New Bilstein / Cognito Hummer H3 Leveling Front Shocks???

[HUMMJAY]

Originally Posted by Steve - SanJose

Hummjay - what did you hate about the TRUXXX kit?

I just thought it road like chit,,, when breaking the nose would dive, when accelerating the nose would take off,,,,, when instaled to TRUXXX specs it made the truck look like it was walking up hill, also the techs could never really correct the camber on the front tires and 35" procomps arnt cheap,,,so I learnd my lesson with cheap lift's

[tomp]

The problem I saw with the Truxx kit is that their shock extension lengthens the shock too far. This is due to the type of shock mount the H3 has and not Truxx's fault. There was no way around it. What this means is that you have to crank up the TBs too far to benefit from the extensions. Once you go "Too Far" as you do with this kit, then you bottom out on the other end of the shock too soon.

Now, the problem with these Bilsteins, is that I am not sure how they were able to accomplish longer travel length while using a a shorter body? Well, I can tell you my first thought: The stock shocks have internal and external bump stops. These are mase by Monroe/Rancho for Hummer with these specs, required by Hummer. This basically shortens the travel of the shock and provides protection on both ends of travel range. What I am afraid of, is that Bilstein either did not know or chose not to include the bump stops!

This 2nd paragraph addresses Desert Dan's concern, if using the stock, Monroe or Rancho shocks. I am not sure on the Bilsteins yet - but stay tuned.

Please be patient - I will get some answers when the new shocks arrive

[HummBebe]

Originally Posted by tomp

The problem I saw with the Truxx kit is that their shock extension lengthens the shock too far. This is due to the type of shock mount the H3 has and not Truxx's fault. There was no way around it. What this means is that you have to crank up the TBs too far to benefit from the extensions. Once you go "Too Far" as you do with this kit, then you bottom out on the other end of the shock too soon.

Now, the problem with these Bilsteins, is that I am not sure how they were able to accomplish longer travel length while using a a shorter body? Well, I can tell you my first thought: The stock shocks have internal and external bump stops. These are mase by Monroe/Rancho for Hummer with these specs, required by Hummer. This basically shortens the travel of the shock and provides protection on both ends of travel range. What I am afraid of, is that Bilstein either did not know or chose not to include the bump stops!

This 2nd paragraph addresses Desert Dan's concern, if using the stock, Monroe or Rancho shocks. I am not sure on the Bilsteins yet - but stay tuned.

Please be patient - I will get some answers when the new shocks arrive

Sweet, can't wait to get the skinny. There are other options, like the Fox H3 shock, but would like feed back on the cognito.

[tomp]

Hi Bebe,

I spoke to Cognito a while ago. Sounds like they left off the bump stops on the Bilsteins and they use the same length shock body etc as stock.

Probably not as cush in high impact situations when you might hit the frame-mount stops, but should provide better ride overall. Cognito claims very big improvement in ride quality over stock with cranked TBs.

If it's the same body length as stock and doesn't have the bump stops, they may improve stock height TB suspension setup as well. I know my H3 had some basket-balling ocurring even when stock, compared to my H2. Do note however, that the H2 has both internal and external stops on the shocks as well.

Anyhow, Bilsteins on their way....

[HummBebe]

Originally Posted by tomp

Hi Bebe,

I spoke to Cognito a while ago. Sounds like they left off the bump stops on the Bilsteins and they use the same length shock body etc as stock.

Probably not as cush in high impact situations when you might hit the frame-mount stops, but should provide better ride overall. Cognito claims very big improvement in ride quality over stock with cranked TBs.

If it's the same body length as stock and doesn't have the bump stops, they may improve stock height TB suspension setup as well. I know my H3 had some basket-balling ocurring even when stock, compared to my H2. Do note however, that the H2 has both internal and external stops on the shocks as well.

Anyhow, Bilsteins on their way....

Cool. I still think a slightly longer travel shock with the stops would be a better solution. Without the internal bump stop, whats to prevent it from pulling apart? I completely separated the rod on 2 shocks.

Also, the HD torsion bars would prevent the BB effect.

I guess we will find out

[tomp]

Originally Posted by HummBebe

Cool. I still think a slightly longer travel shock with the stops would be a better solution. Without the internal bump stop, whats to prevent it from pulling apart? I completely separated the rod on 2 shocks.

Also, the HD torsion bars would prevent the BB effect.

I guess we will find out

With a longer shock we shouldn't need the internal bump stop, as the upper control arm should hit the metal frame stop before the shock gets to an over-extended point where damage is of concern. However, then we have to worry about bottoming since the shock has no external stop - and rely soley on the soft frame stop.

If this turns out to be an issue, we could add the Daystar stops to our shocks http://www.daystarweb.com/ItemForm.a...0-c22acc5e875b or replace the frame-stop with longer poly's: http://www.daystarweb.com/Categories...0-c22acc5e875b

If I am not mistaken, you blew the 9000s? These have close to the same travel as stock and include the internal & external stops on the shocks. I really need to confirm this with Rancho, but this is how it is on the H2.

I really like the idea behind these Bilsteins without any other changes being done. It will be important when we get them installed to ensure the H3 front end height is in the shocks correct range. I will take some measurements and get it set up where it should be in the proper height range for them and I think we'll we good to go.

[Desert Dan]

I would rather have the frame bump stops due the work than the shock than the shocks.

[HummBebe]

I have all the stats on the 9000's, with both the internal and external measurements.

The 9000's shocks have almost 2 inches less travel than stock shocks. I have been running a pair of stock shocks up front for my last couple of offroad trips, and they are much better.

I have posted the measurements in one of my shock threads, I'll see if I can locate it.

What is iti that makes the Bilstiens different? Just the removal of the internal stops?