Excellent video, thanks. Easy to understand and really helped me grasp how shock absorbers work. Regarding larger pistons (and larger diameter shafts to a lesser degree), what effect does the increased seal friction have on small bump compliance and is there anything the more premium Foam Cell and Foam Cell Pro shocks do to overcome it? Cheers
I’m a Gen4 Jimny owner. I did not want a lift kit, but a firmer suspension. I watched this video after I learned that two other brand wasn’t what I wanted. One brand was ridiculously overpriced by the local dealer and did not have the shocks at home, nor did he want to sell me only the shocks without the 40mm lift springs. The second brand had the complete kit at a better price than the first but refused to sell me only the shocks. Your representative had no issue selling me the shocks and included a steering damper as well in the price. That was a pleasant surprise. I travel light in my Jimny. I don’t need the most advanced shocks. Standard Nitro’s are good enough for my kind of driving. I wanted a slightly more firm suspension, and I got it! The ride is slightly stiffer in a straight line on tarmac. It is a lot stiffer when cornering at higher speeds, and it doesn’t dip as much when braking hard from high speeds. I got just what I wanted and I am very happy with the choice and purchase made. No regrets whatsoever. My thanks to you for creating a great product!
Super informative, thanks for taking the time to share all that info! I’m in the market for a new suspension for my Fortuner. I’ll be visiting for a chat in Alberton soon :)
With regards to the shock valving portion. Are you saying that the nitro shocks are the softest, foam cell medium, and FCP are the stiffest. Or are there different valving options within each shock series. Example would be a FCP with a soft or medium valving for a daily driver without a bunch of extra wieght.
Since I chose KO2 60 on 40 offroad tyres, I would probably just need Nitrogen shocks on my 2016 Heritage Defender? I have the oem shocks and springs that almost give you whiplash entering a speed bump at an angle. I travel to remote areas on bad roads but don’t seek 4x4 trails on purpose. Thanks for the informative video I’m going to have a good look at my suspension 👍
Im buying a new lc76. Can i install the rear comfort nitro gas shock without lifting the vehicle ? And how much will it improve my ride quality on paved road ?
Great video, VERY informative. It does however lend to want to ask more questions :-) Towing, Foam Cell Plus, does it make road driving unbearable? Definitely will come and consult before fitting. Thanks again, that was bang on. Shocks for Dummies... Like me :-)
Hi, I am looking for suspension for my car, 4x4 , it has 20' wheels and I tried 17' wheels since I had a terrible time driving the car on bumpy roads, and it transferred the hit to the car, it is very uncomfortable, but changing the size of the wheels didn't work, so my guess is the suspension, but I don't know if the shock absorber will help to the confort in bumpy roads
Hi Mic, I’m wondering the reason why Ironman suspension doesn’t include some form of valving adjustment/knob/bypass on their FCP shocks, it would be great if you’re able to ‘shed some light’ on this?
Hi Jayden. I'll keep this as brief as possible. The adjustment knobs found at the base of "adjustable" shock absorbers merely adjust the flow-by of oil through the foot valve when the shock is compressed and extended. It does in some instances alter the feel of your ride but is does very little to the graphing of the shock - how it dampens suspension movement. True adjustability happens when you alter the valve stack on the working piston of the shock. These do exist. Most vehicles with in-cabin electronic shock adjustment use a small stepper motor on top of the shock shaft. The shaft is hollow with a thin rod that is connected to the motor on top and to the adjustable piston valve stack at the bottom. In car suspension adjustment thus activates the motor to adjust the valve stack in the working piston and alter the graphing. This is most common but there are several other ways of doing this. The system that employs these adjustment knobs at the base of the shock also require you to crawl in under your truck and change the setting when required. Once the novelty wears off, it is never adjusted due to inconvenience. These knobs are also vulnerable on the outside of the shock body at the base and can get damaged off-road. The Ironman 4x4 range of shock absorbers are carefully designed and graphed to work well with OE as well as our aftermarket range of springs. Depending on your requirement, spring rate and load, we do offer comfort, normal and professional valving as options on some of our part numbers.
Very informative video a lot of information extremely interesting. I would love to know if you can advise me I’m interested on their Foamcell shocks for my new Mitsubishi Montero/Pajero 2022 model. Pls. I’m living in the Sultanate of Oman and I’m quite lost to find out a proper shock absorbers for my new vehicle with a ground clearance. Kindly advise I highly appreciated..
Hi Troy. No the Foam does not break down in our Ironman 4x4 Foam Cell shocks. This is unfortunately a myth promulgated by shock companies who do not offer Foam Cell shocks in their product range. The foam cell is a tube of closed cell foam like material that is found around the outer surface of the inner tube on a twin tube foam cell shock absorber. It is like wet suit material but of course, vastly different in application. The foam cell material used in our Ironman 4x4 foam cell shock absorbers can withstand temperatures several times more than the highest temperatures generated by the heat build up in the shock oil. After 17 years at Ironman 4x4 I have yet to see a foam cell break down due to heat. I cannot speak for cheaper brands though.
Hi I have the foam cell pro on my Jeep Wrangler JL. Just a question. The foam cell pro has bump stops on the piston rod. Do I need to remove the original factory bump stops? Cheers
Hi Abraham. The shocks control the springs and therefore suspension movement by absorbing the energy transferred into the spring by road undulations. The better you do this, the smoother your ride will be. If your vehicle is over-sprung, no amount of dampening with make it smooth. Fitting better shocks is always the first option to getting a smoother ride on stock suspension. If the original springs were really badly designed by the vehicle manufacturer (it still happens) then fitting aftermarket springs will improve ride quality as well together with better shocks.
We’re any of your shocks monotube? Also, the dual tube shock you show I refer to as a push/pull shock. Mono tube shocks seem to be a positive pressure shock meaning they’re constantly pushing outward. Would I be correct in thinking that?
Don't quite know what you mean by push/pull. Our shock absorbers are all telescopic and compress and extend like a telescope. We do not have any monotube shocks in our product range. They are a very good concepts but better applied to road and track vehicles. This is due to the potential vulnerability of damaging the shock canister off-road. This would render a mono tube shock unusable. With a twin tube shock, you can ding the outer tube without affecting the working of the shock as long as it is not punctured. Any telescopic shock that has gas pressure will self extend when compressed. Monotube shocks are almost always gas pressurised (high pressure). Twin tube gas shocks have low gas pressure. Foam Cell shocks are almost always twin tube and have no gas pressure therefore do not self extend when compressed.
by push/pull I mean they have resistance in both directions. Like you could collapse the shock by hand and it will stay that way until you physically pull the body and the stem in opposite directions. Just wondering if it being a monotube or a twin tube shock makes a difference whether they constantly push outward with a pretty good amount of force that makes them hard to collapse by hand or not and whether or not.
take a drink every time you hear, "shock absorber" hehe.....filled with oil: Correction - filled with high end GERMAN oil.....apparently everyone else's oil sucks :D Yes, I own a full Foam Cell Pro suspension on my 99 Lexus LX470, so I can spout off a bit.
