need new shocks and tires-what to do

[CWF]

I need to replace my shocks, and I cant decide which tires -either 265 BFG AT or 285 BFG AT. Should I go with the OME full suspension/lift, or go with new original style springs with bilstein or OME shocks for orig. ride height. Which Tires? Never off road. Weekend driver. Do not want to do anything that would hurt the drivability or value of the truck. Of course, I want it to look the best at the same time.

[TDI Guy]

The 285's would look good with a nice 2" lift using RYM springs. You would not be disappointed. It would actually handle better then stock. I think that the BFG AT is a great choice for a never offroad but a truck looking tire. A set of springs and tires will not hurt the value of your truck at all..

[Hammertime]

I put the RYM 2" lift and the OME shocks on mine. And love it I would also recomend the 30mm wheel spacers. I just put them on mine. Adjust the turning radius bolts and you will not beleive how much shorter the turning radius will be. also widens the stance for a more stable and aggressive stance. I will send youa pic if you want!

[KevinNY]

If you never wheel it and only weekend drive it then keep it stock for the next guy.

[Eric Siepmann]

Lot of money to make a truck "look" like something. Get LR OEM springs from RDS and new billstein shocks from Great Basin. AT in 265.

EwS

[mdmccallum]

Dana,

Lets see the pic!

[Ragland]

How about the 255/85 MT? IMO, the BFG MT looks better on a Defender than the AT.

Regarding the lift, has anyone tried using the spring isolators like EE shows? They claim it will give close to an inch and improve the ride. I have thought about those with HD LR springs. My thought is to go with 255's next time, and some here have mentioned it is a little tight stock.

[GYM]

Lot of money to make a truck "look" like something. Get LR OEM springs from RDS and new billstein shocks from Great Basin. AT in 265. EwS
Agreed.

[1of40]

isolators do not improve the ride. they do give you a little bit of lift, but closer to 1/2 inch is my guess. i installed them on my truck, but i'd not go through with it again. imop

[mdmccallum]

isolators do not improve the ride. they do give you a little bit of lift, but closer to 1/2 inch is my guess. i installed them on my truck, but i'd not go through with it again. imop


I agree pretty much. Not much lift but 1/2 inch may be possible. I didn't really notice a ride difference.

[Hammertime]

Get them to you fri.

[mdmccallum]

FYI, I just purchased some Fox Shox and found a very good deal from Offroad Engineering.
http://off-roadproducts.com/2_0_pro_series_.html

I went with the 2.0 Emulsion 5/8 shaft 11" travel with 40/80 valving as recommended by Keith at Rovertracks. I thought some of you guys might be interested in the deal going on right now at Offroad Engineering.

[cellulararrest]

I went with the 2.0 Emulsion 5/8 shaft 11" travel with 40/80 valving as recommended by Keith at Rovertracks. I thought some of you guys might be interested in the deal going on right now at Offroad Engineering.40/80 valving both front and back?

[mdmccallum]

40/80 valving both front and back?

Yep!
They come 30/90 which is not much different but Keith said so and I went with his expertise.

[cellulararrest]

Yep!
They come 30/90 which is not much different but Keith said so and I went with his expertise.Let me know how you like that valving. I have a set of 2.0's I need to rebuild and am planning on revalving at the same time.

[mdmccallum]

Let me know how you like that valving. I have a set of 2.0's I need to rebuild and am planning on revalving at the same time.


No problem.

[mdmccallum]

Chris,

I finally got both front and rear fox shocks installed. Either my OME shocks were old and worn out (I didn't notice any problems) or these Fox shocks are surprisingly better. I notice much less lean and body rotation on the road. I don't have any anti-roll bars so I noticed a fair amount of lean with the OME which has gone by the wayside with the Fox shocks. I can't wait to get these off road.

[cellulararrest]

good to hear. Thanks for the follow up!

And just for the hell of it... What mounting setup front and back did you end up going with? It looks like there are a bunch of options.

[evilfij]

I like the bilsteins with the stock ride height springs and 265 75 R16 tires for on road.

[mdmccallum]

good to hear. Thanks for the follow up!

And just for the hell of it... What mounting setup front and back did you end up going with? It looks like there are a bunch of options.


For the rear I went with Upper and lower mounts from Steve at Rovertym. In the front I tried to use Steve's adjustable shock towers but since the Fox shocks mount with the shock upwards and the shaft down I couldn't get the shocks body to fit into towers at the upper end. I had to go with the DII shock towers for the front and Rovertym lower mounts. I also added a 1" block under both front and rear springs. I really like the setup so far. But things always seem to change as my wheelin characteristics change. This setup should last a few years, however.

Your right about there being a bunch of options. I have been contemplating this task for about a year (since the Solihull Rally in Montrose). I finally just called keith at Rovertracks and went with his suggestions. Great guy for sure. Thanks Keith. :cool:

[rover4x4]

How are they riding? Is Keith building mounts for the FOX shocks?

[mdmccallum]

How are they riding? Is Keith building mounts for the FOX shocks?

If you are talking to me, they are nice. I had some issues to work thru though. The travel on the front was too long and I would bottom out when dropping off anything greater than 2 ft. or when I hit dips in the road at speed. I called Rovertym and we worked thru it. I feel like they are soft but not too soft. The ride is pretty nice. Definitely nicer than the OME's which were 5 yrs old. As far as mounts go, rovertym has fixed the shock tower issue and their adjustable mounts work very well.

[isleofman]

spot the problem....265 BFG AT vs 285 BFG AT :eek: I was too excited about my new trailer (thanks Dendy) to notice. Dale was kind enough to point out the tire issue. today i switched the booties to the trailer and put the stompers on the rig so things are looking better. All i have to do now is drive straight until i can take care of the rubbing when doing tight turns!!! this thread came along at just the right time. thanks.