Budget Shocks

[Skinny]

I'm in the process of building a truck and it's been a minute since I've bought shocks for a project truck. Seems like the norm is uber $$$ shocks on everything.

My S10 is on 33s, will be general use, has narrowed tons so will have a lot of unsprung weight.

I've always had great luck running SX8000 or DT3000 twin tubes on my Toyotas and K30s. Seems like these are quite antiquated these days.

Is it a safe assumption that something like a Bilstein 5100 would be the best cheapest option for a general use truck?

Anyone running Rubicon Express mobotubes? They seem a little cheaper then the Bilsteins but similar in specs.

I think I'll commit some money to adjustables once the rig is running and all sorted out. Maybe I should just throw some cheapo Doetsch Techs on it since I've had good luck with them in the past.

Thoughts?

 

[fl0w3n]

I think it’s hard to go wrong with 5100s, especially with how many SKUs there are to choose from

I’m happy with them on my budget build

 

[TrikeKid]

Nothin' wrong with the DTs, but 5100s would certainly be an upgrade. Not everything needs a fancy pants shock combo, especially a non-hardcore rig on leafs and 33s.

 

[subybaja]

Rancho 9000XL adjustable shocks

I tried searching but didn't see a thread or conversation on this yet. I found a decent deal($200) on a set of NIB Rancho 9000XL adjustable shocks and am wondering if anyone has experience running them and could give me some feedback. I originally was just gonna order up a set of monotube...

irate4x4.com

 

[holdmypocket]

Love the 5100's on the 67 Bronco on 33's and 78 F150 on 33's. We also put them on a SAS 97 Explorer with full width axles and 37's.. works great/comfortable.

Had Rancho 9000XL on a 69 Bronco with 35's, those were also great, pretty comparable to the 5100's if I remember correctly.

 

[mobil1syn]

I think I'll commit some money to adjustables once the rig is running and all sorted out.

buy them now since the mounting wont be the same. fox 2.0 factory series all day

 

[posford]

I run factree superdoody rear shocks on the front of my Ranger, something like 12" travel? More than I need for sure

 

[Skinny]

I guess for what I use the trucks for I may never get to the point of adjustables. Basic trail use, light rocks, deep snow, etc. Basically northeast stuff. The only thing I would get the use out of is running garbage dirt roads at speeds but I think the leaf springs may never be good at that. I have a long list of mods like gears and lockers before I ever spend the cash on higher end shocks.

My biggest concern with the lower end DTs is getting them on and finding out they don't have enough dampening. I have a lot of axle on a floppy S10 chassis which I'm unsure about how its going to handle all that extra mass. Probably shitty

So I found a size chart for the 5100 shocks. Are there any different valving available that I should know about or just basically find what fits and order it?

Anyone have any preferred vendors for Bilsteins? Looks like Amazon has limited availability plus Jeff has a big enough Yacht

 

[McBastard79]

ORD for Bilsteins. I just paid $440.00 for 4 5125s, including tax/shipping to my door.

 

[mobil1syn]

I guess for what I use the trucks for I may never get to the point of adjustables. Basic trail use, light rocks, deep snow, etc. Basically northeast stuff. The only thing I would get the use out of is running garbage dirt roads at speeds but I think the leaf springs may never be good at that. I have a long list of mods like gears and lockers before I ever spend the cash on higher end shocks.

even more reason to run a 2.0 fox with a reservoir, they will make those garbage roads smoother

 

[rattlewagon]

Another vote for ford shocks and towers. Been running these on my toyota front and rear for a long time.

 

[94toytruck]

Either go super cheap or get some rebuildable adjustable 2.0s.

Cheap shocks break/leak/suck whatever, they were cheap!

5100s bottom them to hard the seal head comes out or starts leaking, I've seen a bunch break shafts. Not really cheap, not really that much less than something decent. Throw away when they inevitably break.

Any 2.0 that's rebuilable and can be adjusted is a investment. Every peice is available if you do have a problem. There's guys out there that will get you in the ballpark for valving right out the box if you order from them.

 

[cchambers13]

Having ran really cheap Monroe/Gabriels on my solid axled 4runner a long time, I was amazed what some used fox 2.0 IFPs did for its ride in the back even with blown out TG leafs..

Tempted to splurge for matching fronts since what used to be $25 junk parts store shocks are now $50 junk shocks 😄

 

[Skinny]

Either go super cheap or get some rebuildable adjustable 2.0s.

Cheap shocks break/leak/suck whatever, they were cheap!

5100s bottom them to hard the seal head comes out or starts leaking, I've seen a bunch break shafts. Not really cheap, not really that much less than something decent. Throw away when they inevitably break.

Any 2.0 that's rebuilable and can be adjusted is a investment. Every peice is available if you do have a problem. There's guys out there that will get you in the ballpark for valving right out the box if you order from them.

I've run the Bilsteins way back in the day and leaking has always been a problem for me.

So what would you say is a good entry level adjustable 2.0 shock? Any web links to more info on where to start with something like that?

I will admit I haven't graduated into go fast but dollar link suspension with coil over as tall as me. I'm still in the poor boy leaf spring scene.

 

[mobil1syn]

2.0 remote reservoir smooth body with a 5/8” shaft.

 

[Ghetto Fab.]

You could also look around for older used fox or king shocks, rebuild them and rock on. Thats what I did for the 4runner. Found some used fox 2.0 shocks with clicker on the resis. Bought for $100, rebuilt including new shafts, and been running them on the rear since. The clickers are nice as I can adjust the damping a bit to account for being fully loaded for the trail or just empty around town.

 

[94toytruck]

I've run the Bilsteins way back in the day and leaking has always been a problem for me.

So what would you say is a good entry level adjustable 2.0 shock? Any web links to more info on where to start with something like that?

I will admit I haven't graduated into go fast but dollar link suspension with coil over as tall as me. I'm still in the poor boy leaf spring scene.

Any of the reputable 2.0 resi smooth bodys will do. Radflo, Fox maybe King. Many years ago I got my Foxes from Poly performance and told them what I had and they helped me out. Accutune and Liberty mtn fab come to mind as others that maybe able to help.

 

[arse_sidewards]

Either go super cheap or get some rebuildable adjustable 2.0s.

Cheap shocks break/leak/suck whatever, they were cheap!

5100s bottom them to hard the seal head comes out or starts leaking, I've seen a bunch break shafts. Not really cheap, not really that much less than something decent. Throw away when they inevitably break.

Any 2.0 that's rebuilable and can be adjusted is a investment. Every peice is available if you do have a problem. There's guys out there that will get you in the ballpark for valving right out the box if you order from them.

This. Build to accomodate "real shocks". Install $20 Rockauto closeout specials and they last however long they last.

I run factree superdoody rear shocks on the front of my Ranger, something like 12" travel? More than I need for sure

E-series shocks have a bayonet mount up top and 9-10" of travel so they fit perfectly on an otherwise bone stock Ranger if you use F150 coil buckets.

I'd still rather hack the buckets and weld in a F250 shock tower in there to run a bigger shock though.

 

[posford]

E-series shocks have a bayonet mount up top and 9-10" of travel so they fit perfectly on an otherwise bone stock Ranger if you use F150 coil buckets.

I'd still rather hack the buckets and weld in a F250 shock tower in there to run a bigger shock though.

I guess I didn't get into detail, but yeah, 70s coil buckets and 90s F250 shock mounts

 

[Skinny]

I just finished up the Ford shock tower install. Still on the fence of what I want to do. I may just use 5125s for now to get it on the road.

I tend to get into analysis paralysis early in a build which ends up with a full frame of restoration going soared no expense on everything and never getting done.

I think entry level 2.0 shocks are in the budget at some point though.

 

['84 Bronco II]

In my opinion, if you aren't going to a rebuildable shock, 5100/5125s are the way to go. They aren't good enough to be worth replacing working gas charged twin tubes, but if you need shocks anyway, I think they are worth the premium. Lots of available lengths and valving options. I've seen some pretty good discussion on ClassicBroncos.com about which Bilstein valving options work best.

Once you start looking at the Fox IFPs and 5160 Bilsteins, you might as well pony up for a real shock, but unless you are running high end leaves, you are just putting lipstick on a pig. For what custom leaves cost, you might as well link it anyway at that point anyway.