So recently I installed a set of F31 Deaver leafs on my truck which replaced a 4 leaf + overload pack. The previous leafs were real stiff and meant for towing but I decided I wanted a smoother ride on the street, hence the Deavers. I removed the 2" block and mounted the deavers directly to the axle. My issue is the deavers aren't all that much softer. They did make some improvement that its not quite as rough on the pot holes, but its not quite as good as I was hoping. I was hoping you guys could give your thoughts, especially those who have run deavers before.

I think part of the ride quality may be the fact that I am running James Duff Traction Bars and a sway bar in the rear as well, but i'm not sure if that would really cause the stiff ride as much.

BTW I have new Rough Country shocks on all four corners of the truck and any ideas on how to smooth out the ride would be appreciated.

 

Well the crappy shocks and rear sway bar are definitely not helping.
The shocks are more than likely not dampening enough with aftermarket springs and the sway bar. The sway bar will add lots of bounce to potholes on it's own without being dampened by proper shocks. Pull off one of the sway bar end links and see if it smooths out a little, but my suggestion would be to get some good shocks to match the spring rates of the deavers.

 

I would say it is a combination of the shocks and sway bar. I have Skyjacker leaf springs and Fox shocks and the ride is excellent.

 

Any suggestions on shocks that would be a good match?

 

Mine ride great. I have rancho rs9000x shocks out back. I also have a toolbox full of tools and a fullsize spare in the bed though.

 

Bilstein or Fox are my recommendations. Fox would be my first choice though.

 

I know someone recently got those Fox Emulsion shocks that seemed pretty nice, probably would suit my needs, external reservoirs seem like over kill.

 

Alright guys I could use some more help changing my setup please. I'm looking at pickin up the Fox Emulsion 2.0's to use with the Deavers. Questions are will they be an appropriate match? B/c they aren't exactly cheap and I don't want to be putting more money into the setup than that. Also should I run them in the front of the truck as well for best performance? I'm afraid if I put them on the back of the truck and not the front the truck will bounce and resonate different from front to back and not really help smooth out the ride.

 

Your best bet is to get the fox shocks because they are re-valveable so even if they show up with the valving you thought was good and its not you cna rebuild them. They are really worth the money and you can make them work with that rear sway bar to smoothen out your ride. But the main reason the ride is harsh with the deavers for you is because the shocks you have back there have a lot of compression valving but no rebound valving allowing the deavers to go straight back to where they where without the shock trying to stop them. So go a little light on the compression side but beef up the rebound when you order the fox shocks. Emulsions will be just fine for you also because the only real advantage to having resivors is the extra cooling capability because of the extra fluid storage for the shocks. Phew now im gonna take a breather lol.

 

what you have is along the lines of what i want to do somewhat soon. i need a smoother ride in the rear.

 

I second this, and the Fox 2.0 emulsion's will work fine. Just make sure you get the correct shock for the application, i.e. extended and collapsed length, valving, etc.

 

Okay guys sounds like the Emulsion are the way to go, I will need a little help with the valving though, this is the first time I have dealt with this. I plan to order the shocks from Off Road Warehouse. I have been checking the length of other shocks on line and it seems the fox shock with "Ext length:28.10" & Col length: 17.10' should be about right or the back of the truck although I haven't physically measured yet. I posted a link below to the one i'm considering so please let me know what you think. With that shock how do I choose the valving? When I order it or do I need to work with them once they arrive?

Off Road Warehouse - Shocks Fox Shocks 2.0 Fox Non Coil-Over Emulsion Shocks Fox Racing Shox 2.0 Pro Series 11&quot Travel Emulsion Shock- .625 Shaft Fox #980-99-038-A

 

Do the shocks that are on there now have the correct extended and collapsed lengths? If so, then I would get the Fox shocks that are the closest match to those specs. If not, then you need to do some measuring. How much total lift do you have in the rear?

As for the valving, it has to be done when the shock is built. I would get in contact with Nick at ORW. Tell him what you're after and he can relay the information to Fox so that your shocks are valved correctly for both the application and preferences. He can also verify what shock you need, so you really don't have to worry about that either.

 

if mounting fox shocks out back, i would not use factory mounting locations, i would make new tabs off the axle and throw a tube across the top of the frame and mount the shocks at a better angle

 

The shocks I have on there now are not the perfect fit. They are a tad long, but the shocks I was getting measurements of online were shorter than my current ones. The only lift I have in the rear is the deavers, no block and stock shackles, so according to deaver that's 2.5 inches, but the front of my truck has about 6" of suspension lift, but its also a 2wd.

I will have to send a message of to ORW about the valving then, and how is Nick? As for the shock angle, isn't ideal perpendicular to the ground? I suppose I could look into mounting them different, I have everything I need to fab it, just would have to determine how I want to.

Eric, do you have any pics of a setup like you described?

 

I've thought about doing something like Urandaman said because my shocks aren't a perfect match for the 6" skyjackers and rcd shackle. Like a bedcage but only smaller and try to keep it under the bed w/ that extra space the bl gives you.

This shows you how to find the best spot to mount your shocks.
http://www.desertrides.com/reference/bedcage.php

 

When I had the ranger and the sport trac on 3" body lifts, I always felt like the springs (especially on the sport trac with shackles) had a lot more travel in them than the shocks allowed. I wanted to raise the rear shock mounts up 3" like Matt is talking about and run shocks with a collapsed length 3" longer and keep the same shock angle to keep the valving simple. Just a simple way to get an extra 3" or so of down travel without having to get something with custom valving.

 

I do like the idea of running a tube on top of the frame, that doesn't sound to bad. I think then I would run the shock on the outside of the frame and mount it to the james duff trac bar mount, would make it pretty easy. I don't really want to make a bedcage because its still a daily and I want my bed space.

 

not a great picture (linked truck) but has tubes in general area


the small tube right behind the bump cans. if that was about 1 1/2" or 1 3/4" .120 tube, and in the correct location so the shocks will cycle correct.

you could weld it inside the frame channel or on top using plates on the outsides of the frame, the inside and then cap off the 2 side plates by welding some strap over the tube connecting the top parts of the brackets to each other and to the frame. **if doing it this way, i would set the tube up about 1/4" above the frame.

i hope that makes sense... it makes sense in my head ha

 

here is a way better and damn near exact

 

Ah okay, that last pic you posted helps. That's kinda what I had in mind, i'm just not sure how that is beneficial over the stock mounts? It just doesn't look that different to me, looks like the shocks are on a very similar angle.

 

I'm sure it is a better set-up, but I don't see that big of a difference either. Unless you are an avid offroader, I don't think a custom set-up is needed.

 

ive ripped a factory mount off the frame

but with both shocks going in the same direction, you will get better cycling and dampening from the shocks instead of them fighting each other

 

That makes sense. I doubt for my application I will risk break a mount, but I suppose it could happen. That's easy enough to fix. I might consider turning one of the shocks around then so they don't fight. Thank for all the great info guys, keep it coming, learning alot.

I did send a PM to Nick from ORW to ask him about the valving. He hasn't been on in a couple of days but hopefully I hear from him when he comes back on RF.

 

Well I spoke with Nick from ORW earlier today about some shocks. He is going to set up a set of 4 shocks for me that will fit into the stock locations and be valved for my application. Hopefully tomorrow I will be putting in an order with him and this will smooth out my ride to what I am looking for. Its not going to be very cheap so i'm really hoping all the reading and advice is spot on. From what I have read on here and dezertrangers these shocks can make a real big difference on a daily driver. I guess I will be the guinea pig :-)