What springs to run on Gen 1 with Gen 2 shock and bucket conversion?

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FishFreak

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i think you need to stick with the Gen 1 spring unless the gen 2 top hat is compatible with the new coil buckets. you may want to look at re-valving the shocks too as they are probably a bit soft for the gen 1 (heavier) truck especially with the stiffer gen 1 spring.
I talked to a shock tech at Rock & Road Performance Suspension about revalving for the stiffer gen 1 spring and he said it's not necessary, because the spring stiffness is offset by the heavier V8 engine, so the valving difference is moot. It's a balancing act.
 

Gumby

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I talked to a shock tech at Rock & Road Performance Suspension about revalving for the stiffer gen 1 spring and he said it's not necessary, because the spring stiffness is offset by the heavier V8 engine, so the valving difference is moot. It's a balancing act.
Not sure I agree with this ^^^^ but I guess it is plausible.
 

FishFreak

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Not sure I agree with this ^^^^ but I guess it is plausible.
I didn't agree with it either at the time, but hung up the phone and said, "Damn! He's right!" Made total sense. The spring rate increase is offset exactly by the weight increase, thereby negating the notion you need more rebound damping cuz the spring is stiffer and pushing back harder.
 
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FishFreak

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My next biggest question is if you do the bucket swap and use a Gen 1 spring. What is the best route for ride height?

Because the Gen 1 spring is shorter I'm pretty sure this would lower the front of the truck with the bucket swap.

To gain ride height you would have to use either:

- Aftermarket Gen 1 springs like Geisers or Eibach's
- Use the Gen 2 perch collars
- Or a RPG / SDI top hat with lift built-in
You definitely want to use a Gen 1 spring for the diameter, higher rate(then gen 2) and length. Use the gen 1 top hat assembly to match. You don't need to use Geiser or Eibach springs, the rate of the oem Gen 1 spring is fine. You may want new ones if yours are sacked out or badly rusted. The Eibach are actually 'lifting springs' and you don't need that. The gen 2 fox shock is longer, so your truck will sit about 1 1/4 inch higher. The gen 2 shock does not have any perch collars like the gen 1, so run it as-is, and never ever, ever run any kinda top hat spacers or lift kits, they'll cause all sorts of geometry problems and axle cv joint bind. I really do think we all should run the weld-in Evil Offroad front limiting strap kit, on any gen 1, because we're topping out on our shocks, some the springs hit the UCA, and/or cv bind. Unfortunately, they're out of business right? Kicking myself for not ordering that kit when I wanted it 2 years ago...
 
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