The FRF Shock Shootout! All pre event details and discussion here

[BigJ]

I've updated the first post with the most recent changes and highlighted them in yellow. I'll follow up on the comments and suggestions in a little while. Thanks guys!

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

keep in mind, im not a shock dyno shop, but a shop that does work on many different vehicles. im sure i have just about everything needed if for any reason you need to do any work here

 

[Maxx2893]

Outlaw is in Santa Ana. They sell all 3 brands as well.

 

[BigJ]

I've received a handful of PMs with concerns, questions asking what I'm trying to do here, and what I hope to accomplish. I've tried to address that question in the first post, added in green.

(No I won't keep adding new colors making it look like a clown threw up all over the thread. Every couple of days I'll set everything back to white and start over.)

 

[bstoner59]

I think it would be nice to add an overview of each driver. Number of days a week they drive their truck. Number of miles a year. Location of residence. Typical off-road terrain they use their truck in.

As Big J has stated this isn't to say what set is the best. It's for us to gather opinions and hopefully someone's driving/lifestyle resembles a potential buyers driving/lifestyle and let's them make a more informed decision. 5 g's is a lot to throw down on something you have never seen or used before. Motocross mags do it every year to give guys an idea of what bikes work best for them.

 

[vanilla_gorilla]

Man, I could be in depending on location and if my truck has the rear frame reinforcement kit by then. But if it's in Cali, I'll be there just to be a go-for, helping hand, or whatever i can do.

I know you want to keep the vendors at arms length away, but would a "shock" truck set up work better? So each vendor brings out there shocks on their Raptor and we (FRF memebers/Raptor owners) can either do a ride along with a driver that the shock manufacturer brings or drive the truck with a shock manufacturer driver?

This way we have less down time with changing out of the shocks and driving to and from a shop? This would also give several FRF memebers / Raptor owners to drive/ride in shock company X, then get out and get right into shock company Y, and have a real side by side comparison? Even if there was a fee for people who wanted to drive/ride, i think this might be a little easier to do.

And to level the playing field, set up guidlines for the shock trucks, e.g: UCAs, steering rods, leaf springs, bumpstops, etc. But give them all the same setup requirements and make sure they meet it, and then lets have them duel it out in their trucks.

Just an idea.

 

[BlueSVT]

You should consider also having the drivers drive to/from the dirt, or at least a portion of it... So they can also rate the on-road comfort and performance.

 

[BigJ]

I also think that shocks used for testing need to be either new, or freshly re-built by the manufacture...So if any "borrow" shocks are used... I think the testing fund needs to also be willing to shell out refurbishment for the loaner shocks, from the factory. Also, think of it as a bonus for the person that loans them out... they get them back with a fresh rebuild (just testing miles after that).

Great point, and I agree. Each set will be refurbed if not already new.

I think the install process will take up a ton of time with driving to and from. Maybe we should consider a pit tyke situation where the installs are done onsite?

I'm open to the idea for sure.

...would you consider testing all the shocks in the various perch mounts too? I wonder if brand X performs better than brand Y depending on ride hieght

Hmm interesting thought. Lets keep this in mind. I think timing wise what we can feasibly do might start depending on how many sets we actually end up with.

I agree that would work well... and it would help if the truck has been "prepped" for the installation and the shocks are ready to drop in. I know with the Icon 3.0's you have to clearance a small amount of metal from the front buckets, and the rear upper support. To prevent rusting, this should also be quickly spray painted and allowed to dry as well. This could be done in the desert, just need the right equipment and would add extra time to the swapping process (figure an extra hour if properly equipped).

I believe the install process for my Icon's took about 2.5 hours with proper tooling, equipment, and previous shock swapping experience. Roughly 45 minutes per side up front, including clearancing the bucket on each side. Rears take 30 minutes or less per side, including the prep work.

Something to think about...

Good info Blue. Thanks. We'll figure 2.5hrs for each install when calculating a budget and schedule. And I agree regarding all preprep; the more the better.

BigJ, you might set up a paypal account so interested FRF members can donate.

Will do Greg. I don't want to start accepting money until we are *sure* this is happening. As you can see we have a TON of ground to cover here, and I'm not comfortable yet actually collecting money or parts. Not until I have a couple more details nailed down.

I think it would be nice to add an overview of each driver. Number of days a week they drive their truck. Number of miles a year. Location of residence. Typical off-road terrain they use their truck in.

Absolutly. I've started thinking on putting together a sort of "driver profile". Maybe we can work together on that offline from this thread.

I know you want to keep the vendors at arms length away, but would a "shock" truck set up work better? So each vendor brings out there shocks on their Raptor and we (FRF memebers/Raptor owners) can either do a ride along with a driver that the shock manufacturer brings or drive the truck with a shock manufacturer driver?

This way we have less down time with changing out of the shocks and driving to and from a shop? This would also give several FRF memebers / Raptor owners to drive/ride in shock company X, then get out and get right into shock company Y, and have a real side by side comparison? Even if there was a fee for people who wanted to drive/ride, i think this might be a little easier to do.

And to level the playing field, set up guidlines for the shock trucks, e.g: UCAs, steering rods, leaf springs, bumpstops, etc. But give them all the same setup requirements and make sure they meet it, and then lets have them duel it out in their trucks.

Just an idea.

Its a good idea, although its a very different approach than what we're talking about here. It almost makes sense to do both; we do our test as outlined (if its even possible to pull off) and 'over there' are the guys with their rep trucks giving rides, facing off, answering questions...

You should consider also having the drivers drive to/from the dirt, or at least a portion of it... So they can also rate the on-road comfort and performance.

For sure. Pavement will be part of the course, no doubt about it.

 

[vanilla_gorilla]

Its a good idea, although its a very different approach than what we're talking about here. It almost makes sense to do both; we do our test as outlined (if its even possible to pull off) and 'over there' are the guys with their rep trucks giving rides, facing off, answering questions...

The by product could be training/learning how to drive off-road too, for the newbs like me, again, not trying to de-rail your event or test, just giving ideas.

But let me know how I can help, I'm on the fence about being a driver w/truck to use in the newb category. Depends on location and date and if my truck meets the requirements.

 

[BigJ]

Oh yeah don't get me wrong gorilla. I like your idea! But I think we agree its totally different approach than what the first post outlines. I'm aok shelving this idea in favor of yours... my main goal with all this right now is to outline what I (we) think is required to pull off a test of the type many of us have been kicking around for a while. If we're gonna do it with one truck and one (per skill level) impartial driver, this is how I think it needs to be done.