Off-roading Shocks

[hunter11]

I am in the process of modifying my 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 for off-roading. Does anyone know if Bilstein Shocks supports this model? Should I go for another brand?

 

[dvdswan]

Before going to a specific brand of shock, IMO figure out what your style of off-roading you have. i.e. rocks, dirt roads, mud, sand, etc. Whatever style you plan on doing the most of then look for a brand that will support that terrain. Most will say a shock doesn't care about that and a shock is a shock. Which is true to a point. But a stock shock won't perform well if you blasting across the desert at 60 mph.

 

[77 K20]

http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/shocks.htm

Here are some options. You running a lift?

 

[theblindchicken]

Like @dvdswan mentioned, figure out what type of terrain you'll be using your truck in first, then plan your build around that. If you're gonna be all twisted up and going pretty slow all the time, then you should be fine with pretty much any shock. The faster you want to go, the nicer the shocks you'll want.

Bilsteins are a nice all around shock company that produce well performing and long lasting shocks that are from upgraded stock replacements to actual off-road race specs. Rancho also makes nice shocks that are upgrades from factory. Sway A Way, Fox, and King make very nice shocks that are well known throughout offroad racing teams, but they do come with a nice price tag as well.

Shocks are about keeping the tires to the ground and ensuring controlled suspension movement. Also, give us an idea of a budget you have in mind for what you're willing to spend on a set of shocks.

 

[Frankenchevy]

I’m a huge fan of Fox when it counts, budget permitting. I’ve had fox stuff on countless two wheeled stuff, but don’t wheel my square hard enough to need anything special.

This is my four wheeled off-road toy with Fox shocks. It’ll fly over rocks faster than most people feel comfortable. Took it and the toy hauler up to the rubicon and loon lake a couple weeks ago.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[shiftpro]

I go with Doetsch shocks. Very good... very affordable.
They have several models including massive by-pass shocks like the Fox Franken is talking about... only much cheaper.
The models I recommend are the mono-tube. They build them to suit your vehicle and driving style. You can also rebuild these shocks on your own. They will set you up with instructions and you can even change the valving if you let them know what you want.
You can buy these shocks with reservoir or add them later when your budget is back up to snuff.
Also, this is a small family run company our of California.
http://www.shocksandsuspension.com/productinfo.asp?item=6&dc=1

 

[Frankenchevy]

I go with Doetsch shocks. Very good... very affordable.
They have several models including massive by-pass shocks like the Fox Franken is talking about... only much cheaper.
The models I recommend are the mono-tube. They build them to suit your vehicle and driving style. You can also rebuild these shocks on your own. They will set you up with instructions and you can even change the valving if you let them know what you want.
You can buy these shocks with reservoir or add them later when your budget is back up to snuff.
Also, this is a small family run company our of California.
http://www.shocksandsuspension.com/productinfo.asp?item=6&dc=1

Those actually look really nice. I think I might swoop on a set of those for my square. I’m liking that they’re self serviceable.

 

[Dish]

F.o.a shocks work and look great and are best price for shocks that are above the hydro or gas shocks that superlift or skyjacker or any lift company sends with lift ...they are equal to fox,or king, same caliber of shock for i saved 100.00 per shock and got them chromed and still saved 100.00 per shock

 

[73c20jim]

Remember shocks are spring dampers. The spring absorbs most of the "shock". The shock tries to get the spring form oscillating.

But you probably knew that.

 

[theblindchicken]

F.o.a shocks work and look great and are best price for shocks that are above the hydro or gas shocks that superlift or skyjacker or any lift company sends with lift ...they are equal to fox,or king, same caliber of shock for i saved 100.00 per shock and got them chromed and still saved 100.00 per shock

FOA's quality may have gone up, but they've been known for bad seals and tend to leak very quickly. One of the best upgrades for them is to buy and install the seal kit from King to stop them from leaking.

 

[shiftpro]

FOA's quality may have gone up, but they've been known for bad seals and tend to leak very quickly. One of the best upgrades for them is to buy and install the seal kit from King to stop them from leaking.

And poor service...

 

[smoothandlow84]

Before going to a specific brand of shock, IMO figure out what your style of off-roading you have. i.e. rocks, dirt roads, mud, sand, etc. Whatever style you plan on doing the most of then look for a brand that will support that terrain. Most will say a shock doesn't care about that and a shock is a shock. Which is true to a point. But a stock shock won't perform well if you blasting across the desert at 60 mph.

Stock shocks...yeah they will fade quickly under those circumstances.

 

[smoothandlow84]

F.o.a shocks work and look great and are best price for shocks that are above the hydro or gas shocks that superlift or skyjacker or any lift company sends with lift ...they are equal to fox,or king, same caliber of shock for i saved 100.00 per shock and got them chromed and still saved 100.00 per shock

I disagree . Are you seriously trying to compare those p.o.s shocks to Fox or King? Thats funny.....truly funny. They aren't even close to being in the same league.

 

[smoothandlow84]

I’m a huge fan of Fox when it counts, budget permitting. I’ve had fox stuff on countless two wheeled stuff, but don’t wheel my square hard enough to need anything special.

This is my four wheeled off-road toy with Fox shocks. It’ll fly over rocks faster than most people feel comfortable. Took it and the toy hauler up to the rubicon and loon lake a couple weeks ago.

You must be registered for see images attach

I have custom valved and tuned Fox shocks on my rzr as well. Tuned correctly for the terrain and type of application, they have never let me down. I have also had King on several vehicles including our Rhino and other than the sticker shock of them, they were also fantastic.

 

[Frankenchevy]

I have custom valved and tuned Fox shocks on my rzr as well. Tuned correctly for the terrain and type of application, they have never let me down. I have also had King on several vehicles including our Rhino and other than the sticker shock of them, they were also fantastic.

They are pretty incredible. I’m still amazed every time at how fast you can go through rock gardens and it feels like a caddy. Over 170hp in a rzr needs a good shock to stay planted.

To tell you the truth, I don’t know how much the Fox’s run for a SXS. They came factory on the rzr turbo.