What did u do to your raptor today?

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BenBB

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So about 2000 miles ago I added some low budget limit straps to my front end.
View attachment 427951Since my drivers side gen1 spring on my Gen2 shocks snapped, I threw on the Gen2 springs. Really liked the added height, ride was pretty damn good, except over bigger or multiple bumps, especially more so at higher speeds. I feel like its because I'm likely closer to where top perch would be height wise, and when hitting these bumps I was really bouncing to the extent of my bottom articulation/full droop. Front end just did not feel very sturdy or predictable enough for my liking, type of on road driving.
View attachment 427953View attachment 427955 So long story short, after lots of measuring, and considering possible mounting locations, I landed on this setup. 12 inch straps, top of strap mounted to a hole at the top of the upper control arm mount(which I made a little bigger), and bottom of strap mounted between sway bar and sway bar link.
Install took a little thinking, since neither end is adjustable. Strap was just big enough to get between link and sway with bolt as loose as possible and able to mount up top. Then just tightening sway link the rest of the way each side.
I obviously had concerns how this might affect front suspension. Not just the feel, but obviously the sway bar itself, and the links.
I can say so far, best decision I've made, since putting the Gen2 shocks on in the first place. Since I've added these straps, my front end is so damn stable and secure. I can literally jump over stuff Im used to usually slowing down for. High speed bumps, or any bumps at all, are no longer a problem. How long my sway bar lasts, or even more so the links, only time will tell. But this added front end stability is well worth trashing a couple sway bar links. I can honestly say my front end now feels better than it ever has my entire ownership so far.
Ok I've been thinking about this, do you think the improvement is due to the strap acting as the opposite of a bump stop at full extension? I know it's not elastic like a kinetic tow rope but I envision it has at least a little bit of give to soften the blow, just curious if you think that's the case. I'm running no swaybar and at some point could look at maybe using the lower swaybar link mount point on the LCA for a limit strap (obviously with a longer strap, planning on Gen2's with KHC buckets and Gen1 Geiser springs)...
 

BenBB

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I was unaware the fox's had fill points on them?
Yes the factory shocks have this goofy rubber pellet to fill/discharge the nitrogen, you have to pierce with a needle (not cool). See DIY rebuild your shocks thread...
Www.shockseals.com. I think. They sell a conversion kit to replace the Fox valves. You have to drill out & tap the old threads to accommodate the larger Schrader valve threads. Tell Kris hello.
Or get them from Kartek with the right threads:
Screenshot 2023-10-18 140619.jpg

 

CleverGirl_

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Yes the factory shocks have this goofy rubber pellet to fill/discharge the nitrogen, you have to pierce with a needle (not cool). See DIY rebuild your shocks thread...

Or get them from Kartek with the right threads:
View attachment 428143

May have just saved me some dough. Mine are pristine on the outside so id like to just see if they are low on gas
 

Jhollowell

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May have just saved me some dough. Mine are pristine on the outside so id like to just see if they are low on gas
If you go with those RPG ones you may want to get a second O-ring the same size as the one that comes with it. I ran into issues with those valves not sealing very well. It seemed like they were too short and didn't squish the O-ring before the threads bottomed out. I'd also put a small amount of RTV around the top and maybe some loctite on the threads to help seal. The Forged Offroad valves were the best but unfortunately they're out of business. I buy the King ones from Filthy Motorsports and turn them on the lathe to get them the right length.
 
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