Cactus Red's Build - 2009 Power Wagon

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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by Mr.Smith » Wed Oct 28, 2015 1:36 am

What brand Y-pipe?

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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by Cactus Red » Wed Oct 28, 2015 11:00 am

It's whatever brand he uses, and I didn't ask. Total cost for parts and labor was $350.00 cash.

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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by Mr.Smith » Thu Oct 29, 2015 1:02 am

Looks great, well done Sir.

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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by Cactus Red » Sat Feb 13, 2016 10:38 pm

At 80000 and change, the Bilstien 5100's are toast, and have been for over a year. I figure they went close to 65000 miles before they started to fail. Oddly enough, they are both mushy and harsh riding now, not a good combo.

I'd recommend them as a basic replacement for the stock shocks. They are better than the OEM Bilstiens by a fair margins.

That said, they are being replaced by Fox 2.0 remote reservoir shocks, #985-24-021 (front $227.00 each) and 985-24-022 (rear $214.00 each) . We are running a set of Fox's on our JKUR, and I've been impressed with them for the price.

After contacting Fox, all shocks in for the 2500 trucks are valved for the diesel truck. With the extra weight I carry, that should be fine. My daily driving weight is right at 8K.

Hope to get the fronts on next weekend!

Mark

Fronts should arrive on Thursday, rears will be ordered in a few weeks.

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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by azracer » Sun Feb 14, 2016 6:27 am

Nice! Looking forward to a review of what you think of the new shocks. Are they 10" or 12" travel? Even at 10" front and 12" rear your going to get tons more droop!

My 2.5 kings are broken in now and are very compliant on the small stuff but take the bigger hits just fine. I do hate the bypass noise but have tuned them out like some say they do for a nagging wife. I seriously just don't hear them any more at All! LOL.

I now have travel limitation on my 2001 WJ and my 2009 PW! I really need to get on this and fix them both so I can get full droop. On The WJ I did a 2" lift but since it is a daystar lift I kept the OEM Upcountry 1.25" lift as well. That's a total of 3.25" of lift with a .75" bump stop drop spacer. The next choice of Bilstein shock is a 4" and now my rear vent tube and rear brake lines as well as the sway bar links front and rear are way too short for the droop the shocks allow for. Seems I have as a rule, a real issue with allowing for maximum droop and need to address that short coming as soon as possible LOL. My PW still can't flex to the maximum due to similar limiting issues! I really need to address this but life seems to get in the way LOL.
My build 2009 3G
http://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/vie ... =13&t=2305

Beginners reading list:
1) Quigley’s Anglo-American Establishment – 354 pages http://www.carrollquigley.net/pdf/the_a ... shment.pdf
2) Wall Street and the Bolshevik Revolution by Antony C. Sutton 165 pages https://www.voltairenet.org/IMG/pdf/Sut ... tion-5.pdf
3) Wall Street & the Rise of Hitler by Antony C. Sutton 148 pages https://www.voltairenet.org/IMG/pdf/Sut ... Hitler.pdf
4) Wall Street and FDR by Antony C. Sutton 177 pages http://sandiego.indymedia.org/media/2007/02/125049.pdf
5) Dishonest Money by Joseph Plummer 175 pages http://joeplummer.com/dishonest-money.html
6) None Dare Call it Conspiracy by Gary Allen 197 pages http://www.outpost-of-freedom.com/libra ... y_1971.pdf
David Rockefeller: Memoirs (The story of traitors)
http://www.devvy.com/pdf/2006_November/ ... rnment.pdf

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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by Cactus Red » Sun Feb 14, 2016 9:50 am

KP, they are10" front, 12" rear travel.

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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by Cactus Red » Fri Feb 19, 2016 8:38 pm

Got the Fox's on this afternoon. They should be perfect for a stock PW w/ stock tires both in length and reservoir mounting.

But Cactus Red isn't stock. Longer control arms, a 1" spacer, and 315/70-17 tires make for problems with the reservoir mount. At full stuff and full lock, the tires hit pretty hard. And they are just barely long enough too. They might have 1/4 droop left if I'm looking at it right.

Pics to follow...

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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by azracer » Fri Feb 19, 2016 8:55 pm

Are these the ones that mount the reservoir on the shock tower? Can they be relocated to the frame? Is the problem droop or is it actually compression. It sounds to me like you got shocks for a 6" lift. I got short body 12" travel shocks with Don's special short body shock that are about 10" long. That is the only way I know of to fit a 12" travel shock in the back. I thought possibly the guys you were getting them from were making a special version like Don Did on the 2.5 Kings.
My build 2009 3G
http://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/vie ... =13&t=2305

Beginners reading list:
1) Quigley’s Anglo-American Establishment – 354 pages http://www.carrollquigley.net/pdf/the_a ... shment.pdf
2) Wall Street and the Bolshevik Revolution by Antony C. Sutton 165 pages https://www.voltairenet.org/IMG/pdf/Sut ... tion-5.pdf
3) Wall Street & the Rise of Hitler by Antony C. Sutton 148 pages https://www.voltairenet.org/IMG/pdf/Sut ... Hitler.pdf
4) Wall Street and FDR by Antony C. Sutton 177 pages http://sandiego.indymedia.org/media/2007/02/125049.pdf
5) Dishonest Money by Joseph Plummer 175 pages http://joeplummer.com/dishonest-money.html
6) None Dare Call it Conspiracy by Gary Allen 197 pages http://www.outpost-of-freedom.com/libra ... y_1971.pdf
David Rockefeller: Memoirs (The story of traitors)
http://www.devvy.com/pdf/2006_November/ ... rnment.pdf

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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by Cactus Red » Fri Feb 19, 2016 9:12 pm

They are actually too short KP. The 5100's were about 3/4" longer. I'll get the pics up after dinner!

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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by Cactus Red » Fri Feb 19, 2016 10:10 pm

Bilstein 5100 and Fox side by side - the Bilstein is longer by about 3/4"
side by side.jpg
5100 on the truck. The driver side shock was toast - the passengers side was still working.
5100.jpg
Fox installed - notice the reservoir mount is flat and the can is unmarked.
installed.jpg
Fox hose placement thru tower - if you don't pay attention, it will turn until it contacts the tower.
res hose in tower.jpg
After doing a test at full stuff/full lock w/ swaybar disconnected.
full stuff full lock 1.jpg
Closer view.
full stuff full lock 2.jpg
The shocks are visually (were I should say) perfect upon receipt. They appear to be very high quality in all aspects - I'm very pleased with that. I'll figure out another way to mount the cans. There isn't room to the inside to mount them on the tower, so I'll figure out something else. They will not mount anywhere in the fender well without contact, so it may take some thought... I can't put them on top of the tower due to the AirAid CAI box without compromising it - something I'd rather not do to avoid water in the box.

I am concerned about droop - the shocks now limit that. At full stuff, they still have about 1/2" of shaft showing before they hit the built in bump stop. Speaking of that, I will need to put longer stops on the truck too...

So, I now look forward to seeing how they feel on and off road.

Mark
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The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by 2wagons1driveway » Fri Feb 19, 2016 11:22 pm

Did you get these from Thuren fab?

Edit I see that you got them directly from fox! I'm surprised your having issues with them normally I've only seen the reservoir mounted above the wheel/ beside the tower on fourth gen radius arm trucks so I'm surprised you installed there.

This is reminding me if the situation that beryl had with his bilsteins when he bought them directly from bilstein he had fitment issues and what not.

I wonder if you would have had issues with Thuren fabs fox shocks instead which sound like they would have been more in tune with the truck size wise and resi mount wise! I had a friend selling his they were only on his diesel fourth gen for 3 months while he waited for his kings to be built would have been a good solution!


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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by Cactus Red » Sat Feb 20, 2016 11:10 am

They would be fine on a standard 2500 or stock PW. The tire width and flex are something Fox never considered. I think it will be easy to relocate them to the side of the coil bucket.

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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by Cactus Red » Sat Feb 20, 2016 2:17 pm

Very easy fix - took an hour or so to finish it up.

Opened up the mounting hole in the Fox bracket to fit over the stem of the shock on the right side, and everything cleared fine. The left side is more involved due to battery cables and wiring looms. Built a short extension from aluminum, and mounted the can upside down to clear everything. It mounts to the stem as well.

Took it out for a quick test drive on local roads - one has been badly eroded by traffic on a very muddy clay/mesa top section, the other is heavy washboard. The front is firm but compliant, soaks up the big hits easily, yet felt good on pavement too. The rear is now showing how badly worn out the shocks are - they will be replaced sooner than I'd planned.
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right side.jpg
left side.jpg
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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by azracer » Sat Feb 20, 2016 8:46 pm

looks good!
My build 2009 3G
http://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/vie ... =13&t=2305

Beginners reading list:
1) Quigley’s Anglo-American Establishment – 354 pages http://www.carrollquigley.net/pdf/the_a ... shment.pdf
2) Wall Street and the Bolshevik Revolution by Antony C. Sutton 165 pages https://www.voltairenet.org/IMG/pdf/Sut ... tion-5.pdf
3) Wall Street & the Rise of Hitler by Antony C. Sutton 148 pages https://www.voltairenet.org/IMG/pdf/Sut ... Hitler.pdf
4) Wall Street and FDR by Antony C. Sutton 177 pages http://sandiego.indymedia.org/media/2007/02/125049.pdf
5) Dishonest Money by Joseph Plummer 175 pages http://joeplummer.com/dishonest-money.html
6) None Dare Call it Conspiracy by Gary Allen 197 pages http://www.outpost-of-freedom.com/libra ... y_1971.pdf
David Rockefeller: Memoirs (The story of traitors)
http://www.devvy.com/pdf/2006_November/ ... rnment.pdf

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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by 2wagons1driveway » Sat Feb 20, 2016 9:53 pm

Ya that's a good spot for them!


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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by Cactus Red » Fri Feb 26, 2016 8:49 pm

Rear shocks are on order from Poly Performance. Should be here next week. The well worn Bilstiens are showing how bad they are...

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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by coder » Sat Feb 27, 2016 8:27 pm

Those Fox shocks look good I'm glad to hear you like them so far, how do they compare on washboard roads to the 5100s firmer/softer, more/less controlled, etc.?
Vehicle: 2007 Power Wagon Quad Cab - Factory Options (Inferno Red, Premium Cloth Bench Seat, Light Group, Automatic Transmission, Leather Steering Wheel)
Suspension: Carli 3" Hemi Coils, Carli Control Arms, Carli King 2.5 Pin-Tops, Carli Stainless Steering Stabilizer, Carli Trackbar | Synergy 1" Rear Shackle
Performance: Magnaflow Muffler | Magnaflow Y-Pipe
Wheels/Tires: Yokohama X-A/T 35x12.5x17
Steering/Drivetrain/Axles: Carli Front Diff Guard | Dynatrac Ball Joints | Mopar HD Steering Gear
Miscellaneous: Line-X Bedliner | Locker Bypass Switch | Mopar Rock Rails | Odyssey Extreme 65-PC1750T | Performance Friction Brake Pads | Weathertech Digital Fit Mats | Winch Thermal Protection Bypass

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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by Cactus Red » Sat Feb 27, 2016 9:15 pm

I'll let you know when all four are on!

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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by Cactus Red » Wed Mar 02, 2016 7:07 am

Rear shocks are on. Forgot what a bitch the right rear top shock bolt is... Anyway, the left rear Bilstien was toast. It had about 4" of free travel before it started to make pressure. Right rear was about half pressure.

Again, I was impressed by fit and finish on the Fox Shocks. Length is perfect for a stock PW, about 3/4" travel left at full droop. Pics to follow as will my initial impressions.

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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by Cactus Red » Wed Mar 02, 2016 9:48 am

Lable:
IMG_20160301_182429004 (720x1280).jpg
Side by side:
IMG_20160301_171835080 (1280x720).jpg
Installed:
IMG_20160301_182540467 (720x1280).jpg
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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by coder » Wed Mar 02, 2016 1:46 pm

Cactus Red wrote:Rear shocks are on. Forgot what a bitch the right rear top shock bolt is... Anyway, the left rear Bilstein was toast. It had about 4" of free travel before it started to make pressure. Right rear was about half pressure.

Again, I was impressed by fit and finish on the Fox Shocks. Length is perfect for a stock PW, about 3/4" travel left at full droop. Pics to follow as will my initial impressions.
Nice I have never owned a set of Fox shocks but they look like a quality product. What valving do you have?

Bilstein's have a good reputation but they are leaky, almost every set I have owned (at least a dozen) has lost pressure or oil within the first few years, some within the first few months.
Vehicle: 2007 Power Wagon Quad Cab - Factory Options (Inferno Red, Premium Cloth Bench Seat, Light Group, Automatic Transmission, Leather Steering Wheel)
Suspension: Carli 3" Hemi Coils, Carli Control Arms, Carli King 2.5 Pin-Tops, Carli Stainless Steering Stabilizer, Carli Trackbar | Synergy 1" Rear Shackle
Performance: Magnaflow Muffler | Magnaflow Y-Pipe
Wheels/Tires: Yokohama X-A/T 35x12.5x17
Steering/Drivetrain/Axles: Carli Front Diff Guard | Dynatrac Ball Joints | Mopar HD Steering Gear
Miscellaneous: Line-X Bedliner | Locker Bypass Switch | Mopar Rock Rails | Odyssey Extreme 65-PC1750T | Performance Friction Brake Pads | Weathertech Digital Fit Mats | Winch Thermal Protection Bypass

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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by Cactus Red » Wed Mar 02, 2016 9:25 pm

Fox valves all 2500 Dodge shocks for the diesel truck, so they are fine for me. My daily driving weight is at 8k.

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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by Cactus Red » Mon Mar 14, 2016 12:01 am

Did just under a hundred miles of dirt today. The Fox Shocks and aired down Cooper tire combo really ride nice. The shocks are good at slow speed, excellent at 45 mph and up (got up to 75 mph in spots). The ride is firmer that the 5100's on pavement, but they soak up both heavy washboard and big ruts easily. I'd say they need some speed to get the best outta them.

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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by coder » Tue Mar 22, 2016 7:53 pm

Cactus Red wrote:Did just under a hundred miles of dirt today. The Fox Shocks and aired down Cooper tire combo really ride nice. The shocks are good at slow speed, excellent at 45 mph and up (got up to 75 mph in spots). The ride is firmer that the 5100's on pavement, but they soak up both heavy washboard and big ruts easily. I'd say they need some speed to get the best outta them.
Thanks for the update, I bet the rears are valved just fine but the fronts maybe a tad stiff if valved for the extra 400+ lbs of a cummins, sounds like nice setup either way! Perhaps it's time for a matching steering damper to complete the Fox shock package?

http://www.cjcoffroad.com/Synergy-MfgDo ... 24-046.htm

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Vehicle: 2007 Power Wagon Quad Cab - Factory Options (Inferno Red, Premium Cloth Bench Seat, Light Group, Automatic Transmission, Leather Steering Wheel)
Suspension: Carli 3" Hemi Coils, Carli Control Arms, Carli King 2.5 Pin-Tops, Carli Stainless Steering Stabilizer, Carli Trackbar | Synergy 1" Rear Shackle
Performance: Magnaflow Muffler | Magnaflow Y-Pipe
Wheels/Tires: Yokohama X-A/T 35x12.5x17
Steering/Drivetrain/Axles: Carli Front Diff Guard | Dynatrac Ball Joints | Mopar HD Steering Gear
Miscellaneous: Line-X Bedliner | Locker Bypass Switch | Mopar Rock Rails | Odyssey Extreme 65-PC1750T | Performance Friction Brake Pads | Weathertech Digital Fit Mats | Winch Thermal Protection Bypass

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Re: The Cactus Red mod thread.

Post by Cactus Red » Tue Mar 22, 2016 8:21 pm

Yeah, the 5100 Bilstein damper is probably pretty well worn. No obvious problems tho. I can feel the ball joints are going again tho. Got close to 27k on'm. As long as they keep replacing them under warranty, the stocker are fine by me...

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