper shocks mounts, which will give me more uptravel, but decrease droop the same amount, or; B) Raise my bumpstops, which will preserve the extra droop I'm currently getting, and prevent my shocks from bottoming out? So my question is which do you think is better, more uptravel or more droop? | ||
| Milan (Milan) Member Username: Milan Post Number: 233 Registered: 10-2002 |
I kind of prefer 40/60 to 50/50 split uptravel/droop. So how much uptravel do you have now? This is for up-to 10" travel shocks. For longer ones I'd keep the up travel to 4"-5" and let the rest be droop. Note that this is my preference as I found too little up-travel is not good for where I wheel. Spring stiffness also plays a role in how much you need. | ||
| Ho Chung (Thediscoho) Moderator Username: Thediscoho Post Number: 205 Registered: 02-2002 |
change shocks.  ---------- Ho Chung | ||
| Milan (Milan) Member Username: Milan Post Number: 234 Registered: 10-2002 |
Ho, Some people like to let it hang out. So short shocks for them are not an option. I'm not one of them hence my figures on the travel split. | ||
| Ho Chung (Thediscoho) Moderator Username: Thediscoho Post Number: 206 Registered: 02-2002 |
sure, short shocks are not an option, but neither are the ones that are TOO long. ---------- Ho Chung | ||
| Greg Davis (Gregdavis) Senior Member Username: Gregdavis Post Number: 941 Registered: 08-2002 |
Thanks Ho. Profound as ever. | ||
| Greg Davis (Gregdavis) Senior Member Username: Gregdavis Post Number: 942 Registered: 08-2002 |
Milan, here's a shot of it before the longer shocks. In this photo, the shock bottoms about 1" before the stops. Now, it's about 1.5".  | ||
| Will Cupp (W_cupp) New Member Username: W_cupp Post Number: 3 Registered: 07-2003 |
If you had more up travel would your tires rub? | ||
| Greg Davis (Gregdavis) Senior Member Username: Gregdavis Post Number: 943 Registered: 08-2002 |
No. I've made sure of that. Just trying to pull from other's experiences as to which is more beneficial. | ||
| Michael Noe (Noee) Senior Member Username: Noee Post Number: 700 Registered: 03-2002 |
No real answer here Greg, but I do have a question. How would you raise the upper shock mount? Using a spacer between the tower and tower mount? | ||
| Blue (Blue) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Blue Post Number: 176 Registered: 04-2003 |
Well, what's another 1.5" of uptravel going to do for you on the trail? What's another 1.5" of drop going to do for you on the trail? Theoretically, if you increase uptravel, then your body will stay level for a little longer; and if you increase drop, your tire will stay on the trail a little longer. I say theoretically because there are obviously other variables at play, and I think 1.5" won't make too much of a difference either way. It might be nice to get the extra drop, but then again, it would be nice to get those wheels to stuff up another 1.5" inches if you have the room. That would be true stealth. I assume you have some traction aids like lockers already helping you out. And you could always split the difference - raise upper shock mount 0.75" and drop bumps 0.75" | ||
| Will Cupp (W_cupp) New Member Username: W_cupp Post Number: 4 Registered: 07-2003 |
On bigger trucks I have seen a brace running between the two shock towers. How much taller could you go before needing something like this? Where would you buy your bump stops at anyway? I need to get a set for the rear of my truck. Last weekend I somehow bent a rear shock. I am running OME 762 springs and N44 shocks and never really checked what was bottoming out. After removing the shock I jacked the truck up on the one side and found the shock bottoming out. | ||
| Kennith P. Whichard III (Kennith) Senior Member Username: Kennith Post Number: 368 Registered: 05-2002 |
I think I'd personally either get longer shocks mounted higher, or raise the bump stops. From what you said I gather your shocks bottem out with up travel. As much care as you put in your truck, Greg, you might simply get longer shocks. No sense compromising now (but then I'm half-lit anyway). Cheers, Kennith | ||
| Greg Davis (Gregdavis) Senior Member Username: Gregdavis Post Number: 944 Registered: 08-2002 |
Mike, yes, I would make a spacer ring that bolts between the tower and the spring perch. Blue, I do have lockers. Just trying to see if one offers more stability than the other. Kennith, thanks for the input, but it's the longer shocks that have caused this. Perhaps you meant shorter shocks? Tha would defeat the purpose of the extra travel. Just trying to decide if I want more up or down travel. | ||
| Blue (Blue) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Blue Post Number: 186 Registered: 04-2003 |
Ahhhh....a question of stability...take the extra uptravel. Are your rear springs retained? | ||
| Greg Davis (Gregdavis) Senior Member Username: Gregdavis Post Number: 946 Registered: 08-2002 |
Yes they are, and the fronts will be also(just haven't figured out the top retainers yet). | ||
| Kennith P. Whichard III (Kennith) Senior Member Username: Kennith Post Number: 370 Registered: 05-2002 |
Sorry, Didn't think it all the way through last night. In that case, I'll agree with Blue, I'd probably go for more up-travel. That should keep her a little more stable. Cheers, Kennith | ||
| Gordon Turner (Gordo) New Member Username: Gordo Post Number: 10 Registered: 07-2003 |
MJ Lee makes longer/taller tubular front shock towers that may do the trick. Rockware can also custom make them. Just a thought! Gordo | ||
| Greg Davis (Gregdavis) Senior Member Username: Gregdavis Post Number: 948 Registered: 08-2002 |
I can do the fab work myself, but thanks for the input. |
