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Mixing shocks?

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Lessen

Lessen

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So my Twin engine Maxx project has turned more bash and less race as originally intended... biggest change... I've decided to drop the idea of reversing the chassis to put the engines in the front.. Anyways...

Question is.. is it alright to use different types of shocks at each corner?example being 1 mrsr5 piggyback and 1 hot bodies alum. threaded. I can't use a piggyback shock on the outsides without sacrificing shock mounting possibilities (because of the sway bars)
 
As long as your truck still works and drives nicely I don't see any reason why using different shocks would be bad.
 
Level sitting isn't going to do you much good if they aren't even at full extension. If the length extended isn't the same, you will be putting a lot of strain on the shorter of the two shocks when jumping or cart wheeling. That's if you have one of each on each arm.
 
Would it be the longer ones becasue the take the impact first ???
 
sounds good guys. oh, I didn't mean I would mount the pair (at one corner ) differently. I think if I'm setting up for bashing (a lot of ride height) I'll have clearence. it's just when I want to slam it (for street stuff or whatever) that I run into a clearance problem.
 
As long as the set up is symmetric, you should be good to go. The only other concern was mentioned already with respect to shock extended length. As long as they are the same length or are modified so that there is no strain on the shorter of the two at full extension, you should be good to go.
 
Thanks guys, I'm gonna set up like I mentioned... with my MSR5's to the inside and my hot bodies to the outside. those freakin sway bars just get in the way of the piggyback almost everywhere. I can turn the piggy's around so that the're to the inside of the truck but again my mounts are limited. I think it'll work out good. I just hope I get my parts soon.... I'm ready for this project to be finished cuz I just wanna beat the poop out of it :)
 
If there is a difference in length you can do one of two things.
First is to get different shafts to lengthen the shorter set.
Second is to install spacers to the inside of the longer set.
Spacers come in a bag of different thicknesses and cost under $5.00 for a bag.
It is a good idea to keep them the same length.

Another possibility is to make a set of travel restricters to keep the suspension from fully opening up while in the air. I have used LARGE zip ties from the A to the shock tower. I have also seen some cool setups using custom made straps.
 
oh ok! I see what your sayin about different length. yeah, the Hot Bodies shocks are a bit shorter than my MSR5's.I also have one pair of MSR4 non-piggy's, those would work perfect but I need another pair... jeez, i got so many friggin shocks it's rediculous... and none of 'em are even used yet.

ooh ooh! I just got an idea! i don't really feel like taking apart my shocks at the moment but what do you think the chances are of the top cap of the Hot Bodies threaded shocks fitting on the MSR5 bodys? eh eh???? i could use all my MSR5s but swap out the piggybacks for Hot Bodies caps on 4 of 'em... Damn, that would be great... I'll have to check it out.
 
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SkyMaxx,
Would all the strain be on the longer 1's because the short 1's wouldnt' feel no impact ¿?¿?¿?
 
No, b/c the short ones would be maxxing out before the longer ones b/c they dont have as much travel.
 
Thankz ADDandy,
I was goin crazy thinkin' i was the only 1that knew it was the long 1's buyt i c i was wrong. Atleast i under stand it kno........

Pe@cE
 
I swapped out the caps last night.... I think it'll be fine now. Put the Hot Bodies caps on the outside sets of MSR5s... The Hot Bodies caps make the overall length about 2mm (i'd estimate) longer than the regular MSR5 w/piggyback. I doubt this is anything to be overly concerned about. But it keeps the sway bars clear for movement so that's cool
 
I would still put a 2mm spacer inside the longer set.
Its only a 10 minute job and will keep everything on the up and up.

Its the little details like this that make the difference in the long run. Its in the same category of properly shimming your diffs and tyranny gear shafts. You might look at it and say "no big deal" but in the long run it what make a quality project as compared to a bunch of parts thrown together.
 
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Putting a 2mm spacer inside the shock will keep it from extending by 2 mm and it will now be the same length as the other set.

The spacer is a nylon washer that is installed under the piston plate.
 

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