Shock recommendations? Bilstien?

[cruiseroutfit]

My SOA FJ40 is in need of some new shocks. While against the grain I have been really please with my Rancho 9000's, they made it 7 years, not bad for a shock that gets pretty abused. Initially I would adjust them for on and off-road use, dial them in as best I could... for the last 5 years I havn't even touched the dials

Bilsteins a good option for a "heavier" than average SOA rig? I'm literally 5500-6000 lbs when loaded for a trip.

Lastly, who is a good Bilstein dealer in SLC?

 

[1995zj]

Im running Bilstein 5125's on my ZJ...I'm sure I weigh in right about the same if not a bit more. Worked good so far, only been running them since EJS this year though.

 

[RockChucker]

my uncle runs bilstein's on his jeep and they are excellent shocks. i would say they are a good high quality shock for the price. they aren't the cheapest, but they are cheaper than others like fox shocks. i would have gone with them, but i have been happy with my teraflex vss shocks, which i'm sure wouldn't really work for you since they are valved for a much lighter jeep.

 

[BCGPER]

I've been running the Bilsteins on the LJ for 3 years now, and no issues. While he's not exactly local, Wayne treated me right on them.

 

[I Lean]

my uncle runs bilstein's on his jeep and they are excellent shocks. i would say they are a good high quality shock for the price. they aren't the cheapest, but they are cheaper than others like fox shocks. i would have gone with them, but i have been happy with my teraflex vss shocks, which i'm sure wouldn't really work for you since they are valved for a much lighter jeep.

They actually might work--they're valved for a lighter Jeep, but a coil-sprung one--so that means the valving is heavier than what you'd use on an equivalent leaf-sprung rig.

If you want to stay with an inexpensive shock, I have those or Doetsch Tech in stock at T+, so we could explore options.

That said, I'm really happy with the Bilsteins in the front of my 4runner, and would like to get some for the rear as well. I'm running the somewhat heavy (for a leaf-spring suspension) 255/70 valving and love it. You can look at Bilstein.com in the "offroad" section for the 5125 universal options, rather than vehicle specific stuff. You can also do the 5150--essentially the same shock with the little piggyback reservoir.

Locally, Jack-It will probably have them in stock. If you want to wait, I'd be surprised if Wayne wouldn't be able to get you what you want.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Thanks for the advice guys... I think the 255/70 rear shocks and 270/50 fronts would work good in my setup. I need to go measure mine up and give Wayne and Jack-It a ring.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Any familiar with the 5150's that Carl mentioned? I've got limited room on my upper mount, if I can orient the reservoir to my liking I think I can make it work. Bilsteins site says "Adjustable Shock Mount Allows Unlimited Reservoir Positioning"... Hard to tell from the pics, but is the upper mount rotateable? Thus I can position the reservoir as needed?

On the 5125's, does anyone know if the body can be mounted on the top for extra clearance on the axle. I know some shock manufactures don't design them as such. TIA

 

[1995zj]

Bilstein shocks are designed to be mounted with the shaft downward....if that is what you were asking?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Bilstein shocks are designed to be mounted with the shaft downward....if that is what you were asking?

Yes, their website pictures them differently for different applications, some shaft up, some shaft down. Some will not work in the wrong orientation, wasn't sure about the Bilsteins. I'm most likely going to do the reservoir 5150's, I just spoke with a friend that runs them and they do in deed have a rotateable reservoir.

 

[I Lean]

Yeah, the upper mount threads in and is secured with a jam nut. Since they're a monotube shock, and I believe they have an internal floating piston separating the oil from the nitrogen charge, you can mount them body up or body down, whichever fits best.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

One last Bilstien question. Do they have an internal bumpstop? Can't seem to find it indicated on their website so I'd have to guess not.

What shocks do have an internal/integrated bumpstop? I know some Doetsch Tech do, others?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Yeah, the upper mount threads in and is secured with a jam nut. Since they're a monotube shock, and I believe they have an internal floating piston separating the oil from the nitrogen charge, you can mount them body up or body down, whichever fits best.

Thanks Carl, thats what I was hoping to hear!

 

[cruiseroutfit]

CarlPlus, you guys stock any of the DT 8000 (Pre-Runner) Series at TFP?

 

[Brett]

This is probably one of those "only happened once" type things, but Steve was running Bilstein 5150 (?) on the front of his XJ. Two problems that he has had. First, the right shock stripped the threads on the shaft attaching to the mounting block on the axle side. Had to weld the shaft back to the block. Second, the left front shock snapped the upper mount of on the body side somehow.

Just a random input, since Bilstein always get's sack ridden, they're not quite perfect

 

[I Lean]

CarlPlus, you guys stock any of the DT 8000 (Pre-Runner) Series at TFP?

Nope, only stock the DT3000's. The 8000's are a tad stiff for most Jeeps, so we just order them in as needed.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Nope, only stock the DT3000's. The 8000's are a tad stiff for most Jeeps, so we just order them in as needed.

Too stiff for my Land Cruiser or a good match you think? I like the built in bumpstop as well as the 11" stroke in my length while the Rancho has ~10" and the Bilstien has 9.25".

Do you have any reference materials on the DT8000's as far as their valving?

I assume they make some different valved units in the same lengths. For instance the part numbers 8333 & 8336 both have the same open length (26.500, the same collapsed length (15.50), same mounts (EB1). There must be some difference to warrant a part number change?

 

[I Lean]

Too stiff for my Land Cruiser or a good match you think? I like the built in bumpstop as well as the 11" stroke in my length while the Rancho has ~10" and the Bilstien has 9.25".

Do you have any reference materials on the DT8000's as far as their valving?

I assume they make some different valved units in the same lengths. For instance the part numbers 8333 & 8336 both have the same open length (26.500, the same collapsed length (15.50), same mounts (EB1). There must be some difference to warrant a part number change?

AFAIK all the 3000's are valved the same, all the 8000's are valved the same, all the 9000's are valved the same (super stiff in that case).

The 3333 and 8333 are the same as far as mounting style and length, with the valving and integrated bumpstop being the difference. The 8336 probably includes different hardware or bushings or something. I know the 3265 and 3268 are that way--identical shocks, the 3268 package just includes 3/4" ID bushings as well.

 

[I Lean]

Oh, and whether the 8K's would be too stiff for you--I kinda think you'd like 'em, since your FJ has a bit of girth to it.

Just for reference, what did you have your RS 9000's set at?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...The 3333 and 8333 are the same as far as mounting style and length, with the valving and integrated bumpstop being the difference. The 8336 probably includes different hardware or bushings or something. I know the 3265 and 3268 are that way--identical shocks, the 3268 package just includes 3/4" ID bushings as well.

Ah, good call. Their application guide does show slightly different hardware for the two.

Oh, and whether the 8K's would be too stiff for you--I kinda think you'd like 'em, since your FJ has a bit of girth to it.

Just for reference, what did you have your RS 9000's set at?

I ran with my RS9000's on 3, mine were the old 5 ways ones. I've never found a Rancho guide that lists their valving options, hard enough to find chart of their lengths for their newer offerings.

Girth she has...

 

[mbryson]

I really liked the DT 8000s on my XJ. I'm not sure of it's "girth", but for an XJ, I believe it was a little porky.