Emulsion shocks???

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

This is not really an xj specific question. So feel free to move it.


Clayton long arms and rustys 808 coils (180lb spring rate). My zj is a touch heavy in the front end. My bilstein 5125s can't keep up when I'm bombin along in the sand etc. I've been looking at the FOA 2.5 emulsion shocks. Would this be the right direction to keep the ride quality in the faster paces? Or am I looking at waisted money? Is there better options?

 

[cheapcherokee93]

from what i understand in your situation you would want reservoir shocks to prevent them from heating up and experiencing shock fade. whether or not a 2.5 emulsion will hold up better than a 2.0 resi is beyond me though. i think for a ZJ though 2.0 resis should be fine unless you are a jeepspeed

 

[GrimmJeeper]

ewwwww FOA...

 

[XJLI]

ewwwww FOA...

Fox Of Asia

 

[rockclimber]

get some 7100s. get them tuned.

 

[xcm]

Fox or bilstein... shiet radflo or swayaway over FOA!

foa's just arent cheap enough. It'd be worth the hastle if they were dirt cheap, but theyre not... Might as well get a name brand if your gonna spend that kinda coin... Look at resale value as well... foa's just dont hold their value like a fox or king.

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

Thanks fellas. I've researched the bitterness towards FOA and I think I'm leaning on the 7100s. Bilstein has been a proven brand

 

[crazyjim]

The 7100's are a great shock. Just make sure to get them with the right valving. They'll perform great, they just won't stay cool as long as a 2.5

 

[rockclimber]

The 7100's are a great shock. Just make sure to get them with the right valving. They'll perform great, they just won't stay cool as long as a 2.5

what is the correct valving?

 

[crazyjim]

It really all comes down to your weight and how you want it to perform. Something that rides nice on the street will be too mushy in the bumps. My XJ rode like a floor jack on the street and like a cadi through the whoops. Talk to the guys at Bilstein before you order and tell them what you want to do, what kind of bumper and what kind of springs you're running. They'll get you as close as possible with their off the shelf valving. The next step would be a custom tuning session.

 

[Vanimal]

It really all comes down to your weight and how you want it to perform. Something that rides nice on the street will be too mushy in the bumps. My XJ rode like a floor jack on the street and like a cadi through the whoops.

this. my coilovers are valved a little stiffer, and the faster you go, the better they work. not so hot on the street, but handle bigger hits like a champ.

 

[rockclimber]

It really all comes down to your weight and how you want it to perform. Something that rides nice on the street will be too mushy in the bumps. My XJ rode like a floor jack on the street and like a cadi through the whoops. Talk to the guys at Bilstein before you order and tell them what you want to do, what kind of bumper and what kind of springs you're running. They'll get you as close as possible with their off the shelf valving. The next step would be a custom tuning session.

I run 7100s up front with 255/70 and I can tell they need to be tuned.

 

[crazyjim]

Yea 255/70 was way too soft for my MJ on deavers with a tube bumper and glass... I can't imagine with any sort of weight up front.

 

[PahlMc]

The problem with emultion shocks is cavitation. The nitrogen and oil are in the same chamber. Bilstein has non-resi shocks with an IFP (Internal Floating Piston) but they are crazy long. The only other way to get N2 separated from the hydrolic oil is the reservour. The added benefit is they run cooler.

I've been desert racing for 7 years now, and in rough sections you can heat a 2.0 to the point it does almost nothing in 5 minutes on a heavy truck. However if you just run sandy washes and hit a jump every now and then, they may stay cool enough forever. You really have to decide what you want to do before you buy your shocks. Me...I'll be mounting 2.5" SAW with huge resi's shortly. I hate shock fade and I like pre-running.