The BEST Suspension is HERE: Bilstein 8112 DSA+ for Ford Bronco!

[userdude]

not trying to be difficult here. The 8112s have a mechanical spring. Linear, progressive, … regardless, the spring stiffness is dictated a priori and thus so is the natural frequency. Sure a progressive spring will increase stiffness as displacements increase. But you have significantly increased vehicle weight and thus lowered your natural frequencies. The 8112s configured with springs “tuned” for stock weight (ie, to dictate natural frequency) will have the behavior I described in previous post. Only way to improve this is with different springs, ie, drive natural frequencies back up to a more manageable place for the shocks. A subtle point few really understand. The progressive stiffness of the spring has nothing to do with this or my previous post.

this is why bilstein is looking to provide a heavier spring. Not just for static ride height but, more importantly, for dynamic response at heavier vehicle weights.

Honestly Andy, all the yelling and hair pulling has to stop.

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[87-Z28]

Honestly Andy, all the yelling and hair pulling has to stop.

Exactly. I used the word DICTATED deliberately. Them springs are right bastards. They freakin control everything. Sons of bitches. The shock damping just responds to the overt lockdown the springs bring down upon the common man.

 

[DrRoboto]

not trying to be difficult here. The 8112s have a mechanical spring. Linear, progressive, … regardless, the spring stiffness is dictated a priori and thus so is the natural frequency. Sure a progressive spring will increase stiffness as displacements increase. But you have significantly increased vehicle weight and thus lowered your natural frequencies. The 8112s configured with springs “tuned” for stock weight (ie, to dictate natural frequency) will have the behavior I described in previous post. Only way to improve this is with different springs, ie, drive natural frequencies back up to a more manageable place for the shocks. A subtle point few really understand. The progressive stiffness of the spring has nothing to do with this or my previous post.

this is why bilstein is looking to provide a heavier spring. Not just for static ride height but, more importantly, for dynamic response at heavier vehicle weights.

No worries, I appreciate the explanation/discussion. Understood that a heavier vehicle needs a stiffer spring to maintain the intended natural frequency. But with a progressive spring, this natural frequency is dependent on the amplitude, right? So harder hits and larger excursion will be stiffer and have higher natural frequency, and will also need greater damping (hence different damping zones).

I'd really like Bilstein to release a coilover kit designed expressly for the greater weight, which would include stiffer springs along with different valving to match the tune.

Actually - what I really want is to know what's going to best handle my extra 950lbs of rock rail, underbody protection, winch, and passenger, deal well with the high speed whoops, not bottoming out like the stock suspension, while also being a good commuter on the highway.

 

[AccuTune Offroad]

I'd really like Bilstein to release a coilover kit designed expressly for the greater weight, which would include stiffer springs along with different valving to match the tune.

Actually - what I really want is to know what's going to best handle the high speed whoops, not bottoming out like the stock suspension, while also being a good commuter on the highway.

Bilstein is capable of it, but they do not want to invest in the idea like we have.

That is why we fill in that niche and provide exactly what you are looking for.

 

[DrRoboto]

Bilstein is capable of it, but they do not want to invest in the idea like we have.

That is why we fill in that niche and provide exactly what you are looking for.

I hear you! I am working up to it, as I learn more and begin to understand the nuance. Trust me, I understand how frustrating it must be to know what you are talking about, but then have people new to the field be skeptical of what you say just because you are selling the thing you know well... The first stop for many new folks will be the youtube comparisons, including some of the blind tests, but of course those are 1) subjective and 2) only featuring the shocks that the supplier sells, which wouldn't include Ride Shocks. It would be _great_ to see easily-accessible side-by-side comparisons or some way of having metrics, like race finishes on otherwise stock vehicles.

For me, the hard part is that I will try to educate myself as much as possible and then buy very expensive shocks, and then if it isn't the right choice, dang. too late. I'll live with it for years.

 

[AccuTune Offroad]

I hear you! I am working up to it, as I learn more and begin to understand the nuance. Trust me, I understand how frustrating it must be to know what you are talking about, but then have people new to the field be skeptical of what you say just because you are selling the thing you know well... The first stop for many new folks will be the youtube comparisons, including some of the blind tests, but of course those are 1) subjective and 2) only featuring the shocks that the supplier sells, which wouldn't include Ride Shocks. It would be _great_ to see easily-accessible side-by-side comparisons or some way of having metrics, like race finishes on otherwise stock vehicles.

For me, the hard part is that I will try to educate myself as much as possible and then buy very expensive shocks, and then if it isn't the right choice, dang. too late. I'll live with it for years.

Those are great points!

At the time of this post: we have a 30 Day Money Back Vow. If you don't like the shocks you can send them back. We will have questions, but none that stop you from doing so!

The Side By Side comparisons are difficult since most newcomers are not aware of what to look out for as a positive or negative towards ride Quality. The best indicators are those users that have actually ridden in or owned different sets like @popo_patty and have written un-biased reviews.

Winning races is really cool, but 99% of Bronco owners do not want the ride quality of a shock that is stiff enough to win races.

We make it an easy choice by laying out the benefits, having the guarantees, and the customer service to back it up.

 

[BAUS67]

...............The teacher asked Buckweat to use the word DICTATE in a sentence.............

"Darla says my DICTATE good".


Sorry, just had too.

 

[murphtron]

I have the 8112s and just spent 5 days and over 500 miles bombing through eastern California/western NV desert and mountain trails, and quite a few stretches of class 5 trails on steep crawly shelf roads. Aside from the fact that shelf roads cause me to grip the steering wheel too hard (and pucker excessively) the 8112s are a champ. Very pleased. The extra 2” over my oem 33s is very noticeable and helpful when crawling.

But I also run close to stock weight. A few added skids to oem. No winch or heavy bumper. No passenger. Basic recovery gear, food, small fridge and backpacking tent. I gotta say the oem skids take a beating. When it comes time to replace I’ll stick with them. They work for me, probably not for everyone.

Despite how well the 8112s work, if I carried more weight, or even had a winch + bumper, I’d probably go with the Accutune Rides, even though I haven’t driven them. They are designed to handle more weight and be tuned.

BTW I got about 13mpg off-road over 500 miles. 4lo is closer to 10mpg, but I didn’t measure too carefully.

 

[psdtime]

Finally got a chance to play with the shocks. Second lowest setting on the high speed seems to be the ticket along with 30psi in the stocks 35s. I'm not even sure where the low speed is set, but I like it. I also have no idea where the JCOs are set, not sure I've even had a circumstance that they would have to be used.

 

[DrRoboto]

I have the 8112s and just spent 5 days and over 500 miles bombing through eastern California/western NV desert and mountain trails, and quite a few stretches of class 5 trails on steep crawly shelf roads. Aside from the fact that shelf roads cause me to grip the steering wheel too hard (and pucker excessively) the 8112s are a champ. Very pleased. The extra 2” over my oem 33s is very noticeable and helpful when crawling.

But I also run close to stock weight. A few added skids to oem. No winch or heavy bumper. No passenger. Basic recovery gear, food, small fridge and backpacking tent. I gotta say the oem skids take a beating. When it comes time to replace I’ll stick with them. They work for me, probably not for everyone.

Despite how well the 8112s work, if I carried more weight, or even had a winch + bumper, I’d probably go with the Accutune Rides, even though I haven’t driven them. They are designed to handle more weight and be tuned.

BTW I got about 13mpg off-road over 500 miles. 4lo is closer to 10mpg, but I didn’t measure too carefully.

One of the main selling points IMO for the Bilstein 8112s is the internal bump stop and JCO. But I am considering adding an external bump stop and strap. It takes welding to the frame and of course adds cost, but opens my options for tuned shocks and appropriate spring rate. I've borrowed out my suspension many times, and knocked the alignment out, so I definitely need this feature.

I've got 35's and no plans to put 37's on, so I also want every inch of available articulation. Do you see any real advantage of the 8112's aside from the internal bump stop?

 

[SierraBronco]

One of the main selling points IMO for the Bilstein 8112s is the internal bump stop and JCO. But I am considering adding an external bump stop and strap. It takes welding to the frame and of course adds cost, but opens my options for tuned shocks and appropriate spring rate. I've borrowed out my suspension many times, and knocked the alignment out, so I definitely need this feature.

Foutz makes a nice (expensive) kit that gives you a bump/strap combo, but you can definitely do it yourself with a little creativity. We’re using the smooth bit on the back of the LCA for the bump, and the tierod hole for the limit strap. Then a weld-repair nut on the shock tower for the top of the strap.

 

[murphtron]

I’m no suspension expert! I’d defer to @Snacktime. But my gut is if you feel the need to tune the suspension it’s probably best to go with Ride. I think I’ve only seen one thread where someone has attempted to tune or alter the 8112s. I’m very happy with what I get from the 8112s and have not felt the need to change anything. I’ve crawled class 5 trails on these and happy with the articulation. I also don’t plan to move to 37s.

 

[DrRoboto]

Foutz makes a nice (expensive) kit that gives you a bump/strap combo, but you can definitely do it yourself with a little creativity. We’re using the smooth bit on the back of the LCA for the bump, and the tierod hole for the limit strap. Then a weld-repair nut on the shock tower for the top of the strap.

Do you have any photos?

I am not an experienced fabricator, so having things bolt on is ideal; I'm open to doing a little welding, I have a friend who'd know what he's doing and would help, so the Foutz kit is an option.

 

[SierraBronco]

Do you have any photos?

I am not an experienced fabricator, so having things bolt on is ideal; I'm open to doing a little welding, I have a friend who'd know what he's doing and would help, so the Foutz kit is an option.

Searching…

We drew these up ourselves then sent the DXF to sendcutsend.

 

[DrRoboto]

Searching…

We drew these up ourselves then sent the DXF to sendcutsend.

Very nice!!! That looks solid. There isn't much space there, that looks like just about the only location it could fit.

But where did the sway bar go??

I like having that on-road, and the sway bar disconnect works great

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