souza
February 3rd, 2005, 12:02 PM
Ok,
So a week or two ago I buy this NSO shock mount from Matt (thanks!). It's a good deal, I snap it up. Now, of course I realize I pretty much have to replace my entire rear suspension setup. Since I don't want to be too unbalanced, some front suspension work is called for too!
here's what I'm thinking, looking for opinions, warnings, etc. First thing, I'm not just going to get ride of the mount :grin. #1 that's too easy, #2 I'm stubborn.
So, I currently have OME HD springs all the way around, with Bilstein shocks. The rear HD are a new addition, from a swap with Ken while at Rausch creek. I had the MD, but I found they sagged a bit when loaded up, I figure it's the hard top. The truck gives a firm ride now, fairly stable on the street, even without sways and the swampers, but it's probably a bit too harsh for the NE rocks I have to deal with off road. The truck is pretty level front to rear with this setup, maybe a little up in the back, but not bad. No sag no matter the weight back there.
Anyway, I need at least new rear shocks, as the bottom mount is now a loop. Apparently this mount doesn't use the really long 12 or 14s, but 10" travel shocks, yet due to the mounting angle, they go just as far. KC recommended Rancho 9114, but I'm not a Rancho fan. From the specs I pulled, I think I can get the new Bilstein 5150 to fit, although I might have to put on bigger bump stops to prevent bottoming. I considered the fox, but I think I found they didn't have a shock that was close enough in size to the Rancho 9114. The shock body can't be larger than about 15.5" compressed. The only Fox's that are small enough don't appear to have the travel to take really advantage of the mount.
Now with all that travel, I need to keep the springs in the perches somehow. I'd like to do retainers vs. cones, either EE or the hose clamp route, but I think the rear HD spring is going to prevent a lot of articulation. So I'm thinking of a spring switch, probably to Rover Tym, although sticking with the 2" lift. I don't know if I'm ready to go with the new trailing arms, radius arms, and driveshaft that I think the 3" lift will require. If I can keep the same overall lift I have now, the 34" tires should still fit fine with 2". The new springs are softer in the rear than the HD OME, but heavier than the OME MD - which I think will put me where I should be in the rear.
As for the front, I'm thinking of trying out the Scoripion Racing Evo setup for the front. It's basically cones and a new mount, with a bumpstop. I figure I can probably shove another set of Bilstein 5150 up there too, if I change the shocks mounts. I don't want to leave the front stock if I'm going to have all that travel in the rear, I prefer a more balanced setup.
So, thoughts, criticisms, flames, let it all out boys!
thanks!
Follow-up Post:
yeah, that $50 shock mounts is going to cost me about $1,000 to install :grin
So a week or two ago I buy this NSO shock mount from Matt (thanks!). It's a good deal, I snap it up. Now, of course I realize I pretty much have to replace my entire rear suspension setup. Since I don't want to be too unbalanced, some front suspension work is called for too!
here's what I'm thinking, looking for opinions, warnings, etc. First thing, I'm not just going to get ride of the mount :grin. #1 that's too easy, #2 I'm stubborn.
So, I currently have OME HD springs all the way around, with Bilstein shocks. The rear HD are a new addition, from a swap with Ken while at Rausch creek. I had the MD, but I found they sagged a bit when loaded up, I figure it's the hard top. The truck gives a firm ride now, fairly stable on the street, even without sways and the swampers, but it's probably a bit too harsh for the NE rocks I have to deal with off road. The truck is pretty level front to rear with this setup, maybe a little up in the back, but not bad. No sag no matter the weight back there.
Anyway, I need at least new rear shocks, as the bottom mount is now a loop. Apparently this mount doesn't use the really long 12 or 14s, but 10" travel shocks, yet due to the mounting angle, they go just as far. KC recommended Rancho 9114, but I'm not a Rancho fan. From the specs I pulled, I think I can get the new Bilstein 5150 to fit, although I might have to put on bigger bump stops to prevent bottoming. I considered the fox, but I think I found they didn't have a shock that was close enough in size to the Rancho 9114. The shock body can't be larger than about 15.5" compressed. The only Fox's that are small enough don't appear to have the travel to take really advantage of the mount.
Now with all that travel, I need to keep the springs in the perches somehow. I'd like to do retainers vs. cones, either EE or the hose clamp route, but I think the rear HD spring is going to prevent a lot of articulation. So I'm thinking of a spring switch, probably to Rover Tym, although sticking with the 2" lift. I don't know if I'm ready to go with the new trailing arms, radius arms, and driveshaft that I think the 3" lift will require. If I can keep the same overall lift I have now, the 34" tires should still fit fine with 2". The new springs are softer in the rear than the HD OME, but heavier than the OME MD - which I think will put me where I should be in the rear.
As for the front, I'm thinking of trying out the Scoripion Racing Evo setup for the front. It's basically cones and a new mount, with a bumpstop. I figure I can probably shove another set of Bilstein 5150 up there too, if I change the shocks mounts. I don't want to leave the front stock if I'm going to have all that travel in the rear, I prefer a more balanced setup.
So, thoughts, criticisms, flames, let it all out boys!
thanks!
Follow-up Post:
yeah, that $50 shock mounts is going to cost me about $1,000 to install :grin