SHOP WERX
Member
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2024
- Messages
- 49
I'm looking for advice from people that have "been there, done that". Im debating whether to go with a single 3.0 coilover or 2.5 CO and 2.5 bypass.
The vehicle is a 1995 bronco.
Up front is a stock width cut-n-turn. 2.5 coilover, 2.5x4 bypass bump stomp. It cycles about 15". There is 3" between the bumpstop and the landing pad at ride height. The rear is 4 linked, 2.5 CO, 3.0 Bypass, cycles 19.5" with 10" of that being bump travel. It has a decently warmed up 351w in it currently (a 530hp SBF is going in very very soon), 33" tires, stock fenders, and looks like a shitbox. It has "walk softly, but carry a big stick" vibes.
Ok so the meat and potatoes of this post. The thing works really dang good for what it is. I had it at KOH a few weeks ago. The drive from hammer town out to the dunes. We could maintain 75-80mph through the biggest whoops that drive has to offer. But it completely cooked my shocks. I'm fairly certain I'm at the limitation of what a single 2.5 CO can handle. My only gripe i have with my current setup is how harsh it is at slower vehicle speeds, and over small chop/bumps.
So here are my options im considering
1) keep my current 2.5 CO, 2.5x4 bypass bump setup. Obviously the cheapest and easiest option. It works very well at speed but is rather harsh on small chop/bumps. I will always need to keep in mind that I cant push it hard for any considerable period of time. But its a prerunner play toy, not a race truck. Other downside is im relying heavily on the bumpstop for damping control. It works great! But am i overworking an emulsion bypass bumpstop. Or is that no concern at all?
2) I swap out the 2.5x12 CO for a 3.0x14. Obviously a sizable increase in fade and heat resistance. It should also increase total dampening control, while softening up the harshness from small chop (if valved correctly). Going to a 3.0x14 coilover requires some fab work, but not a full redesign. I also can make minor modifications to utilize a 14" stroke shock, which would yield more bump and droop travel. Not a huge amount of extra travel, but not insignificant either. I will still rely on the bypass bump to be more than a "oh shit" protector. But I will effectively have 3 zones of compression damping that I can tune. Last but not least. I have another project I can use the 2.5x12 coilovers for. So a $2300 purchase of 3.0 CO's and springs will save me from purchasing another set of 2.5 coilovers. $2300 is the price on a set of carbon shocks with eibach springs. But i am also really considering a set of shocks from Geoff @ solid shocks. 3.0 CO from solid w/ springs will probably be about $2850
3) Add an additional 2.5x14 bypass. This option is most likely the best for performance, fade resistance, and probably comfort when not driving spirited, and in small chop. It will require a full redesign of the front end. As in remove the current engine cage/shock hoop and start over. I would relocate the 2.5x12 coilover to mount behind the beam and the bypass to mount in front. Doing so will give me slightly more overall travel than I currently have. But less than my design idea for a single 3.0x14 CO. The difference might be insignificant...? This dual shock design would not constitute using my bypass bumps. I would probably opt to side line them for another project and purchase a pair of 2.0x2 bumps. Bringing the total cost to around $1820 (carbon). Best performing option, most likely, but the most time in fab work by a mile. I would also have a spare set of 2.5 bypass bumps for another project. But would still need to purchase 2.5 CO's for that project. I may also consider a 3.0 bypass.
Final thoughts.
This bronco has been evolving for 7 years and has been through many stages. After the new engine goes in, and the front suspension gets reworked. I want to permanently stop this snowball from rolling down the hill any further. That being said. My goal was not to build the ultimate sleeper bronco. And im not saying it is. But its damn close. In a few months I want to end this project knowing it is, all that it can be.
The vehicle is a 1995 bronco.
Up front is a stock width cut-n-turn. 2.5 coilover, 2.5x4 bypass bump stomp. It cycles about 15". There is 3" between the bumpstop and the landing pad at ride height. The rear is 4 linked, 2.5 CO, 3.0 Bypass, cycles 19.5" with 10" of that being bump travel. It has a decently warmed up 351w in it currently (a 530hp SBF is going in very very soon), 33" tires, stock fenders, and looks like a shitbox. It has "walk softly, but carry a big stick" vibes.
Ok so the meat and potatoes of this post. The thing works really dang good for what it is. I had it at KOH a few weeks ago. The drive from hammer town out to the dunes. We could maintain 75-80mph through the biggest whoops that drive has to offer. But it completely cooked my shocks. I'm fairly certain I'm at the limitation of what a single 2.5 CO can handle. My only gripe i have with my current setup is how harsh it is at slower vehicle speeds, and over small chop/bumps.
So here are my options im considering
1) keep my current 2.5 CO, 2.5x4 bypass bump setup. Obviously the cheapest and easiest option. It works very well at speed but is rather harsh on small chop/bumps. I will always need to keep in mind that I cant push it hard for any considerable period of time. But its a prerunner play toy, not a race truck. Other downside is im relying heavily on the bumpstop for damping control. It works great! But am i overworking an emulsion bypass bumpstop. Or is that no concern at all?
2) I swap out the 2.5x12 CO for a 3.0x14. Obviously a sizable increase in fade and heat resistance. It should also increase total dampening control, while softening up the harshness from small chop (if valved correctly). Going to a 3.0x14 coilover requires some fab work, but not a full redesign. I also can make minor modifications to utilize a 14" stroke shock, which would yield more bump and droop travel. Not a huge amount of extra travel, but not insignificant either. I will still rely on the bypass bump to be more than a "oh shit" protector. But I will effectively have 3 zones of compression damping that I can tune. Last but not least. I have another project I can use the 2.5x12 coilovers for. So a $2300 purchase of 3.0 CO's and springs will save me from purchasing another set of 2.5 coilovers. $2300 is the price on a set of carbon shocks with eibach springs. But i am also really considering a set of shocks from Geoff @ solid shocks. 3.0 CO from solid w/ springs will probably be about $2850
3) Add an additional 2.5x14 bypass. This option is most likely the best for performance, fade resistance, and probably comfort when not driving spirited, and in small chop. It will require a full redesign of the front end. As in remove the current engine cage/shock hoop and start over. I would relocate the 2.5x12 coilover to mount behind the beam and the bypass to mount in front. Doing so will give me slightly more overall travel than I currently have. But less than my design idea for a single 3.0x14 CO. The difference might be insignificant...? This dual shock design would not constitute using my bypass bumps. I would probably opt to side line them for another project and purchase a pair of 2.0x2 bumps. Bringing the total cost to around $1820 (carbon). Best performing option, most likely, but the most time in fab work by a mile. I would also have a spare set of 2.5 bypass bumps for another project. But would still need to purchase 2.5 CO's for that project. I may also consider a 3.0 bypass.
Final thoughts.
This bronco has been evolving for 7 years and has been through many stages. After the new engine goes in, and the front suspension gets reworked. I want to permanently stop this snowball from rolling down the hill any further. That being said. My goal was not to build the ultimate sleeper bronco. And im not saying it is. But its damn close. In a few months I want to end this project knowing it is, all that it can be.
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