New shocks (again)

[alrock]

Okay, so I'm on my fifth set of shocks on the front of the H3. Original OEM, Bilstein 5100s, used OEM (base), Bilstein 5100s, and OEM Adventure with Firm Ride.

I was intrigued on rockauto.com that they had not just OEM base and Adventure shocks, but Adventure with Firm Ride. With the BA bumper and a winch, I figured having a firmer shock would be good for the front. I haven't put a lot of miles on them yet, and they've all been on the road, but there is a difference. I wouldn't call it good yet. My one experience that set them apart from other shocks was taking a quick left turn through a bumpy intersection - the truck basically slid a bit sideways across the washboard bumps. Less firm shocks, both OEM and Bilsteins, would have absorbed those washboards a bit better with less loss of grip. Straight on bump absorption has been fine.

Either way, the ride is improved over the last Bilsteins. I came out to my truck a week after Moab and found a puddle of oil under the driver side shock. It dumped all of the oil. When we removed the shock, it would only compress about halfway before coming to a hard stop. The passenger one was softer than the Staypuft Marshmallow Man. The shocks were 3 years old with about 40,000 miles on them.

I had gone back to OEMs as I had the first set of Bilsteins also fail within about the same amount of miles, also pouring oil out of them.

 

[Zach]

Gotta also put into play how hard of a life the shocks have had. Those roads to church on Sundays can ruin a shock. On my fourth set, not crying, been hard miles on them and haven't been to church in awhile [emoji15]

 

[4speedfunk]

A set of Foxes is less that five sets of "other". Treat yourself!

 

[08H3]

I was going to go Fox on your advice but found what was (supposedly) a response from Fox on a forum that said the fronts were not designed to accommodate a torsion lift. Fact or fiction? Who knows. Maybe someone has actually run them up front and can validate one way or the other.

 

[4speedfunk]

I don't select shocks from "application"....especially Foxes. Not sure they even list a shock for an H3. Instead...

I measure.
I find the appropriate length.
I find the appropriate mounting style (eyes, bar-pins, or studs).
Then I get em valved to work on the H3.

This is normal in the "custom shock" world. Its impossible to make one "HUMMER SHOCK" to meet all the different requirements, and its probably why off-the-shelf (application-specific) shocks leave some guys less than impressed. Most of us are running different ride-heights, tire sizes, different bumpers & winches, and we all want different dampening for our specific uses. Thats why custom valving is the norm with companies like Fox, King, Sway-Away, etc. Yeah, its a pain...but so is blowing thru five sets of shocks and still not being happy with the performance or lifespan.

 

[Romeo]

A set of Foxes is less that five sets of "other". Treat yourself!

I don't select shocks from "application"....especially Foxes. Not sure they even list a shock for an H3. Instead...

I measure.
I find the appropriate length.
I find the appropriate mounting style (eyes, bar-pins, or studs).
Then I get em valved to work on the H3.

This is normal in the "custom shock" world. Its impossible to make one "HUMMER SHOCK" to meet all the different requirements, and its probably why off-the-shelf (application-specific) shocks leave some guys less than impressed. Most of us are running different ride-heights, tire sizes, different bumpers & winches, and we all want different dampening for our specific uses. Thats why custom valving is the norm with companies like Fox, King, Sway-Away, etc. Yeah, its a pain...but so is blowing thru five sets of shocks and still not being happy with the performance or lifespan.

What shocks would work with the Rancho 4" lift (im finally pulling the trigger and orfering the Rancho kit)? Im looking for a shock with the additional resovior. Im not savvy in this field and not sure how to measure to order a custom set of shocks.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk

 

[H3nightrod]

I find myself in the same boat. Have about 115k on Rear OEM and about 60K on the front Bilstein. Was planning to change all 4. Looked into PROComp, Bilstein 5160s, 5100s, and few more. I have a 5k mile road trip coming in August and its on my list of mods before then.

Are the Front and Rear shocks the same size?
If I disconnect the rear sway bar on the trail should I be looking into longer shocks than OEM? What size would you guys recomend for
rear shocks?

Thanks for any feedback its definetly welcome.

 

[rsc]

Front and rear shocks have totally different mounting styles, up front is a threaded stud and in back is a flat bracket. The rear flexes alright as is, the front could use some help though. I wouldn't get longer shocks, but thats just me.

 

[ABNTROOP]

Why not just go back to OEM adventure shocks with the Hunner nut trick? Problem solved.

 

[Romeo]

Would the Bilstein 9100 bump stop work with the Rancho lift? And if so what size? They come in 2" 3" & 4"

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk

 

[taylorblake831]

I put the skyjacker N8000s on mine and they seem pretty solid so far


-TEXAS FOREVER-

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I like my skyjacker, I especially like the price IIRC, it was $120 for all 4. I'm using lifted chevy truck shocks, so they have more than enough travel and do not limit the travel.

 

[Chook]

I have popped 2 sets of Fox Piggy Backs on the front & given up on them (the rears are fine). If you go the Fox on front get the remote reservoir version. I still have the Fox on the rear but I have Old Man Emu on the front.