SOFT SUSPENSION

believe the es1000's are abit stiffer than stock and as the numbers go up the firmer they get, should imagine the 9000's are like having solid rods with no shock absorption!

jonesyba420 wrote: believe the es1000's are abit stiffer than stock and as the numbers go up the firmer they get, should imagine the 9000's are like having solid rods with no shock absorption!

Depends on a lot of things.
As I have written many times before, Pro Comp, Rough Country and similar shocks are cheap shocks and you get what you pay for. ES9000 are probably the hardest of the cheap shocks available, but still not hard/stiff enough for A Jimny with a Winch, bumper and so on, if you want to use in anything comp-like.

Soft suspension and offroading does not go hand in hand.

4. Which Shocks do i choose?

ES1000’s are the most popular and also come with free black boots, and great for a mix of road driving and offroading and great for greenlaning with 80% of people choosing this shock

ES3000’s are best for jimnys with a little extra weight like winch bumpers and extra tools in the rear, 15% of people choose this shock

ES9000’s are best for jimnys that spend most of the time offroad with winches, steel bumpers, roll cages, bodylifts and extra tools, etc 5% of people choose this shock.

above copied from jimnybits.com.

the spring rate plays a big factor in what shocks to choose aswell (been doing some reading) the spring rate is directly linked to the firmess of the shock.

below also copied from jimnybits.com.

Trailmaster components are made in Europe and are manufactured specifically with the correct ratings for each vehicle. This attention to detail extends to getting certification, the Jimny Lift Kit comes complete with TÜV certification.

The springs must match the weight of the vehicle. Not what shocks you use.

Of all the shocks you mention, only the Trail Master shocks are of somewhat decent quality as far as I know, and made specific to the Jimny as you know

We had this talk for some time now. And still end up with the same. If only peoples would try some better shocks.. Koni, Bilstein or the like. Makes and world of difference to the cheap shocks most of us uses.

The shocks need to be valved to match the spring rate. Stiff springs need little shock absorbtion on the compression, because the spring will provide the resistance. On the rebound, the shock needs to provide a lot of control to counteract the spring returning to normal.

On springs with a low spring rate, the reverse is true. The shock needs to be valved to give high control on compression, but little resistance to extension, as the spring won't have sufficient rate to overcome the shock.

The major fault of shocks like the Rancho Adjustables is that they increase BOTH compression and rebound valving rates together, whereas they should be inversely adjusted.

So your question needs to be: What SPRING RATE is best for the TYPE OF 4WDING I PLAN TO DO?

copied from HERE .

i think when i eventually lift mine in the distant future ill go for the extra mile and get the trailmaster kit (unless further developments occur), you then have to decide between "comfort" and "sport"

maybe some people running the trailmaster's could add some input.

jonesyba420 wrote: The shocks need to be valved to match the spring rate. Stiff springs need little shock absorbtion on the compression, because the spring will provide the resistance. On the rebound, the shock needs to provide a lot of control to counteract the spring returning to normal.

On springs with a low spring rate, the reverse is true. The shock needs to be valved to give high control on compression, but little resistance to extension, as the spring won't have sufficient rate to overcome the shock.

The major fault of shocks like the Rancho Adjustables is that they increase BOTH compression and rebound valving rates together, whereas they should be inversely adjusted.

So your question needs to be: What SPRING RATE is best for the TYPE OF 4WDING I PLAN TO DO?

copied from HERE .

i think when i eventually lift mine in the distant future ill go for the extra mile and get the trailmaster kit (unless further developments occur), you then have to decide between "comfort" and "sport"

maybe some people running the trailmaster's could add some input.

So you just take what one person write as fact? Auszookers is a great forum. But not a lot of these guys do any racing. Instead, try www.IH8MUD.com , www.pirate4x4.com or Devon4x4.com.

Suspension is science, and you can't just use springs to compensate for lack of good shocks. Why do you think good shocks for offroading costs a fortune and springs only cost a few hundred £££?

The springs will have to match the vehicles weight, travel, droop and other factors. When all that is good and done, you'll find shocks that match your needs. Bypass shocks, coilovers, with reservoir, regular etc.. Of course, with coilovers with 2 or 3 springs of different rate it gets more complicated

Found this calculator:
f-o-a.com/calculator.html

fitting too hard springs may result in no sag at all, and will give a harsh ride, not allowing the shocks to to their job. fitting too soft a spring, and you'll ride on the bump stops all the time