best shocks for ride comfort and articulation

Post by **zookster666** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 2:21 pm

I just wanted to know what the best shock brand is for ride comfort and articulation?
i have removed leaves out of the spring packs and it was really soft untill i put the shocks back on then it was like i never removed the leaves.
I know its a zook and they are never a great ride but this is stiff as.
cheers jesse

Post by **GRPABT1** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:41 am

I've got a pair of boss 12 way adjustables from www.suspensionstuff.com.au that will be fitted this week. They seem the goods with alot of difference in lowest and highest setting for tunability and aren't too stiff on the lowest setting like most big bore shocks. I'll let you know how they go.

Post by **11_evl** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 10:05 am

GRPABT1 wrote:I've got a pair of boss 12 way adjustables from www.suspensionstuff.com.au that will be fitted this week. They seem the goods with alot of difference in lowest and highest setting for tunability and aren't too stiff on the lowest setting like most big bore shocks. I'll let you know how they go.

im interested to hear how they work as well

Post by **GRPABT1** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:08 pm

The ones I have are super long and custom mounted to suit my 3/4 elliptic rear so they should be similar to what you'd need evl with the flex you have. When money permits I'll be getting some bolt on hoops for the front and some to suit the front so I can get a bit more stiffness on road for cornering.

Post by **Gwagensteve** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:58 pm

Have a read of my suspension thread:

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/phpBB2/vi ... 97#1147697

Unless you change mounts/space bumpstops, there's only a TINY amount of wheel travel to be gained between the brands.

So in terms of travel, they're all going to be much of a muchness if you are comparing shocks for stock mounts.

In terms of ride - sierras have short springs with limited compression travel (and not much travel full stop) so generally, suspension designers run a fairly stiff shock to stop the car bottoming too hard. They'll normally have quite a lot of compression valving.

If you step up to custom shocks (something from a different application) the risk is there to get it all wrong. I've been in some cars with "cool" shocks on "cool" mounts that were a complete steaming nard to drive.

I run OME N76's on my builds, but with about 11" of travel they're a waste on standard length springs in all honesty, and the mounts are a complete PITA to work into a car because of the compressed length.

Personally, I'd just throw some OME sierra shocks in it and call it good.

Post by **mrRocky** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:21 pm

not rancho 5000's thats for sure, i need a cushion on my seat.

Post by **zookster666** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:55 pm

so basically there aren't really any shocks that give a softer ride my springs wont even compress to the bumpstops and only travel down about 5''

cheers jesse

Post by **gypsy** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:45 pm

i got some hilux and como ones from supershit took some leafs out and its a good ride,nice and soft and lots of flex.

Post by **zookster666** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:05 pm

wat sort of commodor ones? front or rear? same with hilux front or rear?

Post by **grimbo** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:42 pm

zookster666 wrote:so basically there aren't really any shocks that give a softer ride my springs wont even compress to the bumpstops and only travel down about 5''

cheers jesse

what you're talking about here is to do with your springs not the shocks.

Shocks aren't completely responsible for a soft ride. They are a component of the whole package. Just chucking soft shocks in isn't going to suddenly make a Sierra ride softer. The only way to that is to increase the wheelbase, the further you sit from the axles the better the ride is. And to lengthen the springs which is why RUFs work well.

Post by **MUD-PIGSIERRA** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 10:44 pm

And a flatter leaf pack helps.

Post by **alien** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 11:42 pm

my setup is almost completely flat leaves (longer ones though) and a very stiff shock... this makes the ride awesome for handling and bearably firm... its not what i'd call "comfortable" but its "get-used-to-able", of which you cant ask much more from a tall SWB loaf of bread... with this setup my zuk has passed the dreaded "lane change test" and has been wheeled hard on an offroad for over a year since...

if you want to smooth things out more, and its a lot of work, extend the wheelbase and lengthen the leaves. Dont forget to check tyre pressure too.

Post by **lay80n** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 7:10 am

zookster666 wrote:wat sort of commodor ones? front or rear? same with hilux front or rear?

In the bible there is a 5 page thread on these shocks. Hi-ace rear shocks in the rear, and solid rear axle sedan commodore rear shocks in the front. But read the thread before you race out and buy the, you need to have extended bump stops and extended brake lines at least. Its not the best mod, but it does work. We orignally did it as i had access to almost free shocks at the time.

As for the OP's axle not reaching bump stops. If it doesnt reach the bump stop at full flex, you have to figure out why. This is not normal. Take your shocks off completley and see if they are too long (are they standard oned fitted currently?). It it still doesnt get to the bump stop, check your springs. Also check that nothing is fouling on the suspension/axle/wheel

Layto....

Post by **Suspension Stuff** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 8:14 am

As far as comfort is concerned, nobody will be on the softest setting with Boss adjustable shocks. The body is 60mm in diameter so this has to be taken into consideration because there isn't a lot of room in there. We have traditionally used 55mm body shocks but I haven't checked with the 60mm shocks.

If you move mounts Boss shocks will be the best to use and they are available up to over 1 metre in length.

Shane

Post by **Gwagensteve** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 9:24 am

4WD Stuff -

These Boss shocks might well be the business, but this is exactly the sort of spiel we've been hearing from Rancho for years.

1m of extended length, 60mm body and 12 stage adjustability might all be great in some applications - like the rear of GRPABT1's car, but that's not what a sierra with standard spring lengths and deleaved packs needs.

Shocks aren't pencil extensions, they're a tuned part of the suspension. sierras have stiff shocks to control a high resonant frequency of the spring, short travel and quite a high rate (220 lb/" - that's 50% more rate than the front of my 2500kg Gwagen!)

Under damped sierras are terrible to drive too- especially cars that are also de-leaved to lower spring rate, they crash through to the bumpstops all the time and end up all loose and scary.

I use N76 OME's, and these have plenty of travel for nearly any suspension configuration, but more importantly they are very well valved for a softly spruing sierra - they're a rebound valved shock so they help to prevent the bounce - however. they are a massive PITA to mount- they're far too long to be useful unless the car is heavily modified.

I acutally suspect they'd be far too soft for a car with stock front springs, for example. With limited compression travel and a highish rate, the ride would be terrible.

I'm still convinced zookster666 was chasing a fitment for a stock mount/stock travel configuration. I'd still say a well valved non adjustable shock is all that's required.

Steve.

Post by **Suspension Stuff** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 9:44 am

If you are worried about the shocks being too soft then just turn the knob untill you find the ride you like. Setting 12 will be too firm.

The smallest Boss shock we have so far is about 370mm extended from centre of eye to centre of eye and there are 20 different lengths to choose from between 1058mm and 370mm. You do lose about an inch of travel having an adjuster though.

I am believer though that firmer is quite often more comfortable. We see it regularly with leaf sprung vehicles. If the shock is too soft it allows the spring to travel to the bottom of its oscillation quickly which stops you in a hurry and then reverses the motion quite violently.

Boss shocks have a much larger range of adjustment then Ranchos.

These are extended and compressed eye to eye measurements if anyone is interested.

1050
609

896
532

820
494

782
475

740
454

720
444

705
436

686
427

645
406

638
403

620
394

605
386

595
381

580
374

555
361

522
345

490
329

422
299

370
273

These are the extended and compressed measurements from base of pin to centre of eye.

1037
596

883
519

807
481

769
462

727
441

707
431

692
423

673
414

632
393

625
390

607
381

592
373

582
368

567
361

542
348

509
332

477
316

409
282

357
256

Post by **Gwagensteve** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:04 am

I don't think the Boss shocks could work on stock mounts without a loss of travel then - here's a photo next to a tape measure. It's not the best, but it gives you an idea.

Steve.

Post by **Gwagensteve** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:05 am

PS - the longest yellow shock is an N76.

The blue one is a 80 series rear

The green one is a rancho: 99112 from memory. (could be wrong)

Steve.

Post by **11_evl** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:14 am

Gwagensteve wrote:PS - the longest yellow shock is an N76.

The blue one is a 80 series rear

The green one is a rancho: 99112 from memory. (could be wrong)

Steve.

what do they measure closed?

so you use the yellow ones on the front in the STOCK mounting locations??

Post by **Gwagensteve** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:17 am

No not at all. They won't even go near the stock locations fully compressed

N76's are a pain to mount, but they're so nicely valved (assuming they are mounted fairly vertical) have no gimmicks, a steel shock hood, and are reliable.

Post by **Gwagensteve** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:29 am

Found the specs on the N76 - they're 685 extended and 408 compressed.

Steve.

Post by **zookieboi** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:50 am

monroe shocks just got em yesterday .
extend to 600mm

i worked it out their just right for a 2-4 inch lift

Post by **Gwagensteve** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 11:08 am

Are you sure?

I think you mean they are perfect for a sierra with a minimum of 50mm of bumpstop spacing.

Lift height has nothing to do with shock length, really, it doesn't.

The only figure that matters in relation to shock length is compressed length.

In the instance there (and I assume they are commodore shocks?) you need at least 50mm of bumpstop spacer to prevent the shock bottoming before the axle hits the bumpstop.

In any case, a sierra with 2-4" of spring lift with stockish shackle length and stock spring mount locations still only has about 6" of wheeltravel anyway, so adding a shock with 4" more shaft travel is a waste.

I know this becuse I have those shocks on my car with shackles and stock length front springs with 2" bumpstop spacers.

Steve.

Post by **zookieboi** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 11:25 am

Gwagensteve wrote:Are you sure?

I think you mean they are perfect for a sierra with a minimum of 50mm of bumpstop spacing.

Lift height has nothing to do with shock length, really, it doesn't.

The only figure that matters in relation to shock length is compressed length.

In the instance there (and I assume they are commodore shocks?) you need at least 50mm of bumpstop spacer to prevent the shock bottoming before the axle hits the bumpstop.

In any case, a sierra with 2-4" of spring lift with stockish shackle length and stock spring mount locations still only has about 6" of wheeltravel anyway, so adding a shock with 4" more shaft travel is a waste.

I know this becuse I have those shocks on my car with shackles and stock length front springs with 2" bumpstop spacers.

Steve.

yeah commodore shocks. compressed they are about 2-3 inches longer than the stocko's. i was thinking of getting a shackle lengthen kit to be on the safe side, tell me what you think also was thinking of getting bumpstop spacers
ben.

Post by **Gwagensteve** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 11:41 am

shackles won't stop the axle moving up and hitting the bumpstop in the stock location... except now the shock will be the bumpstop. You don't want this.

Bumpstop spacers and/or taller mounts are the only ways to fix this problem. Bumpstop spacers are easy, taller mounts are hard.

Steve.

Post by **zookieboi** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:05 pm

Gwagensteve wrote:shackles won't stop the axle moving up and hitting the bumpstop in the stock location... except now the shock will be the bumpstop. You don't want this.

Bumpstop spacers and/or taller mounts are the only ways to fix this problem. Bumpstop spacers are easy, taller mounts are hard.

Steve.

would you mind telling me how you spaced the bumpstop and how is the comfort with the monroe shocks?

Post by **lay80n** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 1:20 pm

zookieboi wrote:
Gwagensteve wrote:shackles won't stop the axle moving up and hitting the bumpstop in the stock location... except now the shock will be the bumpstop. You don't want this.

Bumpstop spacers and/or taller mounts are the only ways to fix this problem. Bumpstop spacers are easy, taller mounts are hard.

Steve.
would you mind telling me how you spaced the bumpstop and how is the comfort with the monroe shocks?

I have fitted the commodore shocks to a few zooks before. We just used a 50x50 RHS section and some longer bolts to space the bump stop down. If your axle is moved forward you will need to offset your spacer too.

Layto....

Post by **zookieboi** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 1:32 pm

alrighty then cheers. i just tested them theres not much travel in them so i think ill get some extended shackles.
shoulda checked how they fit before buying them

Post by **lay80n** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 1:35 pm

zookieboi wrote:alrighty then cheers. i just tested them theres not much travel in them so i think ill get some extended shackles.
shoulda checked how they fit before buying them

How do you mean not much travel? If you are using up all your shock length shackles wont make you travel more. If your talking about up travel, you can move the upper mount to get more without lifting the car any higher.

Layto....

Post by **zookieboi** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 1:37 pm

lay80n wrote:
zookieboi wrote:alrighty then cheers. i just tested them theres not much travel in them so i think ill get some extended shackles.
shoulda checked how they fit before buying them
How do you mean not much travel? If you are using up all your shock length shackles wont make you travel more. If your talking about up travel, you can move the upper mount to get more without lifting the car any higher.

Layto....

i mean it fully compresses around 2 inches lower than sitting height.

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best shocks for ride comfort and articulation

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