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Aluminum shocks....are they all the same?

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massivex

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My last crash bent two of my shocks on 90 degree angles. I want to upgrade. The question is is there a big difference between different aluminum shock manufacturers and who is recoginzed as having the the best product.
 
From what I've seen, and witnessed, the BigBores are the may to go... I'm sure there not the "BEST" out there, but the price & support is great. Before using BB's I used a set of Powerline Al. shocks, and those didn't last long at all... The shaft actually ripped out of the shock body...
One thing important to remember is, make sure the shock shaft, (after filled & mounted), is no more than 3/4 extended when truck is sitting flat on the floor. I've seen guys put Super Heavy oversized springs on there shocks, and it actually caused the shocks to break or come apart on impact.
I'm currently having great luck with the BB's & Dual rate springs.
I also heard the Associated Al shocks are a good buy...
Beware of Powerline... Just my opinion...
Good luck:smoke:

Best Price I've Seen...
 
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I went with BB's and am very happy with them. Sorry, haven't tried any others yet, so can't compare, but if you do decided to get them, get some new springs as well. When I assembled them the first time with the stock springs, my truck sank 3/4 of the way to my bench. Now I'm running 1 stock spring and 1 Trinity blue per corner, and it seems pretty good. BTW, they cost me $125 and $12 (+ tax) for 4 springs from my LHS.
 
I am using the Dynamite aluminum threaded shaft shocks, which are made by Losi. I have not had a single problem with them since I put them on. They come with crappy weak springs so I did use Trinity blue springs and the stock T lower retainers, they fit the trinity springs better than the Dynamite lower retainers.

Another thing you need to consider is whether or not you want to build the shocks or get them pre assembled. The AE and Dynamites you will have to assemble, which imo is a good thing. You get to know exactly whats inside and how they work before you are trying to figure it out after its broken. If you don't want to build them then the big bores are a good choice.
 
The big bores are listed as XL. Is this standard?

8 for $109 CDN no tax!
 
Yeah, i think it is. And yeah, I paid a little more, but that's what you get for living in a small town.
 
http://www.greathobbies.com/frame_index.html

If you're in Canada these guys are a great. Really doesn't mater where you live, all you have to do is call. Good prices. Friendly staff. Ships Canada Post ( in stock items, in as fast as a day).

Best part is because they are mail order they only charge GST (no provincial).

Their T-Maxx is $639.00 + GST. Nobody can even come close to that right now.
 
I've ran the Big Bores, the Associated, and the Dynamites. I settled on the Dynamites. I mostly race my T-Maxx, so I am very particular about my shocks.

I always had a problem with the Big Bores leaking. They always seeped a little from the bottoms. I also had problems with the bladders sucking down into the shocks and leaking. They also were very inconsistent to build. It would take several tries to get them right.

The Associated shocks work fine well. They are also cheaper initially. Although, you will eventually want to upgrade to aluminum caps. This puts the price comparable to the Big Bores or Dynamites. I found the Associated a little inconsistent to build also. They do go together better than the Big Bores.

I prefer the Dynamites. First, they have threaded bodies. Another thing is that they are bottom load. This means one less place to leak and no bladders to worry about. Plus, you have the option of running 4-orings per shock. This greatly reduces the time between rebuilds. The Dynamites are a breeze to build. One try and they all have the same dampening.

You can run the RPM dual stage pistons with the Associated or the Dynamites. You will have to hand sand the pistons to fit them in the Big Bores. It is a huge pain.

It is also a good idea to put Traxxas shock ends on both the Associated and Dynamite shocks. This will allow you to use the stock 3mm screws on the bottoms, rather than the 4-40 screws included with the shocks.
 
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