well, you may have read in another post that i went and bought these fancy fox shocks. well, i did the installation over the past couple of days.

i did not just remove the old rancho shocks, and bolt these on, however.
i cut off the stock shock tower, and customized a ford shock tower to suit my needs. i really wanted tio get the shocks out of the way of the rocks, and eliminate as many things as possible to get hung up on down there.

you will see in a couple of these pics, the custom u bolt set up i made as well. the u bolt plates hang down below the spring only 1/4". this is a hell of a lot better than the 1-1/8" it used to hand down.

well, back to the shock installation.

in the picture below you will see on the right, the stock ford shock mount. it is made of 3/16" thick steel. beefy stuff!
the one on the left is what i had to shape it in to.
i flared out the sides, and notched it to fit over the frame to attain maximum clearance from the tire in all positions.

http://pierviews.com/photogallery/SHOCK%20MOD/tn_IMG_4503.JPG http://pierviews.com/photogallery/SHOCK%20MOD/tn_IMG_4499.JPG

in this picture, you will see how high up on the axle tube the bottom of the shock it. it is completely out of harms way.

http://pierviews.com/photogallery/SHOCK%20MOD/tn_IMG_4487.JPG

here are a couple more pics of the finished mount, and flexing it out ;)
http://pierviews.com/photogallery/SHOCK%20MOD/tn_IMG_4490.JPG
http://pierviews.com/photogallery/SHOCK%20MOD/tn_IMG_4509.JPG http://pierviews.com/photogallery/SHOCK%20MOD/tn_IMG_4511.JPG

oh, man... looks great!!! I know it took some serious work but I bet it'll be worth it. I can't wait to get mine and fab up some stuff!!! nice job! :8 :yay:

Erik,

Could you check the pics, I get the red x's :mad:

I am in the process of doing the exact same thing and I'd like to see how you squeezed everything in down there.

Chris L.

http://nailer341.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/SHOCK%20MOD/SHOCK%20MOD.htm
here you go, aston. i had to move them i was having some server extention problems. hopefully the originals will be back up soon. :wave:

http://nailer341.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/SHOCK%20MOD/SHOCK%20MOD.htm
here you go, aston. i had to move them i was having some server extention problems. hopefully the originals will be back up soon. :wave:


Thanks Erik :wave:

Any issues with the caliper hitting the lower mount at full lock?

I see you cut the towers a fair bit, what did it buy you?

Just slapping the towers on the frame sets the shock at positive camber i.e. top angled outward when viewed from the front. I was thinking of cutting the towers so that the shock was close to vertical on level ground. This will require some bashing of the inner fender. Any thoughts?

Anything you would do differently?

Your flex rocks :yay: btw.

Chris L.

Any issues with the caliper hitting the lower mount at full lock?

No, i have adjusted my steering stops to prevent this. i have had this problem in the past with the ranchos, and corrected it with those. a major contributer o the dented shock bodies with my ranchos was the lack of bump stops i had.
i have since added bump stops to limit up travel, which still touches the inside of the fender, but keeps it managable. also dialing in the steering stops seems to have eliminated the tented shock bodies ;)

I see you cut the towers a fair bit, what did it buy you?

as far as cutting the towers... they are ford towers, which i raised from the stock position about 4 or so inches. i cut them to open the width. this would ensure that i didnt smash the shock bodies on the upper mounts while the shock cycles from full stuff to full droop in any twisted up position.
it seems to have enough clearance all the way around with the extra attention i gave them.


Just slapping the towers on the frame sets the shock at positive camber i.e. top angled outward when viewed from the front. I was thinking of cutting the towers so that the shock was close to vertical on level ground. This will require some bashing of the inner fender. Any thoughts?

http://nailer341.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/SHOCK%20MOD/tn_IMG_4503.JPG

in the above pic you can see the modification i did to the towers to get them set up so the shocks would have enough clearance from the frame, set in a vertical position at rest, as well as have a full range of motion.
it was not too easy to flare the sides of those mounts. they are 3/16" steel, and dont have much give.

the way i have those cut will get them as high as possible, and still have to bash the fenders in about 3/4" or so, and the body still lightly touches the towers. i'll fix this with a few more beatings with a bfh. ;)


http://nailer341.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/SHOCK%20MOD/tn_IMG_4487.JPG

in this picture you can see how high on the tube the shock bottoms are. they are completely out of the way of the rocks. this was the purpose of the whole mod.

Anything you would do differently?

funny you would ask :D
as far as the heights, and customizing the towers... no.
the one thing i would do differently, [which i still have to correct] is to be sure the shock mounts on the tube absolutely have the shock in a vertical position at rest. on the first one [drivers side] i guess i did it with one eye open. it is about 1/2" inset, and has the shock a bit out of plumb.
the shock still has a full range of motion, and wont hit the frame in any position, but small things like that will drive me crazy. it is kind of like the "o-ring" problem that brian has :yay:
otherwise, i wouldnt change anything.

i have nothing but good to say about the fox shocks. these things perform much better than the dollars spent. you are hearing that from one cheap sonofabitch too.

if you are planning to use the fox shocks on your install, there are a few other tidbits you should be aware of. let me know if this is your plan ;) :wave:

i have nothing but good to say about the fox shocks. these things perform much better than the dollars spent. you are hearing that from one cheap sonofabitch too.


The Fox shocks are about a hundred and a half aren't they?

I was thinking of Rancho :yawn: or maybe the new Rubicon Express units.

What makes Fox so 'kin great ;)


Aston Out

there are a few things that make them great.
first, they are completely tunable for the weight of your rig, and your driving style on the type of terrain you enjoy.
when i say tunable, i mean you can change compression and rebound seperately. it isnt as easy to do as the rancho 9000 shocks, but the versatility of the tuning is 10 fold.

in the whoops, i would have to slow down to 10 mph with the ranchos, which i have blown 3 sets of. with tese i couldnt believe the difference in the whoops. they just sucked up the slamming of the jeep. even from getting air, they just absorbed it all and liked it. i was hitting the whoops at speed just to test these babies out, an dthey laughed at the torture, and didnt allow the jeep to bottom out.
hitting the whoops is how i inverted the shackle though. that should give you an idea what i was doing ;)

now you go from the whoops to the rocks, and get the same level of performance. with the tunability of the shocks, they can be set up to really push your tire onto the rocks, rather than just sitting on them ;)

another key point is that they are completely rebuildable. if you do damage any part of the shock, you can get that part, and rebuild it ;)
in theory, these could be the last pair of shocks you ever have to buy.

thanks for your interest in this mod. i am happy to answer any questions i can about it for you.

how much are the rancho 9000 shocks? about 100 each?
at that price, you are well on your way. :wave: and you will have a far superior shock on your rig.

in all honesty, i was truly amazed at the performance difference in these shocks.
i never realized the importance the shocks played in this game.

just to clarify on the tuning, it in not the same as the ranchos with the knob. you have to take the shock apart, and replace the discs inside. i dont want to mislead you on that part.
after a lot of research, i found the numbers recommended for my jeep, and think i will keep them that way.
if there was some aspect of the performance i didnt like, i could easily change either the compression or rebound or both by replacing the "shim packs" to get the desired result. ;)

in all honesty, i was truly amazed at the performance difference in these shocks.
i never realized the importance the shocks played in this game.

not only that, they look cool.:D :8 :thumbs_up :yay:

.... these things perform much better than the dollars spent. you are hearing that from one cheap sonofabitch too.

You actually spent money on a modification to your jeep? And your happy with it?!?!?!?! :eek:

They must work good.......

You actually spent money on a modification to your jeep? And your happy with it?!?!?!?! :eek:

They must work good.......
it is truuuue! lol
:wave:

OK...so I mocked up a lower mount, c clamped the tower in position and installed the shock.

Yikes - ugly...leaning out like Brian after 2 pints of shandy :yay:

So I started bashing the inner fender well. I found that if I heated the sheet metal an MFH worked very nicely. I thought I was going to need oxy but a butane torch was sufficient.

After a few laps, the shock is a knats-cock off plumb.

Better than good-enough but not quite perfect.

Next I'm gonna trim the tower so it sits on the frame nice and square.

Erik, flaring out the tower is no easy task - was it worth it?

If so, I'm gonna need 27 butane torches :no:

Chris L.

http://pierviews.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/SHOCK%20MOD/tn_IMG_4497.JPG

in this picture you can see how i did mine. i cut a slit up the edge, and bent it out with an adjustable wrench, and a vice. then i welded it shut. this way was pretty easy. i tried heating, and cussing. cutting, and welding was easier, and quicker.

i would do it again. :wave:

One side is done and ready for welding. I measured six times and cut once, the result is pretty damn good - for a Limey. :sarah:


The other side will have to wait 'till tomorrow

Aston Out

:wave:

Lets just say, hypothetically speakin', that I did decide to go with the Fox Shox ;) which unit did you get?

The 980-99-027-A 12.0 EMULSION ext 31.10" comp 19.10" sounds about right to me.

post some pics!
i showed you mine, now you show me yours :yay: :eek:

:wave:

Lets just say, hypothetically speakin', that I did decide to go with the Fox Shox ;) which unit did you get?

The 980-99-027-A 12.0 EMULSION ext 31.10" comp 19.10" sounds about right to me.
that is exactly right for the front ;)
for the rear, i used 11" which you likely wont fit. i have cleared the way for some pretty long shocks in the back. you'll have to measure your own for the back.
oh, and mine are valved 50-80 front and 60-80 rear. i think i will adjust the rear to 50-80 as well.

that is exactly right for the front ;)
for the rear, i used 11" which you likely wont fit. i have cleared the way for some pretty long shocks in the back. you'll have to measure your own for the back.
oh, and mine are valved 50-80 front and 60-80 rear. i think i will adjust the rear to 50-80 as well.

My (new best) buddy is on the way to pick them up right now!! :yay:

congratulations!
in that case, before you mount the other side bracket...
you'll have to lower the mounting hole a bit. it would be best if you have the shocks on hand to "dry fit" the shocks to the mount before welding it to the frame.
the holes need to come down and outward about 1/4"-3/8" so the body has clearance for its full range of motion.

you'll love the shocks.
how much were they? 140ish~

Yup $140 and they had better be worth it ;)

OTOH Brian thinks they look cool :yay: so that's worth a lot :poop:

I haven't welded anything yet, just cutting and grinding.

All I need now are the shock tabs from Blue Torch Fab.

I'll try and get some pics.

Yup $140 and they had better be worth it ;)

OTOH Brian thinks they look cool :yay: so that's worth a lot :poop:

I haven't welded anything yet, just cutting and grinding.

All I need now are the shock tabs from Blue Torch Fab.

I'll try and get some pics.
they are shiny ;) and have the cool blue anodized ends on em :D

Yup $140 and they had better be worth it ;)

OTOH Brian thinks they look cool :yay: so that's worth a lot :poop:

I haven't welded anything yet, just cutting and grinding.

All I need now are the shock tabs from Blue Torch Fab.

I'll try and get some pics.


crud. you're gonna have yours done before I get mine started.:(

crud. you're gonna have yours done before I get mine started.:(
you need to get on the ball there, mr. vengeful bastard :wave: :D

So EriK...I hit the snag, the top of the shock fouls on the tower.

This mod is rapidly getting to be a PITA :no:

1/4" out and 1/4" down. Did you stretch the hole or plate and re-drill? I would assume the latter.

For the upper mount did you use a bolt or a clevis pin of some kind?

The shocks are 40/60 as built. How did you go about changing the valving, with the N2 and all?

Chris L.

i ordered mine with the different valving. for the upper hole being "fouled". i filled, and re-drilled so it had full range of motion.
it is indeed a pita. a lot of work, but you'll like the payoff ;)
i used a bolt. :wave:

So EriK...I hit the snag, the top of the shock fouls on the tower.


would this be fixed if the tower were angled out just a bit? just wondering. :confused:

would this be fixed if the tower were angled out just a bit? just wondering. :confused:

Maybe. The real prob is that the mounting boss on the top of the shock is very short. It's so short that I don't think it would fit in many applications without rework.

Angling the tower out would push the shock out of plumb 'cos there's no room to move the lower mount.

I borrowed a digicam so I'll get some pics going, as soon as I have some coffee.

http://nailer341.com/photogallery/jeep%20modification%20pages/SHOCK%20MOD/tn_IMG_4504.JPG

when i did mine, i welded it shut and
clearanced the outside where it curves so a nut and bolt will fit :wave:

OK fabwads here's how I did it :sarah:

Here's the prob, the shock is about half a hole off :poop:

http://image28.webshots.com/29/2/64/72/247026472WuKTqL_ph.jpg

So first I cut through the web to create a nice flat surface :no:

http://image30.webshots.com/30/2/68/34/247026834mkpvvP_ph.jpg

Don't worry it gets better. Then I cut a tab, or two, to fit in the slot :yay:

http://image34.webshots.com/35/2/65/76/247026576ZbpItC_ph.jpg

:yay: Ta daaaa :yay:

http://image30.webshots.com/30/2/67/7/247026707rPQwUt_ph.jpg

As a final touch I drilled a pilot hole in one tab so I can easily drill through when everything is welded together.

OK...where's Mike-The-Welder ;)

Here's some more of the action at the frame end.

http://image30.webshots.com/30/2/63/80/247026380LpgpLY_ph.jpg

spooning

http://image28.webshots.com/28/2/62/75/247026275ruHAuM_ph.jpg

So waddya' say EriK :wave:

Not bad for a limey eh? :beer:

Aston Out

HEY

What's up with that :mad:

The preview was *great*.

Don't webshots play ball with the link??

OK fabwads here's how I did it

Here's the prob, the shock is about half a hole off

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/snag.jpg


So first I cut through the web to create a nice flat surface

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/tabcut.jpg

Don't worry it gets better. Then I cut a tab, or two, to fit in the slot

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/tabcut2.jpg

Ta daaaa

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/tabcut3.jpg

As a final touch I drilled a pilot hole in one tab so I can easily drill through when everything is welded together.

OK...where's Mike-The-Welder

Off to Mike's shop I went....

He welded the tabs in place. Drilled through my pilot hole on the mill and spot faced for the nut and bolt.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/weldtop.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/weldtop2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/weldtop3.jpg

Does Mike do nice work, or what!

Thanks Man :beer:

Here's more pics after I cleaned up the welds to maximize clearance for the shock top.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/foxtop.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/foxtop2.jpg

The project snowballed way beyond what I had anticipated, but I am very please with the results so far. Just a few more things to do.

Here's the passenger side ready to go...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/ps.jpg

...and the drivers

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/ds.jpg

Hey get a freakin' room, okaay!?!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/room.jpg

for the rear, i used 11" which you likely wont fit. i have cleared the way for some pretty long shocks in the back.

The front is done. :yay:

So Erik :wave: what did you do at the rear? Did you use towers or hoops?

I am thinking of cutting the tub to make room, then fitting the shocks straight up and down. Angling them forward only reduces their effectiveness :poop: who needs that?!?

Chris L.

that is what i did too.. i cut the tub, and ran them through. i'll see if i can fin find some pictures.

http://pierviews.com/photogallery/miscelanious%20pictures/DSC04573.JPG

Bloody hell, you stuck them right through the floor!

I was thinking of mounting a hoop to the frame rail then cutting the side of the tub (6x12") and a bit of the floor (6x3") and squeezing a shock in there.

Chris L.

lol!
i did get a bit carried away when i put these in there, but the location works well.
i built some boxes around them, and can still fit the modified rear seat in there. i can also still fit a 35" tire lieing flat on the floor.
i have been happpy with them.
:wave:

Hmmm....I'll have to get the measuring stick out.

Measure twice, cut once, grind the crap out of it.

The good thing is the Jeep can stay active while the mod is in progress :yay:

Hmmm....I'll have to get the measuring stick out.

Measure twice, cut once, grind the crap out of it.

The good thing is the Jeep can stay active while the mod is in progress :yay:

That was my 101th post! :cake: :cocktail: :island: :tp:

That was my 101th post! :cake: :cocktail: :island: :tp:

would that be hundred and firth?

Tam :)

would that be hundred and firth?

Tam :)

No...hundred and oneth ;)

I have been working on the rear Fox install for a while and I finally have pics :no:

OK here's the first, this is a hoop from all-pro off-road, cut and trimmed to fit on top of the frame. This will allow a 32" Fox to fit woo hoo. You can also see the cut out in the tub.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/hoop.jpg

Here's the view from the inside. I cut the side and bottom of the tub. Before you ask :yay: the Ranchos are just for an alignment check.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/tubcut.jpg

Then I made a shok box to cover up the big hole, neat eh?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/shokbox.jpg

Finally, lower tabs from blue torch fabworks (good stuff btw). Before you ask :wave: the welds are not complete yet.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/reartab.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/RSA6301_02.jpg

oops how did that get in there ;)

Aston Out

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/RSA6301_02.jpg

looks nice!
you have been busy :wave:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/RSA6301_02.jpg

looks nice!
you have been busy :wave:
the funny thing her butt looks a lot my GF's not sure why i had to say but just liked to share!

hey aston that box to cover the panel di you make that? also do you have a rear seat if so, did you fab some brackets up?

Bloody hell, you stuck them right through the floor!

I was thinking of mounting a hoop to the frame rail then cutting the side of the tub (6x12") and a bit of the floor (6x3") and squeezing a shock in there.

Chris L.
i still love this comment.
:wave:

the funny thing her butt looks a lot my GF's not sure why i had to say but just liked to share!

hey aston that box to cover the panel di you make that? also do you have a rear seat if so, did you fab some brackets up?
i am still able to use my seat with the way i got mine in there.
the seat had to be redone a bit, but it works, and looks nice.

hey aston that box to cover the panel di you make that? also do you have a rear seat if so, did you fab some brackets up?

Yeah, I made it...but first I made a sheet metal brake out of steel angle ;)

The rear seat is long gone. :no:

OK Jeepwads, the pics are here :yay:

Flex it ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/flex1.jpg

Front install

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/foxfront.jpg

Rear install

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/aston27/foxrear.jpg

A big thanks to Mike who did all the tricky bits ;)

I have an issue with Fox. I'm not saying they're bad, they obviously work for you, but in my experiences I've seen Fox used mostly on sand rails, bikes, and poser pre-runners. The shocks that Fox makes just seem more like a sand shock for light vehicles, since I believe that is their specialty. I also think Fox is a little overpriced.

Aside from my problems with Fox, I was looking at a set for my Jeep the other day :P I am still not convinced the Bilstein 7100 shocks (w/ resevoirs) wouldn't be better than the Fox shocks. Finding the right shock is so tricky :(

Nice builds though. I like that hoop in the back (I'm stealing it).

I have an issue with Fox. I'm not saying they're bad, they obviously work for you, but in my experiences I've seen Fox used mostly on sand rails, bikes, and poser pre-runners. The shocks that Fox makes just seem more like a sand shock for light vehicles, since I believe that is their specialty. I also think Fox is a little overpriced.

Aside from my problems with Fox, I was looking at a set for my Jeep the other day :P I am still not convinced the Bilstein 7100 shocks (w/ resevoirs) wouldn't be better than the Fox shocks. Finding the right shock is so tricky :(

Nice builds though. I like that hoop in the back (I'm stealing it).

You almost make sense until you compare a rebuildable shock like the Fox to the nearly universal emulsions like the Rancho 9000.

Fox's specialty is building rebuildable re-valveable shocks. It's not their fault that rockcrawlers and most jeep owners are about 20 years behind the desert racers and sand buggys technology wise.

The 7100 is user rebuildable and revalvable :x