37s - 6112 vs HOSS 3.0/Eibach HD springs

[Overkill6G]

Hello All,

I’m looking for some perspective. I’m ordering a Bronco soon and I’m zeroing in on what’s the best route.

Here are the specs I want and why:
- Badlands (premium features, lockers, sway bar disco, and all the LUX goodies)
- Sasquatch (only way to get 4.70 gear with a 2.7)
- painted hard top (because I like it and I’m hoping the issues have been worked out by now)

my Goal
- Daily Driver / Weekend Warrior / moderate trails and some crawling
- run 37s without compromising performance and not breaking the bank.
- planning for winch (liking the hammer built for the mod bumper) so weight could be a factor.
- planning for jks clearance kit, Icon UCAs, Rockjock rear links, Icon panhard bar and RJ bracket to correct geometry after lift.

so here it is:
Option A- I order my rig with the HOSS 3.0 with intent to add Eibach HD springs to get the extra lift needed? Hoping stiffer springs may help the nose dive on breaking.
Option B - I order with standard Bils and upgrade to 6112 after?

any insight is greatly appreciated!

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[ThunderFlash]

I vote for the HOSS 3.0. Most people (some of these people even have opinions I respect) like them a lot. We have them on our '24 four door WT. You can try them stock or with a perch lift or spacers or move to an alternate spring. If they don't work out and miles are low, someone will most certainly buy them from you.

Truth be told, though, I prefer(red) the general semi-squishy ride of the Eibach Pro Trucks w/ HD springs we have(had) on our '22 two door WT. But the Fox's on the four door do seem to soak up bigger hits much, much better than the Eibachs and are more pleasant than the HOSS 2.0 Bilsteins that were on the '22.

So, the '22 two door WT was born as a HOSS 2.0 truck. I had tried the Eibach Pro Truck 2.0 w/HD springs with all the weight I added. I loved the springs and the Eibach dampers, but they didn't hold up. I believe my heavy truck + heavy tires + 30 miles of washboard overheated them leading to all four leaking (Eibach did warranty them....big shout out there to Eibach and Panda for great support). I think I was just asking too much of the 2.0" shock body being undersized (less fluid) and steel (doesn't transfer heat as well as aluminum). As replacements, I just ordered Fox Performance 2.5 shocks to use with Eibach HOSS 2.0/3.0 replacement HD and lift springs. I believe Eibach offer two springs, a lift spring and then a lift spring in a higher spring rate for added weight.

I just ordered these bits and also Accutune UCAs, so no feed back yet. I'd say the Fox Performance 2.5 shock is the Fox answer to the Bilstein 6100/6112. The Bilsteins always seem a little heavy on the damping for my tastes, so I'm trying the Fox option. If the Fox don't hold up, I'll have to go to a much more expensive remote reservoir solution. Which maybe I should have done out of the gate....buy once, cry once. On my current path, I'll have weeped (Eibach purchase), then sobbed (Fox + Eibach Spring purchase), and then possibly have to move to the full on ball my eyes out with Accutune, King or Fox premium shocks.

 

[Overkill6G]

I vote for the HOSS 3.0. Most people (some of these people even have opinions I respect) like them a lot. We have them on our '24 four door WT. You can try them stock or with a perch lift or spacers or move to an alternate spring. If they don't work out and miles are low, someone will most certainly buy them from you.

Truth be told, though, I prefer(red) the general semi-squishy ride of the Eibach Pro Trucks w/ HD springs we have(had) on our '22 two door WT. But the Fox's on the four door do seem to soak up bigger hits much, much better than the Eibachs and are more pleasant than the HOSS 2.0 Bilsteins that were on the '22.

So, the '22 two door WT was born as a HOSS 2.0 truck. I had tried the Eibach Pro Truck 2.0 w/HD springs with all the weight I added. I loved the springs and the Eibach dampers, but they didn't hold up. I believe my heavy truck + heavy tires + 30 miles of washboard overheated them leading to all four leaking (Eibach did warranty them....big shout out there to Eibach and Panda for great support). I think I was just asking too much of the 2.0" shock body being undersized (less fluid) and steel (doesn't transfer heat as well as aluminum). As replacements, I just ordered Fox Performance 2.5 shocks to use with Eibach HOSS 2.0/3.0 replacement HD and lift springs. I believe Eibach offer two springs, a lift spring and then a lift spring in a higher spring rate for added weight.

I just ordered these bits and also Accutune UCAs, so no feed back yet. I'd say the Fox Performance 2.5 shock is the Fox answer to the Bilstein 6100/6112. The Bilsteins always seem a little heavy on the damping for my tastes, so I'm trying the Fox option. If the Fox don't hold up, I'll have to go to a much more expensive remote reservoir solution. Which maybe I should have done out of the gate....buy once, cry once. On my current path, I'll have weeped (Eibach purchase), then sobbed (Fox + Eibach Spring purchase), and then possibly have to move to the full on ball my eyes out with Accutune, King or Fox premium shocks.

Great info! and I agree with the 6112 comment. The Eibach Coilover are off the table for me. I have heard too many horror stories.

My history with off-road/overland experience has played a role in entering the HOSS 3.0 setup heavily. Just don’t know if there is a “budget” setup less than ICON that could compare.

Im mainly concerned about the travel out of the setup though as I would jump right into the lift springs (never really liked spacer/collar lifts). My thoughts are that the HD lift springs for the HOSS will help offset the extra armor/gear weight enough and keep me high enough to clear 37s at full stuff (planning on BFG KM3s because I have had amazing experiences with them in the past!)

Pics of my old rig!

 

[Gunther]

Hello All,

I’m looking for some perspective. I’m ordering a Bronco soon and I’m zeroing in on what’s the best route.

Here are the specs I want and why:
- Badlands (premium features, lockers, sway bar disco, and all the LUX goodies)
- Sasquatch (only way to get 4.70 gear with a 2.7)
- painted hard top (because I like it and I’m hoping the issues have been worked out by now)

my Goal
- Daily Driver / Weekend Warrior / moderate trails and some crawling
- run 37s without compromising performance and not breaking the bank.
- planning for winch (liking the hammer built for the mod bumper) so weight could be a factor.
- planning for jks clearance kit, Icon UCAs, Rockjock rear links, Icon panhard bar and RJ bracket to correct geometry after lift.

so here it is:
Option A- I order my rig with the HOSS 3.0 with intent to add Eibach HD springs to get the extra lift needed? Hoping stiffer springs may help the nose dive on breaking.
Option B - I order with standard Bils and upgrade to 6112 after?

any insight is greatly appreciated!

Go with Option B (Standard Bils + 6112 upgrade).
The HOSS 3.0 uses FOX internal bypass shocks which require expensive, specialized collars or spacers to lift. The Bilstein 6112 is a far better match for a daily driver. It is highly adjustable, supports the extra winch weight, and drastically reduces nose-dive

 

[Overkill6G]

Go with Option B (Standard Bils + 6112 upgrade).
The HOSS 3.0 uses FOX internal bypass shocks which require expensive, specialized collars or spacers to lift. The Bilstein 6112 is a far better match for a daily driver. It is highly adjustable, supports the extra winch weight, and drastically reduces nose-dive

Thanks for the feedback. Has it been confirmed which has more travel? Which has the longest extended length? 6112 or hoss/fox?

 

[TruckCamper]

Option C - Icon Suspension CDEV gives the most travel, setup for 37s with bump stop spacer added (no rubbing), no need for sway bars (actively adjusts valving).

Problem with Hoss 3.0 is they are not valved for the weight of most 37 wheel / tire combos. If attempting this route: light weight wheels and tires would be key (under 100lbs combined). It also has too much compression travel and tires will hit fenders (front especially) unless body lifting or limiting travel (but travel is already on the low side).

Stock CV axles are really best suited for 35s. 37s with being careful. We run narrow / light 37x11.5R17 and they have survived but there isn't much margin with any of the wider heavier tires. Don't believe me? Compare to a Raptor.

Realistically isn't not worth modifying a standard Bronco for 37s when you can buy a Raptor under warranty with 37s and all the related hardware to support it. You'll be into it the same money and have a much lesser rig in the end. We own both. I'd only buy a non-Raptor if desiring a 2dr with manual.

 

[Squatch]

Realistically isn't not worth modifying a standard Bronco for 37s when you can buy a Raptor under warranty with 37s and all the related hardware to support it. You'll be into it the same money and have a much lesser rig in the end. We own both. I'd only buy a non-Raptor if desiring a 2dr with manual.

signed, someone with Icon stage 4 and 37s on a 2dr manual.

 

[TruckCamper]

signed, someone with Icon stage 4 and 37s on a 2dr manual.

And someone who wasted money on Bilstein crap... We have over $30k into the 2dr in upgrades and it doesn't hold a candle to the Raptor except being a 2dr manual.

 

[Tooold]

Option C - Icon Suspension CDEV gives the most travel, setup for 37s with bump stop spacer added (no rubbing), no need for sway bars (actively adjusts valving).

Problem with Hoss 3.0 is they are not valved for the weight of most 37 wheel / tire combos. If attempting this route: light weight wheels and tires would be key (under 100lbs combined). It also has too much compression travel and tires will hit fenders (front especially) unless body lifting or limiting travel (but travel is already on the low side).

Stock CV axles are really best suited for 35s. 37s with being careful. We run narrow / light 37x11.5R17 and they have survived but there isn't much margin with any of the wider heavier tires. Don't believe me? Compare to a Raptor.

Realistically isn't not worth modifying a standard Bronco for 37s when you can buy a Raptor under warranty with 37s and all the related hardware to support it. You'll be into it the same money and have a much lesser rig in the end. We own both. I'd only buy a non-Raptor if desiring a 2dr with manual.

signed, someone with Icon stage 4 and 37s on a 2dr manual.

What tires are you gentlemen running?

 

[TruckCamper]

What tires are you gentlemen running?

Nitto Recon grappler 37x11.5r17

I really like the Ko3 35x11.5r17. This might be the most versatile tire for weight, size, mpg and capapabilty. There are very few if any obstacles that a good driver on 35s can overcome compared to an average driver on 37s.

Raptor will likely get the ko3 37s or 39s this fall.

 

[Squatch]

What tires are you gentlemen running?

Baja Boss AT’s 37x12.50 r17

They're practically a mud terrain tire under other manufacturers' definition, but I like 'em. They're slightly noisier than the KO2s my Badlands came with, but I didn't buy a Bronco to drive an anechoic chamber on wheels getting butterflies and rainbows to the gallon.

 

[87-Z28]

For your use case, daily driver with 37s and moderate off-road, there are really only minimal gains in travel from coilovers. Attached is a list of extended lengths. For CV health the max allowable extended length is 24.3” anyway.

I wouldn’t over think travel numbers. I would be more concerned about; 1) unsprung weight and coilover ability to apply sufficient damping and 2) proper spring constants to allow desired ride height to be near shock mid-stroke.

 

[ThunderFlash]

+1 on the used Braptor approach if you're already looking at four doors and those flares don't bother you.

 

[ThunderFlash]

They're slightly noisier than the KO2s my Badlands came with

Really? I did 35s and find them quieter than the stock GY MTs. They are heavy, though, and I put them on the boat anchor OEM SAS wheels. I could have save quite a few unsprung pounds with a new lighter wheel and 37" BFG KO3s.

 

[Overkill6G]

Option C - Icon Suspension CDEV gives the most travel, setup for 37s with bump stop spacer added (no rubbing), no need for sway bars (actively adjusts valving).

Problem with Hoss 3.0 is they are not valved for the weight of most 37 wheel / tire combos. If attempting this route: light weight wheels and tires would be key (under 100lbs combined). It also has too much compression travel and tires will hit fenders (front especially) unless body lifting or limiting travel (but travel is already on the low side).

Stock CV axles are really best suited for 35s. 37s with being careful. We run narrow / light 37x11.5R17 and they have survived but there isn't much margin with any of the wider heavier tires. Don't believe me? Compare to a Raptor.

Realistically isn't not worth modifying a standard Bronco for 37s when you can buy a Raptor under warranty with 37s and all the related hardware to support it. You'll be into it the same money and have a much lesser rig in the end. We own both. I'd only buy a non-Raptor if desiring a 2dr with manual.

After countless searching on this forum for data … it’s like you read my mind.

I have been asking over and over in my head on how to justify the hoss 3.0 upgrade at the time of order, when I should have been focused on the bigger picture, both options are bandaids…

truth is, I will out grow both being my history. I have always been more of a crawler myself cutting my teeth at Rausch Creek Off-road park in PA. Now being in SC, I don’t see desert running as an option, although I may be able to convince the wife to take some trips to Colorado and Moab

I couldn’t agree more about driver mod and 35s vs 37s. My thoughts on 37s is more tire to fill the void on sketchy obstacles. Yes, they will create more strain, but for the 4-6 times a year I can actually get out on the trails, I’m not worried. I know what comes with them. It wouldn’t be my first time changing a tie rod or a CV out on the trail while laying in the mud… always carry spares!

looks like Icon may be the best overall option in the end though. Though I can’t justify stage 7 or 8. Stage 3 is my speed and I prefer RockJock links being you can grease the Johnny Joints.

appreciate the feedback!

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