Best type of shock?

[TXH3T]

I'm replacing the shocks on my truck as the ones I currently have give no ride comfort at all off road. The truck shakes so bad my tow hooks came off and the girl in the back seat made me pull over a while. I feel like decently slow going on dirt roads shouldnt do that. Yes there are washboards but it seems ridiculous. Anyway I really want a shock that will handle the wash boards and dirt roads without making my passengers feel like James bonds favorite drink. The guy at my dealership quoted me 950 without tax for bilstein reservoir shocks in the front and mono tube bilsteins in the back. Seems high.... Really high but I could be wrong. What shocks would anyone recommend and where's a good place to get them installed?

 

[M22KLARS]

I would love to get my hands on the RidgeDemon tuned Fox shocks.....

 

[alrock]

Stock shocks are pretty easy to install - reservoir, not so sure.

I would not go to the dealership for aftermarket parts like this as they tend to have high markup due to high overhead. Find a good local shop and buy through them, or bring them into a shop. Perhaps go to 4wheelparts in PHX.

I don't know if you're going to get a smooth ride on washboard roads w/o airing down or driving a 1970s Caddy.

 

[Bigunit]

I would love to get my hands on the RidgeDemon tuned Fox shocks.....

Chris, I'd have to agree with M22 about the RD-tuned Fox shocks that Brodie sells. He has a custom-tuned rear Fox shocks available just for the 3T. I just happen to have a set of those - I'll post pics sometime tomorrow with more details.

 

[ReconH3]

A few things you need to know. Pickups, when not carrying a load in the bed will generally ride rough. Leaf springs contribute to this. They are great for carrying heavy loads but suck for comfort. Definitely getting Fox shocks is going to make a huge improvement. Like others suggested, airing down will help some too.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

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[TXH3T]

Thanks everyone. Not too much experience on shocks yet but im sure I will get there. I will check those Ridge Demon Fox shocks out. They sound like what I am looking for. I need to get an air compressor so I can air down and fill up again when I hit the pavement. Sadly Ill have to wait until next paycheck to even start purchasing

 

[TXH3T]

Maybe I missed it but Im assuming they arent on his website?

 

[TrailBreaker]

I am going to have to agree with everyone here as well, the FOX shocks are great! I have a set of FOX Resi shocks on my 3T, and they make a world of difference.

Install was easy, just bolt them in, the only extra step is for the front set, there is a tab that needs to be attached to the tower that holds the Resi in place so it does not rotate around and contact the upper A arm.

 

[Flash]

I need to get an air compressor so I can air down and fill up again when I hit the pavement. Sadly Ill have to wait until next paycheck to even start purchasing

I use a Co2 tank for my air ups. I am also looking at shocks. Many owners have used Bilsteins. 5100 series seems to be offered at Trail Duty. Bilstein also has a HD (yellow/Blue) that likely approximates my OEM shocks. Online prices seem to run around $70-90 dollars each. I do recall Brodie not caring for the Bilsteins and "designing" an alternate. Reads like he has done that with Fox.

 

[TXH3T]

Im running the Bilstein 5100 in the front I believe. I was hoping to change directions to a better shock for heat reasons. When I start on the washboards they seem to do fine but after a few miles I can feel the change in ride wich im guessing means the oil is getting way too hot from fast hards compressions. At least thats what happens in the oil/air shocks in our aircraft so I could be wrong. Trailbreaker which model shock are you running and how much did they run you if you dont mind me asking.

 

[TrailBreaker]

TX, I am not sure which model they are. I will get soem pics up tomorrow if you like.

I got mine used from Bebe so they were only $600 for the set. A smokin deal in my opinion

 

[Bigunit]

Here are the RD-tuned Fox shocks for the 3T that I picked up from Ridge Demon/Brodie. They are the Fox 2.0 Pro Series with the 5/8 shaft with 60/90 valving (medium/hard) set for 7,000+ lbs. As you can see, I haven't put them on yet and can't yet provide a review or comments about them. However, klips has them on his 3T and can chime in with his comments but he did tell me that he really likes them, especially off-road. I'm not sure how much travel they have but I would guess about 10". Brodie can provide more details. I will post-up a review as soon as I get them on and put a few offroad miles on them - hopefully in the next month. These shocks can be rebuilt and revalved.

 

[f5moab]

Without the external reservoirs, will those fox have the same problems on heavy off road use as factory, Bilsteins, etc.?

Just curious; I'm getting two free rear shocks; hopefully by next week, thanks to Generous Motors, but at 40K thinking I might as well replace the two front too. Might just go OEM for the front.

 

[SWANK3T]

I think those fox shocks are where I need to be!

 

[Bigunit]

Fox shocks are supposed to be valved differently than other brands of shocks to avoid heat issues. But the proof is in the pudding and I guess we will find out soon!

 

[f5moab]

I guess the only problem I have had with the factory shocks was up in the mtns of Colorado a few months ago on a long washboard road. But it appears my rear shocks were probably gone by then and now the dealer is replacing them. Other than that one road, I have had no real problems, and last year in ID on some washboard roads it handled ok. That's why I'm sort of swaying toward just replacing the front with the stock OEMs.

 

[theBroken]

5100's
As stated earlier I never liked the 5100's off road. They were fine on road, a little slow in reacting but for a replacement shock they are ok. I run stock alpha shocks on the front of my H3. Others have had warranty issues with the 5100's because your not allowed to use them on automobiles, yes I typed that correctly, bilstein will not warranty their shocks if you use them... for what they are intended for, or something like that. I've had bilsteins in the past on daily drivers and race cars and have always found them to perform well. The 5100's I just never liked.

RD tuned Fox 2.0's
I was kinda waiting to release these with a kit, shox, shackles and links. The shox have now been tested on a few different H3's and H3T's for over a year and I've got nothing but great feedback. They are not on the website yet but they will be. If you would like a set just email me and I can give details.

They will be priced at 325$ shipped to most US locations. They are 100% able to be rebuilt so if and when they ware out they can be rebuilt for less than a new stock shock. Need to specify if you got a H3 or H3T. just PM me or email me at brodie@ridgedemon.com

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As for performance they let you do stupid **** like this.

 

[M22KLARS]

Brodie are the RD FOX 2.0 shocks only for the rear? I want new rear shocks but I NEED new front shocks.

 

[06 H3]

that is just for shocks not the kit right?

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[theBroken]

that is just for shocks not the kit right?

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yeah just for the shox. Shackles and links I'm still working out.

 

[theBroken]

that is just for shocks not the kit right?

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I started looking for a good front shox through fox. They are just too expensive. Just for 1 side the channel that mounts to the bottom of the shock and to the A arm cost 30$ just for 1. I'm currently working on some spring overs to eliminate the Tbars. Won't be for a long time though.

 

[M22KLARS]

Sounds good. I picked up some 1.5" rear shackes off craigslist for $40. Dude said he was getting the Rancho over the winter. Now I figure I will team those up with some RD 2.0's. I'll be in touch.

 

[3Hummers]

Brodie, thanks for releasing the shocks early. I am coming up on 65,000 miles on the H3 so I am not far from needing shocks. I am sure you wil sell several sets of these quickly.

 

[TXH3T]

Ya I am at 63,000 miles on my 09 :emb: Guess I just love driving it too much. Anyway I am on the same set of rear shocks it came with and the front I got the Bilsteins when I leveled it at around 25,000 miles. How much do install on shocks usually run on those shocks of yours brodie? Something a local shop could do? Also Shouldnt I run a larger shock in the front with a res on it for the added weight of an arb winch etc? Or would a rancho shock work well for the front

 

[theBroken]

Ya I am at 63,000 miles on my 09 :emb: Guess I just love driving it too much. Anyway I am on the same set of rear shocks it came with and the front I got the Bilsteins when I leveled it at around 25,000 miles. How much do install on shocks usually run on those shocks of yours brodie? Something a local shop could do? Also Shouldnt I run a larger shock in the front with a res on it for the added weight of an arb winch etc? Or would a rancho shock work well for the front

You can install the shocks yourself. There's 3 bolts, you don't need power tools, it takes 10mins. You can do it in your driveway. I'm guessing that a shop will charge you .5 or 1 hour labor to do it. Labor is typically just under 100$ a hour in most cases and some places charge a minimum of 1 hour even if it takes less.

Rancho's are not a bad shock. They are rebranded BDS shocks so you should be able to find the same rancho shock as a BDS for 1/2 the price.