Shock me !
- Rox Crusher
- Official CCB Member

- Posts: 3980
- Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2010 4:36 pm
Shock me !
I'm wanting to put on some better shocks before going on Baja Adventure next spring.
I've seen a lot of people upgrading but haven't seen feedback about the results.
I currently have the standard shocks that came with the WH suspension kit. I have 4.5" variable rate up front and 3.5" leafs out back. No current plans to go to long arms.
So, tell me what you spent your hard earned money in what the results were.
Or, just give me a great recommendation for my set up.
Many thanks !
I've seen a lot of people upgrading but haven't seen feedback about the results.
I currently have the standard shocks that came with the WH suspension kit. I have 4.5" variable rate up front and 3.5" leafs out back. No current plans to go to long arms.
So, tell me what you spent your hard earned money in what the results were.
Or, just give me a great recommendation for my set up.
Many thanks !
1977 Sport, 351w OBDII EFI motor, 4R70W auto, 4:88 gears, ARB lockers, 3.5" suspension, 33" tires.
- ManTruck
- Official CCB Member

- Posts: 200
- Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 7:47 am
Re: Shock me !
Rox, I currently am all WH on my suspension, including the shocks. I am migrating to the bilstein 5100 12" shocks for the rear, and hoops and remote reservoirs in the front soon after.
Doing the Shock Jock from WH for the rear upper and using Ruff stuff mounts on the axle. I am going to change the shock profile on the rear to a total vertical mount and get some more travel and use the whole shock hopefully.
Also taking the 3.5 WH springs off and installing the 4.5 WH springs on the rear.
My WH set up currently rides and functions great, but I guess its the desire to make it function a bit better hopefully.
Doing the Shock Jock from WH for the rear upper and using Ruff stuff mounts on the axle. I am going to change the shock profile on the rear to a total vertical mount and get some more travel and use the whole shock hopefully.
Also taking the 3.5 WH springs off and installing the 4.5 WH springs on the rear.
My WH set up currently rides and functions great, but I guess its the desire to make it function a bit better hopefully.
Owned my 1972 since 1985
Canon City, Co
Canon City, Co
- ZOSO
- Moderator

- Posts: 3910
- Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2010 4:58 pm
Re: Shock me !
I am currently running a mix. Still have the old rs9000's on the rear. Dial set to 3 with the rear inboard shock mount. They perform great and have no issues. Up front I went with bilstein 7100 14" short body's. I got with Digger and we talked valving for my needs. He gave me a starting point and for my needs it's almost spot on. the ride is great. I should have gone 12in on the front as if I jump it or any really hard impact I may bottom out the shock. (that means bottoming out and compressing the bump stops). I may rework the bump stops and change them out.
One thing I'd really suggest is a shock hoop and long arms no matter what. The ride quality and stability with long arms is worth it alone. you can build lars bars for $250.
One thing I'd really suggest is a shock hoop and long arms no matter what. The ride quality and stability with long arms is worth it alone. you can build lars bars for $250.
Rob
74 Ranger EFI351w, 4r70w, ARB 5.13 9in, ARB 5.13D44, and a bunch of other goodies. Best of all the family memories.
04 Mustang Cobra, KenneBell 2.2 feeding a lot of boost on E85. Tire shredding machine
New project: 77 Bronco Ranger, body work and more body work.
Very little left of a 72 durango tan explorer sport
74 Ranger EFI351w, 4r70w, ARB 5.13 9in, ARB 5.13D44, and a bunch of other goodies. Best of all the family memories.
04 Mustang Cobra, KenneBell 2.2 feeding a lot of boost on E85. Tire shredding machine
New project: 77 Bronco Ranger, body work and more body work.
Very little left of a 72 durango tan explorer sport
- ZOSO
- Moderator

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- Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2010 4:58 pm
Re: Shock me !
Oh and after I got my valving for the fronts I placed the order with raceshock. I called and asked for what I wanted. It took a month or so but it's exactly what I ordered. They are a 345/135 digressive piston.
Rob
74 Ranger EFI351w, 4r70w, ARB 5.13 9in, ARB 5.13D44, and a bunch of other goodies. Best of all the family memories.
04 Mustang Cobra, KenneBell 2.2 feeding a lot of boost on E85. Tire shredding machine
New project: 77 Bronco Ranger, body work and more body work.
Very little left of a 72 durango tan explorer sport
74 Ranger EFI351w, 4r70w, ARB 5.13 9in, ARB 5.13D44, and a bunch of other goodies. Best of all the family memories.
04 Mustang Cobra, KenneBell 2.2 feeding a lot of boost on E85. Tire shredding machine
New project: 77 Bronco Ranger, body work and more body work.
Very little left of a 72 durango tan explorer sport
-
cravenbronco
- Official CCB Member

- Posts: 916
- Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2014 4:40 pm
Re: Shock me !
ZOSO wrote:Oh and after I got my valving for the fronts I placed the order with raceshock. I called and asked for what I wanted. It took a month or so but it's exactly what I ordered. They are a 345/135 digressive piston.
What did that cost ? If you don't mind me asking
- ZOSO
- Moderator

- Posts: 3910
- Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2010 4:58 pm
Re: Shock me !
cravenbronco wrote:ZOSO wrote:Oh and after I got my valving for the fronts I placed the order with raceshock. I called and asked for what I wanted. It took a month or so but it's exactly what I ordered. They are a 345/135 digressive piston.
What did that cost ? If you don't mind me asking
I got a deal as they were used shocks. It was 340 shipped valved the way I wanted. Normally they are 200 each plus shipping.
Rob
74 Ranger EFI351w, 4r70w, ARB 5.13 9in, ARB 5.13D44, and a bunch of other goodies. Best of all the family memories.
04 Mustang Cobra, KenneBell 2.2 feeding a lot of boost on E85. Tire shredding machine
New project: 77 Bronco Ranger, body work and more body work.
Very little left of a 72 durango tan explorer sport
74 Ranger EFI351w, 4r70w, ARB 5.13 9in, ARB 5.13D44, and a bunch of other goodies. Best of all the family memories.
04 Mustang Cobra, KenneBell 2.2 feeding a lot of boost on E85. Tire shredding machine
New project: 77 Bronco Ranger, body work and more body work.
Very little left of a 72 durango tan explorer sport
- Justin
- Official CCB Member

- Posts: 6199
- Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2010 11:04 pm
Re: Shock me !
I'll second the suggestion for the Bilstein 7100s since they're available in a short body. If you've got the room, I'm really happy with my Fox stuff and was able to cram in 12" on hoops and keep my inner fenders. I can help rebuild and revalve them if anyone wants to get used ones. I can also recharge any rebuildable shock with nitrogen, as I invested in the stuff to do it myself since I anticipated needing to tear them apart multiple times for tuning.
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valentino
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Re: Shock me !
I like the long arms and shock hoops from bloodyknucklegarage.com
http://www.bloodyknucklegarage.com/imag ... 0mount.jpg
http://www.bloodyknucklegarage.com/imag ... 0mount.jpg
- landshark
- Official CCB Member

- Posts: 3942
- Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 11:16 pm
Re: Shock me !
I also suggest bilstien 7100's and I might look at f250 towers instead of hoops or even custom towers that can act as a heat shield. I get allot of heat soak on my shocks up front and have had to build plates to block some of that heat. Granted my manifolds are literally on top of my frame since the engine is stupid big.
1976 Bronco "Green, Yellow, whatever", 1969 Bronco "Red", 1972 Bronco Stocker "Kind of Blue/Grayish"
- Digger
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Re: Shock me !
Rox Crusher wrote:I'm wanting to put on some better shocks before going on Baja Adventure next spring.
I've seen a lot of people upgrading but haven't seen feedback about the results.
I currently have the standard shocks that came with the WH suspension kit. I have 4.5" variable rate up front and 3.5" leafs out back. No current plans to go to long arms.
So, tell me what you spent your hard earned money in what the results were.
Or, just give me a great recommendation for my set up.
Many thanks !
I'm in the 7100 camp as well. Digressive valving is possible, which broadens the effective velocity range of the shocks. I have 14" short body reservoir shocks up front and it is tight, even with a 2" body lift. You could get away with 12" shocks in the front and be fine. I'm using F250 mounts bolted to custom brackets to push them up and out from the frame.
Normally I won't say remote reservoirs are required, but if you have heat fade issues, it may be a good idea. I would also recommend charging the shocks to their max pressure to prevent foaming when hot.
Cummins R2.8 diesel, ZF5, AtlasII, HP44/BB9, ARBs, coiled / linked suspension, 37" KO2s, full cage, bumpers, etc.
Build Thread: http://www.coloradoclassicbroncos.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5420
Average 23.5 mpg, Best tank: 26.3 mpg
Build Thread: http://www.coloradoclassicbroncos.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5420
Average 23.5 mpg, Best tank: 26.3 mpg
- Rox Crusher
- Official CCB Member

- Posts: 3980
- Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2010 4:36 pm
Re: Shock me !
Thanks for all the input guys.
Probably going to go with the 7100
Probably going to go with the 7100
1977 Sport, 351w OBDII EFI motor, 4R70W auto, 4:88 gears, ARB lockers, 3.5" suspension, 33" tires.
- landshark
- Official CCB Member

- Posts: 3942
- Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 11:16 pm
Re: Shock me !
Good move. Both Justin an I have nitrogen charging so if you need to revalve we can charge you back up! I have a bunch of valve stacks for 7100's as well.
1976 Bronco "Green, Yellow, whatever", 1969 Bronco "Red", 1972 Bronco Stocker "Kind of Blue/Grayish"
- Gunnibronco
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Re: Shock me !
What is the story with recharging these shocks. I have a set of 7100s that were only run a little more than 1 year, and now have sat for 3 waiting for my truck to run again. Would they need recharged? Do they leak down, or just need recharged when opened up for new valving?
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." ΓÇô Claire Wolfe
74-AWB 98", ZF5, Atlas4, HP609s, ARBs, 37's, 3.5" lift-5.5" front coil springs, Tahoe rear springs, EFI 302, h-boost, 4x4x2 hyrdo assist, custom dash & gauges
72 U15- Explorer Sport-Candyapple Red (1 of 141)
74-AWB 98", ZF5, Atlas4, HP609s, ARBs, 37's, 3.5" lift-5.5" front coil springs, Tahoe rear springs, EFI 302, h-boost, 4x4x2 hyrdo assist, custom dash & gauges
72 U15- Explorer Sport-Candyapple Red (1 of 141)
- Justin
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Re: Shock me !
They don't usually leak down. If you're concerned, you can get an aircraft pressure Chuck on eBay for about $25. They're lossless, so it won't seriously impact the charge pressure.
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