Shocks (Full Version)

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Shocks

  

bmbenear -> Shocks (8/15/2007 4:30:02 PM)

I have a 2007 H3 Adventure which I put the Ready Lift kit on and cranked up a little past recommended height to 25" center of wheel to fender lip. I think I need a  front shock with a little more travel than what the stock shock and spacer from Ready Lift provided. Can you all recommend a brand and possible model number for me? I see from a previous post that Bilstein Cognito 6140 was suggested. You agree?
Thanks for the help.

  
importkiller -> RE: Shocks (8/15/2007 4:46:42 PM)

the bilstien is a good shock, there is also another one made especially for the h3 with a t-bar lift....try doing a search...I now for a fact a link was posted here a few months ago. I bookmarked it but then my computer fried and I don't have that info saved on my new laptop..sorry.

tomp -> RE: Shocks (8/15/2007 6:11:29 PM)

http://cognitomotorsports.com/store/Hummer_H3.html

Gunner_45 -> RE: Shocks (8/15/2007 6:41:14 PM)

I've got the cognitos on mine and love'em....A couple of pics to show the difference...

If you are interested in more detial, do a search on my ID and Cognito...

[image]http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/Gunner_45_pics/Forum%20Crap/222cf54b.jpg[/image]
[image]http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/Gunner_45_pics/Forum%20Crap/9bc8b417.jpg[/image]

importkiller -> RE: Shocks (8/15/2007 7:16:06 PM)

that be dem!! Thanks guys...I knew I wasn't going crazy.[8D]

D VADER -> RE: Shocks (8/16/2007 6:32:48 AM)

I've seen several Rancho shocks on H2s.  Any comments?

07TacticalH3 -> RE: Shocks (8/16/2007 6:41:15 AM)

Hey was just reading about those shocks and they seem great.  But they were saying.....The stock torsion keys have enough adjustment to get the height needed to level the vehicle. Just crank up the stock keys & replace the stock front shocks with this Cognito upgrade......
 
Is that true?....Could i use them to lift my front without the ready lift torson kit or would it be better to have that kit and these shocks to maintain a stock quality ride?.....THANKS

Ken06H3 -> RE: Shocks (8/16/2007 6:42:53 AM)

I've good luck with Edelbrock IAS on other SUVs

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/mc/shocks/shocks_main.shtml


Doc Olds -> RE: Shocks (8/16/2007 8:10:34 AM)

Yes.  You can lift the front with the stock keys.  All the readylift and others do is "re-index" the starting point to a different setting than stock, the keys are just shaped differently, no mysterious magic going on.  The stock H3 keys have plenty of room to adjust the front basically level with the rear.  On my last GMC, I bought a Superlift kit for 2.5" - 3" of lift.  The stock keys on that truck would only get you maybe an inch cranked all the way.  The Superlift keys "re-indexed" the starting point so you could adjust for greater lift, but they would not allow the front to be as low as the stock set.  I hope you are with me on this?

Example:  let's say the stock 3 keys start at -1, with zero being factory height adjustment, and go up to say +3.  The lift kit keys people buy start at +1 and go up to +5.  Just lets you adjust upward more.  So the stock key setting of +2 is like equal to the readylift +2, but you only adjusted the ready lift a small portion of its range, and you are near the very top of the stock.  The results at the end are the same lift, just more of the torsion bar adjusting bolt is turned thru the stock key.

A bunch of members here have lifted the front without the lift kit keys and I have not heard one of them complaining one bit.  I really hope this helps.

Man those shocks are sweet though.  You guys are gonna kill my wallet.

mfish -> RE: Shocks (8/16/2007 10:49:07 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gunner_45

I've got the cognitos on mine and love'em....A couple of pics to show the difference...

If you are interested in more detial, do a search on my ID and Cognito...

[image]http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/Gunner_45_pics/Forum%20Crap/222cf54b.jpg[/image]
[image]http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/Gunner_45_pics/Forum%20Crap/9bc8b417.jpg[/image]



How does the ride compare to the stock shocks? 

I have the readylift kit also, I use Pro Comp shocks to replace the stock.  The ride is a little softer which is nice but when I brake the front end dips down just a little which is starting to get annoying, it's minor but I wouldnt mind something a little stiffer, but not to stiff. I looked everywhere for adjustable shocks but nobody makes them for a leveled H3, I'm trying to hold out for them but I dont think I can wait.

Doc Olds -> RE: Shocks (8/16/2007 11:03:11 AM)

 mfish:      "it's minor but I wouldnt mind something a little stiffer, but not to stiff."

I bet that's what all the gals say!   [sm=lol.gif]   I am sorry doood, just couldn't let that one by  [sm=lol.gif][sm=lol.gif][sm=lol.gif]

Seriously, a good question, by I just couldn't[:D][:D][:D]. 

I restored two vettes (70 and a 71) and used Bilsteins, they were some sweet shocks.  Top quality.  Gunner_45 please give us the ride scoop.

Gunner_45 -> RE: Shocks (8/16/2007 8:09:07 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: mfish

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gunner_45

I've got the cognitos on mine and love'em....A couple of pics to show the difference...

If you are interested in more detial, do a search on my ID and Cognito...

[image]http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/Gunner_45_pics/Forum%20Crap/222cf54b.jpg[/image]
[image]http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/Gunner_45_pics/Forum%20Crap/9bc8b417.jpg[/image]



How does the ride compare to the stock shocks? 

I have the readylift kit also, I use Pro Comp shocks to replace the stock.  The ride is a little softer which is nice but when I brake the front end dips down just a little which is starting to get annoying, it's minor but I wouldnt mind something a little stiffer, but not to stiff. I looked everywhere for adjustable shocks but nobody makes them for a leveled H3, I'm trying to hold out for them but I dont think I can wait.


I've been running them for quite a while now and really like 'em. I put 'em on a week after the dealer did my T-Bar crank and alignment.

Night and day difference between them and the stock shocks.

They are firm but not at all unpleasant, body roll and nose dive has been decreased somewhat and lateral stability seems a little better.

However, some of the LS is due in part to the 12.50" wide tires and increased rim width (9" with a 5" backspace).

All in all, it was a great mod and improved the overall drivability of the truck. (In my humble opinion)

Hunner -> RE: Shocks (8/26/2007 11:56:34 AM)

I just keep seeing this subject come up and just want to point out a few things. This is not a complete explanation just a short version, well shorter than others. It is also just my opinon. Please correct me if I have overlooked something. A shock alone will not raise the front end. A coil over might. I keep seeing these advertised as front end lift shocks but without cranking the bars or adding keys they just compress to ride height. They will however help eliminate the problem of the stock shock trying to overextend its downward limit too soon with cranked t-bars.
The stock shock is "about" 15 1/4 measured from the bottom of the bottom upper washer to center of lower mounting hole. Some people measure from the top of the rubber above that but for reference that has to be compressed on the vehicle so can change.
It is a little short of max suspension drop which is when the upper a-arm hits the metal stop. That means it is helping support the suspension. The sway bar also is also helping to limit drop. I have lots and lots of time measuring all this. I posted elsewhere some of this but feel like I want to help any misunderstanding because I like this forum.
If you jack up the H3 and let the suspension drop until the metal bump stop for the upper arm hits, that is it, NO more drop. So a spacer on top of the stock shock will move the center of travel down rather than an extender on the bottom simply compressing the shock more and limiting its range of shock absorbing ability. The longer shocks will have to be compressed to fit thus loosing all but "about" 1 1/4 inch of its longer length. However it might also then still be in its operating range instead of overextending like the stock shock when the torsions are cranked as high as 8 turns like mine. Is that clear as mud on a H3 or am I total out of touch??
The first picture shows stock shock disconnected and the suspension hanging.
The next one shows the results by adding a loose nut at the top to lengthen the shock. That solved the overextending of the stock shock and hitting its full travel, and feels like it!
So a longer maybe better shock like the Bilstein/Cognito my improve ride quality but can only use part of the extended length. I still see conflicting measurments as to the unloaded length and fully compressed length of that shock.
Im working on limit strap length now and it has been tough because of several measurements and suspension geometry. It now seems about 14 3/4 length is the shortest you can use because of the limit of how far you can jack up the suspension to get it mounted on the lower bolt. This still allows the upper a-arm to come to the metal stop because of minor stretch and varying geometry but just barely. This means you are getting all the downward travel available. Hopefully when I get that worked out and the new tie rods I can publish better findings. If I use the longer shock I want the strap to prevent the upper a-arm from leveraging on the metal stop and possibly causing failure.
Sorry I could not be more brief. This is something we all need to get right.
I hope I helped some people understand at least my research on this. I post on several sites and have brain fade at times but can tell by the current posts some of this got missed. I feel like there is a lot to gain by checking around for different opinions.
Ok hit me..........


[image]local://upfiles/1095/FB1F831E3CD34AF9A789C432776CC2FA.jpg[/image]

[image]local://upfiles/1095/FF64D29F9E98460DA077AEA43847D86E.jpg[/image]

StarsnBars -> RE: Shocks (8/26/2007 1:24:41 PM)

I put these on a year ago,,  http://www.4wheelonline.com/Products.aspx?CategoryId=332&ProductId=1345    There alittle softer than stock. I have my T-bars cranked allmost 3 turns.  No problems.  Just another idea tossed into the mix.  See ya,,

[image]local://upfiles/267/7BA110E6A9E44A04ADA542C54807DD0D.jpg[/image]

[image]local://upfiles/267/DAFDB6F2239645A0879AA19EB03C2525.jpg[/image]

Hunner -> RE: Shocks (8/26/2007 1:52:38 PM)

I remember when you got those. What was the part number for the ones for the front that indicates the clevis at bottom? I want to read the measurments on them. If Im right Tenneco the makers of the stock ones also make Monroe, Rancho, and Comp and others to their specifications.  I too looked into those. So far Im still on stock until I do some other things which will affect the length.
If you don't hang a wheel in the air alot offroad the metal bump stop does not come into play. You should check the stop and see if it looks like it has been rubbing. Its black but gets shiny where it does.
You need some of my rear skids to protect those rear ones before you take one off!

While searching I found this also as an option but have not tried them.
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/mc/shocks/shock_app_chart-2.shtml

  

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