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Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:35 am

Looking for economical shocks to use for the rear, I've found that an '00-'04 F250 has a shock with 12.7" of travel, 18.2" compressed length and 31" extended length... there are several other options in the 10-12" travel range, for the rear of similar trucks.

The question is, would the valving be way way too stiff for a rail buggy application? I'm not looking for the ideal shock, just a cheap one that will work. We're talking less than $50 each here. This is for a rail buggy w/ IRS and a 1600dp that might see half a dozen trips to OHV parks a year.

Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:13 am

you're going to get people that will say the ONLY shocks that work are $500 coilovers. The thing is, if you aren't doing high speed runs, and aren't picky, you can run those truck shocks.

a friend of mine has a 4 seater with 4x5 arms in the rear. he has some type of truck shocks on the rear, and Ford Escape rear shocks on the front. We were doing 80mph down a rough trail for miles on end, with 3 big adults in the car, without a problem. It wasn't perfect, but it worked well.

Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:43 am

Why buy something that may not work well when you can buy some of these....

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=724876

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=830465

for my money I'd buy these and rebuild them.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=791574

or these and rebuild them.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=773865

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=773851

Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:33 am

most foa shocks are 70 or more bucks cheaper than fox

there was an article about them on the off road magzine

Wed Oct 14, 2009 11:33 am

i have been an auto tech for just over 15 years and have been looking up shocks for the rear of my baja with 3x3 arms and shocks mounted to the cage and i needed a shock just under 23" and was looking into rears for my car and came up with late 90's astro van awd rears for a medium dampening and i robbed my 89 f350 quad cab dually rears for a bit more dampening. the uppers are without a bushing so i had to add them. and the astro shocks are 12mm upper and lower with bushings already so will bolt right on. and the travel out of them is 8.5 inches

Wed Oct 14, 2009 11:34 am

i have access to all the parts books so if anyone knows what length extended and travel and what size bushings you need on the ends i can find part numbers for you

Wed Oct 14, 2009 2:44 pm

Thanks for the info, I'll def. consider the astro shocks. I'm not set on a length because I still need to fab the mount on the trailing arm and roll cage, so it's still "adjustable" there.

If you look on Monroe's website you can find a PDF that lists the part number and specifications of every shock they make, which is how I came up with these. I work as a tech at a dalership so I can get stuff wholesale.

I have $200 left to finish the buggy which is enough, but I need to go cheap. I'm not impressed by used shocks... too much of a gamble imho. if I was, I would be more interested in getting some from pull-a-part for $8. Obviously the $140/$150 ones are out.

Wed Oct 14, 2009 3:35 pm

I would stay away from bilsteins... everyone I have owned started leaking.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Fox-Shocks-Off-Road...1443wt_811

Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:59 pm

I am running gas charged F150 shocks that were sold by Les Schwab. They were not cheap $400 for a set of four, but they were free to me. Son bought them new and 6mos down the road totalled truck. They work well on rear of sandrail, but are too stiff for the front of sandrail.

Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:39 am

used ford ranger shocks on the rear of a baja for years. worked fine. The car was stock with indexed torions and a cut and turn. The shocks weren't the downfall of the car. By any means.

Thu Oct 15, 2009 6:25 pm

I once used the rear shocks off of a 2001 s10 blazer, worked fine for me

Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:54 pm

I have rancho RS9000s front and rear of my rail. I like them cause you can get them in any fitment and length and they are 9 position adjustable for ride soft to stiff.

If you go to their site they have a fitmant guide with all the lengths and end fitments to choose from. they were $100 ea.
Gary.

Mon Nov 09, 2009 6:00 pm

Hey Gary,
Are you running dual Rancho shocks on the rear or only singles? I've been entertaining running these shocks on my dual purpose mild 59 baja bug. $1000 for shocks is completely out of my range right now.