Sledge shock oil weight

[dshaf]

Recently upgraded to traxxas stiffer springs front/ rear on my sledge. Installed traxxas springs that are one step stiffer than stock. Front is perfect and no longer have to max out preload for level ride height. Rear seems pretty bouncy, assuming thicker oil will fix this? May just put stock rear springs back on with the stiffer fronts, main reason for the change was the front ride height anyway

 

[CertifiedMike]

If your rear is bouncy, thicker oil will help. Changing spring rate won't fix 'bouncy'.

 

[dshaf]

Thanks. Rear wasn't bouncy until I installed stiffer springs though, at least not that I recall. Gonna put stock rear back on tomorrow with slightly stiffer front to see how I like it

 

[Ramp addict]

50wt is stock in the rear. I would recommend possibly 70wt, there is a big jump in spring rate between the light and medium springs. You may be over sprung in the back. My Sledge is beefcaked out with a Castle 1717 sitting in the stock location. I run the stock/light springs in the rear because the medium ones are too stiff. With a Sledge most of the weight sits on the front wheels.

 

[dshaf]

Thanks. Yeah, think I'll stick with stock rear springs. Like the fronts so far with stiffer springs, but not so much on rear

 

[Ramp addict]

The truck in the picture has heavy springs in the front with 80wt and the rears are stock/light with 50wt. The truck sits level. I also recommend M2C pistons, they make a difference.

 

[dshaf]

Cool, thanks

 

[dshaf]

Assuming these are the m2c pistons you are referring to for sledge? If so, gonna order a set today

 

[Ramp addict]

Assuming these are the m2c pistons you are referring to for sledge? If so, gonna order a set today

Yes they are. The dampening is the same or very close to stock so you use the same shock fluid.

 

[dshaf]

Yes they are. The dampening is the same or very close to stock so you use the same shock fluid.

So do you think i would notice a difference with these pistons using original wt shock fluid? I don't jump the sledge 50' in the air like some folks, I mostly just rip it down my neighborhood street with occasional offroad at ballfield or construction lots. Always willing to make small improvements though if it will improve handling. Sway bar kit made a big difference i recently installed

 

[Ramp addict]

People have had different experiences with Traxxas shocks. Mine always ran stiff or sticky. I would push the truck down and it would stay there and not pop back up. With new pistons it would be good for a while then turn sticky again. With the M2C pistons my shocks are always smooth. I consider them to be a good investment.

 

[dshaf]

Makes sense. Experienced this once while running sledge at a construction site. Truck was pretty dirty and front shocks wouldn't rebound back up at all. Figured it was bc the shocks were covered in dirt and sticking, but now wonder if it was bc the shocks were being worked hard and the internal piston was swelling/ sticking. Definitely gonna try the m2c pistons and maybe up the shock oil weight to 70/60 front/ rear