Trying new rear shocks

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Dec 09, 2010 12:08 pm

Another first coming out of Mudd's Garage
I'll let the cat out of the bag since they are on my KJ now.
Only about 25 miles so far will do a more up to date long term report later after a few miles
I would say that with out extra weight in the rear these maybe to rough for most
Been trying to find a rear shock that I like
OMEs / Bilsteins are too soft for me, I like a firmer ride and the ability to handle loads in the cargo area and also towing my trailers.
So after some looking around found they still make the Load adjusting shocks with coil springs on them. We used to call them Load Levelers and such.
So with a minor amount of cutting the the bottom spring pad, had to trim about 1/4 inch, they work great at least for me. These again are made for the rear of a Dodge Dakota 4 WD pickup
Part number Monroe 58649 Sensa Trac Load Adjusting shocks
YES I know the underside of mine is dirty, all that crap from the PA turnpike last Sunday :banghead:

bought from http://www.justsuspensions.com for $87.00 for the two plus shipping

blackwidowkj06 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 09, 2010 12:53 pm

i'm just going to ignore the Ohio only sign to say this...

i like :mrgreen:

KJWildman · **Posted:** Thu Dec 09, 2010 8:51 pm

I know you said you only have 25 miles on them so far, but have you tried to flex them yet? How is it going to affect the full travel on your rear springs/ suspension? Just askin'

Somebodies gotta push the envelope, you GO Tom!!

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Dec 09, 2010 9:11 pm

Already thought of that and have done some testing, was out a few moments ago and tried a couple of places where I could flex some, nothing felt different really. I'll get some pics over the next few days.
Worse case, I keep the worn out Rancho's spend 10 minutes swapping them out when 4 wheeling. rest of the time will be able to load in what I want :BANANA:

Towstrap · **Posted:** Fri Dec 10, 2010 2:51 am

Thanks, Tom. These could help me with all the crap I carry in mine. I hit a bump on the trail and the rear dips pretty bad, at least that's what it feels like from the driver's seat. Now I just need to figure out what to do about the front. With the KJ Backbone and the winch it is pretty heavy up front, as well. I was considering either THE OME CRD springs or going to synthetic winch rope. Any recommendations? Thanks. Jim

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Dec 10, 2010 9:12 am

Jim
For the front I would go syn winch line first, much lighter plus better to work with I think.
Then go from there
I'm working an another replacement front shock for our needs
But in the end the OME CRD springs may be your last resort. They do work great
I think these shocks would take care of your needs with what you carry all of the time real well.
Minor mod to the lower spring perch but takes 2 minutes per side to do
( I can come down and teach a class on it ) :ROTFL:

Hard to beat the price, ride is good loaded and they look.........................killer fine! :wink:

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Fri Dec 10, 2010 11:14 am

Tom, did you actually cut away on the lower spring perch, or just bend it over a little with a sledge? Got pics of that mod? I like these. Great idea. I assume the added spring in bumped up the ride height in the rear a little too. How much increase did you get? I assume 1/4" or less.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Dec 10, 2010 11:45 am

I'll get a picture later today. Only actually cut it and bent it over, If you look at our lower spring perches they have a curve to them near the shock. There is one place where the spring ( shock spring) hits it, I made a couple slices with the angle grinder, BFH them down and all kinds of room. Look at picture number 3 you can see where the lower spring mount curves back in, at the back side of that is where it hit at. Not much as it was only half a bolt off from being able to bolt them in. Also have to cut the lower isolator some as well, maybe 1/4 inch but its still 1/2 inch or more from the spring so not a problem.
Unloaded I got almost 3/4 of an inch, so I think with my junk in there will be 1/4 to almost 1/2 more.
Ride unloaded is firm for sure, but loaded up pretty much now its right where I like it as far as ride and handleing

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Fri Dec 10, 2010 11:55 am

I was thinking that adding these to my Crusty rear springs would firm it up quite a bit and huge improvement. I am guessing it would be similar to OME 948's with regular rear shocks.

IceColeNH · **Posted:** Sun Dec 12, 2010 4:45 pm

Do you feel this is better then using airbags?

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Dec 12, 2010 6:35 pm

Depends on what and how you are going to use the.
These are not made to make up a weak/sagging suspension
If you're pulling a trailer part time then I would say bags would be better, that way you could tailor the ride better to the weight etc
I think these shocks will help those of us who carry quite a bit of extra weight all the time, to supplement good springs
I think these would be too much (little too firm) for most people with regular skids and not carrying a lot with them

TAHOE · **Posted:** Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:26 pm

I have bags on the back of my Tahoe, effecting the ride is basically nill. I put 60-80#'s in them depending the trailer I'm pulling then let them out when I'm done. If you just need extra load capacity, then bags work well.

Towstrap · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 12:54 am

The new shocks seemed to cure my problem in the rear of the Liberty. When ever I hit a bump on the trail before, the rear of the Liberty would "dive". I didn't notice this at all with the new shocks. Thanks, Tom! After Christmas I am going to see about some OME-CRD springs for the front. Jim/Towstrap

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 1:59 am

Glad you two are finding them to be suitable

They've def. been added to my list. Just way too much weight on the rear of mine for any non-custom rate coil

Maybe if I had 450ish rate rear coils lol

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 9:47 am

Towstrap wrote:

The new shocks seemed to cure my problem in the rear of the Liberty. When ever I hit a bump on the trail before, the rear of the Liberty would "dive". I didn't notice this at all with the new shocks. Thanks, Tom! After Christmas I am going to see about some OME-CRD springs for the front. Jim/Towstrap

Well at least I can add one thing to my list I did right in 2010 :ROTFL:

Hope they work out for ya Jim as they have me.

jarhead with the weight I'll be adding here shortly I hope they work yet but I think we still need heavier springs! :wink:

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 2:09 pm

totally agree with that

but is "I just don't feel like it.. " a valid excuse?

Marlon_JBT · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 3:16 pm

I wonder if these would solve my issue with the soft riding rear end...

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 4:00 pm

Is that a problem?

oh.. you mean your jeep.

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 4:07 pm

Marlon_JBT wrote:

I wonder if these would solve my issue with the soft riding rear end...

Thats more of a personal problem I think and well .... :oops:

They do stiffin up the ride for sure

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 4:08 pm

JeepinJarhead03 wrote:

totally agree with that

but is "I just don't feel like it.. " a valid excuse?

Yes it is a valid excuse,
I hace a couple of things right now that are under that heading :wink:

Trying new rear shocks

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