coilovers

wontwork · Jan 8, 2008

Any help would be appreciated on the pros and cons of running each.

I would like to know what everyone thinks about the pros and cons of coilovers and air shocks.

Also heim joints and rebuildable ones.

BamaTJ · Jan 8, 2008

Both require a lot of setup time, I think coilovers require more because they add so many other factors in the mix (main spring, secondary spring, tender spring, dual rate stops, valving, etc.). With an air shock your ride height and valving is just controlled by oil and nitrogen, so less outside factors to deal with. You would need a good nitrogen kit capable of providing a minimum 200psi charge for either. They both allow infinite adjustability as things change down the road. Air shocks are half the price of coilovers and weigh in at 7-10lbs vs 22-25lbs for a full loaded coilover.

On Heims vs joints, go rebuildable every day of the week. May cost more up front, but will save money down the road.

wontwork · Jan 8, 2008

To give a little info what I am building so I can get better help on this.
502, turbo 400, 205, 2 1/2 tons front/rear steer, 4 seater, and full buggy frame.
Maybe this will help on what type of shocks to run.
Definately going with the rebuildable.
Thanks for all the help.

If anyone needs any metal bent or welded let me know and I will try to help.

kid rok · Jan 8, 2008

I think you'll have to run C,O on that pig.

blacksheep10 · Jan 9, 2008

wontwork said:
To give a little info what I am building so I can get better help on this.
502, turbo 400, 205, 2 1/2 tons front/rear steer, 4 seater, and full buggy frame.
Maybe this will help on what type of shocks to run.
Definately going with the rebuildable.
Thanks for all the help.

If anyone needs any metal bent or welded let me know and I will try to help.

you might get away with airs in the back but you will have C/O's in the front with that big block. The only way to get away with airs is to keep it light. less tubing, light parts, no 1/2" plate shock mounts and **** laughing like me :

laughing

P · Jan 9, 2008

You need C/O's without a doubt.

I dont think C/O's take more setup time... Air's may " seem " to be plug and play, but the reality is alot of plug and play airs dont work for **** compared to what they could do.

The front setup on Bens buggy proves that, it works extremely well with Airs and he spent a TON of time on getting them dialed in from what we have discussed.

wngrog · Jan 9, 2008

With a 4 seater and all of that unsprumg weight, I would buck up to 2.5" coilovers. You are going to need all the help you can get.

BamaTJ · Jan 9, 2008

Yeah 2.5" would be a good call. Setup time all depends on how much you want to dial it in. You can slap coilovers on and get the ride height set, but to truely dial them in for the best ride and to utilize all the travel they offer it takes time and trial and error. Swapping valving, swapping springs, etc. Same is true for Air Shocks, except it involves adding/removing nitrogen and oil. For a rig as heavy as that you will need CO's regardless.

wontwork · Jan 9, 2008

Was thinking I needed coilovers since the big block. Just wanted to ask because I am still kinda new to the whole rockcrawling. Don't want to go CO in the front and air in the back. I will just go CO all around. I have noticed that alot of people that run air shocks have alot of body roll
Thanks for the help. I am shure I will have more in the future.

P · Jan 9, 2008

its all a matter of application and setup. Your setup and application is gonna require C/O's . laughing

wngrog · Jan 9, 2008

wontwork said:
I am still kinda new to the whole rockcrawling.

Any way you would rethink your entire build? That rig you are thinking about building (unless you spend a MINT on light materials) will weigh in at over 6000#

I know this board and Alabama are full of large, heavy Rockwell shod rigs with big blocks and boggers, but that is not realy a good formula unless you really want to live up to your screen name.

Not to be a smart-ass, but you should give it a litle more thought before you start to build.

wontwork · Jan 9, 2008

wngrog said:
Any way you would rethink your entire build? That rig you are thinking about building (unless you spend a MINT on light materials) will weigh in at over 6000#

I know this board and Alabama are full of large, heavy Rockwell shod rigs with big blocks and boggers, but that is not realy a good formula unless you really want to live up to your screen name.

Not to be a smart-ass, but you should give it a litle more thought before you start to build.

No problem man.
Considering I already have everything listed except the CO's I would rather not.
I am definately going 4 seater though and motor and trans because I have a nice mint in it.
If you don't mind please give your suggestion on what you would do.

P · Jan 9, 2008

...smaller on tons with lots of aftermarket goodies rear steer and as little height and weight as possible

wontwork · Jan 9, 2008

P said:
...smaller on tons with lots of aftermarket goodies rear steer and as little height and weight as possible

Why not keep the weight and not spend alot of money on aftermarket goodies?
Why not just keep the rockwells and ride it like I stole it.
I am definately not going to be competing with this thing with it four steer and all.

Cole · Jan 9, 2008

wontwork said:
Why not keep the weight and not spend alot of money on aftermarket goodies?
Why not just keep the rockwells and ride it like I stole it.
I am definately not going to be competing with this thing with it four steer and all.

Whatever you do, make it as low as possible and add swaybars.
Oh yeah and beat the living **** out of it , becuase its fun.

wontwork · Jan 9, 2008

Cole said:
Whatever you do, make it as low as possible and add swaybars.
Oh yeah and beat the living **** out of it , becuase its fun.

Already have one covered, but the low as possible is in the plans.

P · Jan 9, 2008

wontwork said:
If you don't mind please give your suggestion on what you would do.

I just commented cuz you asked.... :flipoff1:

Everyone has thier idea of fun, do what you like bro !

BamaTJ · Jan 9, 2008

If you are asking I would make a small WB 4 seater like TC did for Kula on PBB. WB is Like 110-115, but it will sit four adults. Do a 16/14b, save weight and setup frustration by not using rockwells.

wontwork · Jan 9, 2008

I just commented cuz you asked.... :flipoff1:

Everyone has thier idea of fun, do what you like bro !
[/quote]

I know, no hard fealings here. I have this bad habbit of mashing the skinny pedal all the way down and not letting up until I make it or something breaks is the reason for the big axles.

BamaTJ said:
If you are asking I would make a small WB 4 seater like TC did for Kula on PBB. WB is Like 110-115, but it will sit four adults. Do a 16/14b, save weight and setup frustration by not using rockwells.

Hoping to get close as I can to that wheel base, but I know it will be a little longer due to my setup.

Thanks for the help. All suggestions - or + are appreciated.