Shocks for F75 Rocky

[Rick]

About to commit to new shocks for my F75. Have just about narrowed it down to OME's or Ironman - would appreciate comments re other's as well.

Problem. OME specifies two different shocks, for the front 027's and for the back N43's. Apparently the 027's have a smaller bore than the N43's. Ironman, all all the other shock suppliers specify the same shock front and back - Ironman 12645GR's, Bilstein's B46-1102, Munro's etc.
Can anyone shed any light on why OME specifies two different shocks?

My front and back springs have been reset with extra leaf's in the front and helper springs all round. This has resulted in a much firmer ride, approx 50mm lift but very bouncy - I can live with that.
As the front spings now have 3 leafs rather than the standard 2 does this mean that the lighter OME 027's may not be suitable?

Have not totally ruled out Rancho's and would appreciate feedback as to pro and cons. I am aboth to take on the Cape so 2000Kms of corrigations are ahead of me.

Pleased to hear from anyone who has constructive comments on the relative merits of which way to go for an F75. As this beast is heavier than a Feroza but still light compared to a Patrol or Cruiser am having difficulties in getting decent first hand experience.

[murcod]

Rick, I've got the Bilsteins in my Feroza and are extremely happy with them. IF you've got modified suspension have you thought about contacting the local Aussie distribuotrs and getting some custom shocks done? It shouldn't cost a lot more and should give a lot better ride etc.

Quadrant Suspension in Melbourne do Bilsteins and custom made some to suit the rear of my Feroza when there were nil stocks off the shelf to suit. Maybe try asking them what they can do? http://www.quadrantsuspensions.com.au/

I know Koni distributors can also do a similar thing with custom valving etc.

[lay80n]

Hey
i run the OMe shocks in my f75, though cant remember which ones. Mine are too chort, though i have custom leaves, so this may have something to do with it . Have had no trouble with the shock, though my steering stops touch the stone guard on teh shock at full flex and full lock. Dunno how pricing compares as i have had my shocks for a while now. Hope this helps mate
layto....

[BundyRumandCoke]

Ok, my F75 has raised suspension all round. If Ironman shocks are like their leaf springs, forget them, they are cr@p. I think I am running Landcruiser Gabriels at the moment, to deal with the lift. I have also had the problem with the steering stops fouling with the stone shields, actually also the body of the shock on full steering and articulation. Perhaps this is why different spec shocks are mentioned for front and rear. Solution, get angle grinder with metal cutting disk, cut through steering stop one or two disk thicknesses, then bend and reweld steering stop. This stops it fouling the shock.

[stumped]

i've got some rancho 9000x's (9 settings not 5) from my F75 that i could sell ya (got a zook now), they haven't done many k's. was running them with lifted springs, they're 12.250" compressed and 18.625" extended according to rancho, eye-pin. 99117 i think was the number...

gonna be away for the weekend, but lemme know if ur interested or want more info.

cheaper than new shocks

[Muddy999]

I had iron man shocks and was not real happy with them, they just seemed too hard for the F-75, though I got the 2in above standard set. I ran some tough dogs from 4ways for a long time and was happy enough with them, though eventually tore one in half and mangled it. Now I just have a cheap set of Gabriels under it because I am lucky to put 10,000km in six months on the Rocky now.

Cheers,
Heath.
(SW NSW one.)

[Rick]

Thanks for the replies. I like the sound of them 9000x's. The comments re the size of the OME's confirms one concern I had as the compressed and expanded size of them were much shorter than the ironman units. Thanks re the bilsteins, - got some details on them but at this point in time am holding off on going down this path as the beast is hard enough already especially with the beefed up springs.

Rick

[lay80n]

i've got some rancho 9000x's (9 settings not 5) from my F75 that i could sell ya (got a zook now), they haven't done many k's. was running them with lifted springs, they're 12.250" compressed and 18.625" extended according to rancho, eye-pin. 99117 i think was the number...

gonna be away for the weekend, but lemme know if ur interested or want more info.

cheaper than new shocks

Have been in STUMPED's old rocky with the 9000x and ride was pretty good. Was gonna buy em but they fair bit too short for my rig. In good condition too.

layto....

[Rick]

Thanks for that lay80n. Will crawl under the beast later on today and take some measurements re travel. Like the idea of the 9000x's but have heard some bad rap on them, but you get that with anything. BTW what shocks are you running

FYI the specs given to me for the various shocks to date are:
OME's - N43 (back) - 295 to 485 mm
OME's - 027(Front) - 240 to 429 mm
IronMan 12645GR (All round) - 311 to 496mm
Stumped's Rancho 9000x 99117 - 311 to 473 mm

Are there any tricks needed in measuring the amount of travel that you will actually need?

My primary concern over the next few months will be corrugations and that is where I am told the 9000x's fail but I am open to all feedback. The main problem is that most of the negatives come from people doing extreme driving and in rather heavy beasts compared to the Rocky.

[stumped]

only heard good things 'bout rancho's, heaps of cruiser drivers i know run em. but dunno *shrugs* i loved em on my rocky...

BEST way to measure is to undo the shocks and ramp it up on something like a mound or rock or ramp. ramp front and rear, measure compressed and extended lenghts. if ya can't do that easily, try doing it with jacks...

[Rick]

An update on the sizes of shocks in my beast. I currently have Munro Gas shocks on board. Disconnected these and checked out my travel.
Front went from 390 to 490 mm and back from 425 to 390 mm. Compression was tested by jacking up one wheel untill the other wheel, front or back was also lifted. Under full load the mininum (compressed) length still hava fair way to go before the stops would be hit, but the extended length is pretty much out there. The Munro's went from 330 mm to 515 mm.
Will try and check out compressed length up to the stops tomorrow.