Any benefit to remote reservoir shocks?

[no-pistons]

I don't think you will find anyone who will tell you that monotubes are better. The decision to make is if the benefits outweigh the cost for your application.

I debated for quite a while on running external reservoir shocks on my 110 for a trip to South America. I ended up running OME monotubes and I never once thought about my shocks during the trip. They did their job very well even over washboard roads and very spirited driving through terrible terrain. I'm running monotube shocks on my Excursion right now which will see plenty of rutted and washboard roads in Northern New England and I'm not worried about them. If money were no object then I would certainly run externals, or even some triple bypass shocks for major bling factor. The truth is that for my application, the extra money would be better spent on fuel or lodging so that I could stay on the journey for as long as possible.

I think OME are twin tube, not mono tube.


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[ExploringNH]

I think OME are twin tube, not mono tube.


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You are correct. I should rephrase to say "non-remote reservoir".

The shocks on the Excursion are Zone Nitro shocks and are also twin-tube design.

 

[pappawheely]

Remote reservoirs allow space for the fluid displaced by the shaft. You usually get larger diameter shafts with the remote reservoirs. Minute changes to the valving can also be done by varying the nitrogen pressure.

 

[joneseyyy]

A secondary by-pass does wonders too! can really fine tune it to fit your style...better performing suspension does wonders for driver fatigue, worth every dollar..

I generally agree (I'm running secondary bypasses up front and bypasses in the rear), but yeah, the cost (up front) and added shock rebuilds definitely aren't for everyone, at this point you're talking many times the cost of an OME setup.

Here's my front end:

 

[Clutch]

I generally agree (I'm running secondary bypasses up front and bypasses in the rear), but yeah, the cost (up front) and added shock rebuilds definitely aren't for everyone, at this point you're talking many times the cost of an OME setup.

Here's my front end:

Nice!

Yeah not for everyone...comes down to how much you want to spend. Some guys are fine with OME's...others have to go full tilt. Believe Solo Motorsports has the longest travel kit out there at 19" for a Tacoa while retaining 4WD...looks BEEF! Once you have driven a nicely equipped truck it is real hard to go back to lowend, especially bouncing around Baja

 

[Buliwyf]

Remote reservoirs allow space for the fluid displaced by the shaft. You usually get larger diameter shafts with the remote reservoirs. Minute changes to the valving can also be done by varying the nitrogen pressure.

+1. This exactly.
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You can build a monotube shock that deos EVERYTHING a remote reservoir shock can. But it would be too darn long to fit in the fender well because it needs length for the air chamber that compresses when the shaft travels in and displaces oil. More travel and thicker shafts mean larger air chambers. That's the only real reason remotes exist, it allows somewhere for the oil to go while maintaining a shorter shock. (unless "bling bling" is also a valid reason?)
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Varying the flow of oil to create a hydraulic packing, has allways seemed like a bandaid adjustment for incorrect piston setups. A little is harmless, but I'm not impressed by that feature. Just set my pistons right so I don't have to mess with the flow in/out on my reservoir. I suppose it would be great to slow rebound a little. But I don't recall ever having a problem with fast rebound.

 

[86tuning]

Additionally, remote reservoir shocks can allow you to get a long travel shock in a smaller space.

This is the major reason for me to fit remotes onto my 80-series. To maximize up travel for higher speed stuff, and maximize articulation while retaining a lower ride height.

I basically have a 10" travel shock in the same space that the original 7-8" travel shocks fit. You can set it up for more droop or up travel depending on your design requirements.

And what everyone else says about tuning the dampers. A good shock tuning specialist is like a good artist. Doesn't matter what paint you use if you can't draw.

If somebody makes a kit for your truck, the premium dampers will be worth the extra cost. Buy once cry once...

 

[01tundra]

Same reason I ran them on my old truck - space vs. required travel.

As far as ride, I couldn't tell the difference between any of them, but I wasn't racing across the desert either.

If remote reservoir isn't needed for a particular application (limited shock space, high speed application, etc.), then it's a waste of money for something that looks cool IMO.

 

[toddz69]

You can build a monotube shock that deos EVERYTHING a remote reservoir shock can. More travel and thicker shafts mean larger air chambers. That's the only real reason remotes exist, it allows somewhere for the oil to go while maintaining a shorter shock. (unless "bling bling" is also a valid reason?)

.

No, the real reason remote reservoirs exist is to increase the oil volume and the surface area for that volume for increased cooling for the shock absorber.

Todd Z.