Best Shocks

[DAWG]

Hi all..apart from the hpi shocks anything decent out there for my 5b..thanks.

[deznuts84]

OK

Phatdad Shafts
Threshold Seals
Threshold Rezzies

Is the best shock combo for the baja to date

[baja fan]

what abouy rc4wd shocks and elcon make some good ones too.

[north50]

I run the phatdad shafts and threshold seals problem free, highly recommend.

[FastEddy]

In order to get the "Best" shocks, you will need to decide what "Best" is and go from there.

You will start with the stock HPI shock bodies and pistons.
From there you will need to choose a set of shafts / ends
DarkSoul
PhatDad
Stock HPI

From there you will need to choose a seal
Stock
Umbrella
DarkSoul Reds.

Then a Cap or Rezi setup.
Threshold Rezies
Team FastEddy Bleeder Caps
Stock caps.

Then you can choose Spring, Fluid, Spring perches, Ride height adjusters, and build them.

Unfortunately no one can answer what the "Best" Shock setup is due to the fact that everyone has different needs. If you stick with "NAME BRAND" Products listed, you will end up with a quality shock setup.

[brave]

Fast eddy... Now that is a what i call a answer

[MCRIPPPer]

iv heard the best is threshold rezzies and seals and shafts other than stock.(fatdad or darksoul) i run stock shocks and they work fine its just anoing whan they leak.

[SnappyRC]

I've tried the RC4WD shocks and piggys and GH's piggys. I like the stock setup better and didn't think they were worth the dough.
What I have found that works great for me is Threshold Rezzies, Threshold Umbrella Seals, and PhatDad Shafts, and the DDM HD springs. I love this setup.
I'll get the DS shafts to try if I ever have trouble with my PhatDads.

[DAWG]

Originally Posted by FastEddy

In order to get the "Best" shocks, you will need to decide what "Best" is and go from there.

You will start with the stock HPI shock bodies and pistons.
From there you will need to choose a set of shafts / ends
DarkSoul
PhatDad
Stock HPI

From there you will need to choose a seal
Stock
Umbrella
DarkSoul Reds.

Then a Cap or Rezi setup.
Threshold Rezies
Team FastEddy Bleeder Caps
Stock caps.

Then you can choose Spring, Fluid, Spring perches, Ride height adjusters, and build them.

Unfortunately no one can answer what the "Best" Shock setup is due to the fact that everyone has different needs. If you stick with "NAME BRAND" Products listed, you will end up with a quality shock setup.

Thanks i i know these are the best set ups and advice and will definitely lighten my wallet..UK prices again lol...thanks all... always get the best answers here..

[tnnhoward]

I totally agree with brave. FastEddie laid it out perfect. Nough said. Should be a sticky for "Best Shocks". Those ARE the choices.

[FastEddy]

This is what I have found. I have used EVERY product listed in this post. These are my observations and my opinions. Im sure that others may have contrasting opinions. I have tried to lay out only the facts as I see them.

Lets start with the shock bodies:
(I will only address the VVC shocks in this post.)


HPI Stock shock bodies:

• No reason to get something else. At this point there is no functional upgrade on the market that will do anything for performance.
• Other brands may or MAY NOT be compatible with other aftermarket products and will only lighten your wallet.

Pistons:

• No functional upgrades on the market at this time:

Shafts and ends:

At this time the shafts are not an issue. All the manufacturers seem to have this under control. The issue here is the rod ends.

• Stock: Least expensive, FIXED ENDS non replaceable. Uses the traditional pivot ball. Known issue of the ends breaking.
• PhatDad: Pay the price and you get the shafts and a replaceable Nylon? (Not sure what material is being used) that is much stronger then the stick ends. The ends also use the traditional pivot ball.
• DarkSoul: Pay the price and you get the shafts and a replaceable rod end made of alloy. The rod end uses a grommet and sleeve system rather then a pivot ball.

I do believe at this time both the PhatDad and the DarkSoul rod ends are interchangeable between manufacturers shafts.

Seals:

• Stock: Cheap but tend to not last to long.
• DarkSoul Red: Inexpensive, Last longer then Stock
• Umbrells Seals: Pay the price and you get a seal that lasts MUCH longer then any others. Some find them tricky to install.

Caps:

• Stock: Cheap, Leak after time, stretch out at the ball end over time.
• Fast Eddy Bleeder Caps: Pay the price and get an alloy cap that doesn't leak. Uses a grommet and sleeve system rather then the traditional pivot ball. Has the added functionality of easily bleeding 100% of the air out of the shocks, extremity smooth operation Easy to bleed, Adds a small amout of weight.
• Threshold Rezzies: Pay the price and you get a FULLY functional Reservoir system that doesnt leak. Bleeds 100% of the air out of the system. Uses the traditional pivot ball system. Extremely smooth operation. Adds a significant amount of weight. Some find them hard to fill and bleed.

Springs, perches, ride height adjusters:

• Thats another post.

[MySharona]

nicely put.

[breezyjr]

I am so glad I found this post...

I was looking at picking up the RC4WD shocks, front and rear... But, now I've saved myself $300.

Thanks Fast Eddy, for the very concise, and informative post.

I wish more people would take the time to answer questions like this. Every board I've ever been apart of, there is always the, "what's the best ____?"
Followed by 20 different opinions. I would have saved much $$$ if more folks took a few minutes to post information, rather than opinions.

Thanks for saving me $300... (So, now I'm guessing you'd like a part of that $300 I've saved, eh??? hehe )

Joe_Breezy