Baja 5b Shocks vs BigBores on DesertBoy17

[J1A1H]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum.
I'm an avid member of SavageCentral, and just came across this site. don't know how i have missed it. So informative and so many how tos!

Anyway....
I'm running a flux on a desertboy-17 chassis. Running SPI rims for extra wide offset.........

Now i am contemplating running Baja shocks. I don't race often, i bash most of the time. I wanted a stronger more robust shock that can handle the weight and length of the DB-17 chassis. (I know LST isnt the way forward)

I don't want to change my shock towers as stock is definitely best for flexiblity and also much cheaper to replace than any other tower.
Also i am keeping my stock a arms and they are def worth keeping...

Now do you think it would be worth upgrading to the baja shocks?
I have read that people say they can be too stiff...
Are there any other softer springs out? (links pls)

Some don't like the extremely high ride height... Cant the internal shock limiter mod be carried out?

Wouldnt they work better on a longer chassis like the db-17 unlike normal xl TVPs? considering they did come off a long baja in the first place...

In order to fit them i would turn the a arms upside down so i get a little more room to play with. But hopefully i can utilise my stock towers like below on 88s savage.

Are they worth the money..? I don't want to do it just for looks, i want performance out of them too.

I just want to see what people have experienced... I have tried searching but a lot of whipnets info has been taken off the site...???


Thanks a lot. Your opinions are much appreciated.

 

[88gtanotchback]

i had them, ran them, and dumped them. They looked cool but just to stiff for our trucks. Roll overs were a common occurrence. the HPI big bore shocks are the right direction to take. good luck bud.

 

[frddyj]

Welcome to the forum bro, glad you found us here we have a lot of fun.

Let's see some pics of the desert boy. we have a few guys that run them here; pretty kool.

ive only seen a couple guys do the baja shocks, I'm hearing about the same from others as from 88. those shocks were meant for a 20+ # baja not really a 13-14# savage i guess.

 

[J1A1H]

Thanks for the warm welcome and fast responses...

I did think that the Bajas would be overkill on a stock or XL size chassis.
But considering the DB-17 TVPs are measureing 16.5" compared to stock 12.2"... Thats 4" longer!!! (just measured and compared the TVPs) So i thought that they might function a little better.

I thought that with a softer spring and maybe a lighter oil the shocks would work well...
But i would only do this mod if i could utilise the stock shock tower and a arms.

I was just thinking, because the gap between the front and rear wheels have increased, i thought more weight would be applied to each corner upon hard landings and there would be more "whiplash" when landing due to the longer frame.

Well i have ordered some 40wt oil and a 1 level stiffer spring over the stock bigbore springs. I will give that a go first and see how they handle.

 

[frddyj]

it sounds like you've given it some thought bro.

as always i say if you have the funds, the time and interest, then go for it & let us know how it works out.

like i said, i have not tried these shocks & just caz they're not a popular mod doesn't mean they wont work, just not many peeps have done it :resp:

 

[J1A1H]

could someone possibly point me in the direction of some softer baja springs? the stock springs are probably too stiff as 88 has mentioned.

As they do give a ridiculous high ride height... is it completely defeating the purpose of having big shocks if i do the internal shock limiter to bring the A Arms completely horizontal? Will i have bottoming out problems etc...???

I am very tempted to give it a go, just want as much info as possible first.

 

[xll-SavageX-llx]

First off, Welcome to the


As "88gtanotchback" said, go with the BB's (Big Bores) your choice from Big Bores Shock set or Big Bores Sport Shock Set

Sport Shock Set «-- CLICK
Big Bore Shock Set «-- CLICK

Hope this helps..
- Brandon

 

[texasavage]

Welcome to bud!

I can't help with the shocks, besides I run the Big Bores on a stock length savage and love them :10:

If you find any more info let us know! 🙂

 

[88gtanotchback]

could someone possibly point me in the direction of some softer baja springs? the stock springs are probably too stiff as 88 has mentioned.

i ran the yellow (softer spring) and still did not like it at all.

 

[Bankrupter]

The site owners trucks are coming to me for a overhaul as he does not have the time. But, his are on baja shocks with different springs and he hates them to the point he wont run the truck anymore. Your shocks are more about travel length/bore then anything else. A longer shock is not going to help a short throw arm.

 

[J1A1H]

Thank you all for your constructive comments...
Seems like the baja shocks, although probably a great shock, is just not the correct fitment for the savage...
Maybe they would work better with a larger shock tower and longer a arms.
But as i am not doing any of that, it is not the way to go.

I will improve on my big bores. don't think alu big bores are that necessary... I may even buy another set of big bores and put an extra set on the rear with a lighter weight oil all round and softer springs.... I just want to help distribute the extra corner weight of the long savage over more shocks to prevent any shaft bending.

I will work with what i got and try and develop a setup which works for me.

Thanks for fast the constructive criticism.
Think I'm going to be hangin around these forums much more...
Will get some pics up once its put together.

Josh