When and why: Dual front shocks on an E-series 4x4?

[505live]

I'm curious, under what conditions is it a good idea to have dual front shocks on a 4x4 conversion? In this very hypothetical situation, say a guy got a very low mileage 1995 AS B190 and wanted to do a (UJOR of course) 6" on 35s conversion, does a vehicle of this size warrant dual shocks, or is it independent of size and more a function of the vehicle's off-road application?

 

[ujoint]

Don't have to use duals with that setup. Wouldn't hurt but a single 2.0 res would be a nice upgrade over a standard shock.

 

[CodyY]

Dual shocks are valved for that particular application, 2x the oil with the same overall damping effect prevents the heat buildup that causes the shocks to fade and seals to fail.

 

[tgreening]

Timely topic so I'll toss in my question. I think it fits the subject matter.

I understand the concept of the res shock, and the dual res shocks, but here's my thing. I've been wheeling various crap since the early 80's from the Republic of California to Maine, and have never used anything but a standard shock. Not necessarily stock shocks, but I've never used dual shocks or shocks with a reservoir, and have never noticed any issues.

Now the wheeling I've done has never been of the hi-speed through the whoop-dee-do type, but rather slow speed trail riding. It was always my understanding that reservoir shocks whether singles or duals, shined when the front suspension was getting a serious and continuous workout, something I don't envision happening on my Ambo, ever.

My 6.4 diesel F-450 with the Super D60 up front and Dana 110 out back uses single non reservoir shocks all the way around and gets along just fine, and weighing in at a solid 9,400 lbs is not giving anything up in that department to the ambulance.

Am I wrong in seeing no particular reason to stick a single reservoir shock up front on my Ambo, let alone duals?

 

[ujoint]

No, you're not wrong. And you can always upgrade later if you feel the need after some miles of use.

 

[tgreening]

What do you have going on as far as shocks go these days? I know you were doing some switching up, but exactly what escapes me at the moment. I'm in need of some shock love.

 

[Stumpalump]

Duel shocks are a throw back from the 70's. They did not have valve choice so two shocks doubled the compression and rebound.
Heat is not going to be an issue unless you beat your rig hard for miles on bumpy roads. Feel your shocks next time out and see if they are hot. If not then your OK. Duel shocks today are for looks. The duel shocks that you see on race buggys are different. One shock holds the spring and controls rebound. The other is only used for compression damping. That shock is refers to as bypass or a bypass shock. Basically at different heights of travel you can alter the compression damping by bypassing fluid. They have bypass tubes on them with an adjustment knob to control the amount of fluid or compression at a given height of travel. The deeper in the stroke you get the firmer you want it and it's all adjustable.

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

"DISCO Trucks" comes to mind. It is one way to double your shock sales.

You can't keep your hand on a shock that is only 140 degrees and that is not hot in the shock world.

If you want to see how much your shocks are working, put a Zip Tie around the shock shaft, just below the shock body, and drive it around your normal routes. It will tell you just how much your shocks and suspension are moving. Of course it only records the biggest hit, but you might just be surprised.

I'm suspension tuning a new Class 10 ID Designs race car this weekend - I'll try to post some video and pictures of the shocks...

 

[ujoint]

What do you have going on as far as shocks go these days? I know you were doing some switching up, but exactly what escapes me at the moment. I'm in need of some shock love.

For singles we're still using the Bilstein 5100's, dual shock disco 70's rigs (our throwback upgrade) is running the Fox 2.0 res. sometimes we mix it up 80's style with just a single 2.0 res at each corner.

 

[tgreening]

I wouldnt be surprised at all by the movement, or mostly lack of, at least on road. Not my first rodeo.

And shoot, dual shocks is nothin. Back in the 80's the measure of capability and engineering know-how was how many shocks you could stuff at each corner and how many tubes you could have on a roll bar before you ran out of room.

Ahhh, the good ol' days.

 

[philos]

Hahaha. I remember they used to be lined up in front of all the off road shops in town.
Good old days, indeed.


Sent via flux capacitor

 

[bugwhacker]

I have thought about using a Bronco or f250 duel shock tower on my e350 econoline. My reasoning is that I know I can buy good single shocks here with a trip to the parts store but that never works without getting something drop shipped down in SA. And with a heavy diesel powered van I know I am going to kill shocks down there. Does anyone know how close to a bolt on project this would be. 1990 E350.

 

[tgreening]

For singles we're still using the Bilstein 5100's, dual shock disco 70's rigs (our throwback upgrade) is running the Fox 2.0 res. sometimes we mix it up 80's style with just a single 2.0 res at each corner.

No non-res Fox? I thought that was going to be an option as well. Probably doesnt really make much difference in my application, I just thought you were switching over to Fox all around.

 

[ujoint]

We're about to swap the non res too, not a problem getting them.

 

[mk216v]

Did someone say throwback, disco and van?

All it needs is a UJOR 6" lift with dual Fox's up front and singles in rear; the only way to go!

PS--Dual dampers up front can't be that throw-back, the new Mercedes G500 4x4^2 runs portal axles and dual dampers up front; http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/138841-Mercedes-Benz-G500-4×4²