ADS Off-Road Racing Shocks - Information, Pictures, & BS Thread

I cant really feel it at high speeds but a slight vibration may be present. Its mostly noticeable at 25mph and below. I had the carrier bearing drop installed and the removed it to see if the vibration got better. I just measured my driveline angles and are as follows:

Transfer case 2.9*
First shaft 6.3*
Second shaft 9.6*
Pinion angle 3.4*

I am thinking I need the 3* shim to be almost perfect on my angles.

I did the ECGS bushing while I was doing the lift as a precaution so I know its not a needle bearing vibration. I just measured my driveline angles and are as follows:

Transfer case 2.9*
First shaft 6.3*
Second shaft 9.6*
Pinion angle 3.4*

I am thinking I need the 3* shim to be almost perfect on my angles.

 

Anybody here have any tips or tricks to adjust their resi hoses? I feel mine should look like @sd1uh8as ’s in the picture above but my drivers side hose isn’t angled enough for the resi to sit flush.

Just concerned about how much to loosen the fitting without losing charge or shock oil....

 

A quarter turn should work to loosen and reangle

 

So I slowly loosened the right angle fitting and got it to the needed angulation.

For those that encounter a similar situation during install, the coilover shipped with the resi hose in-line with the clicker.



This was the angle I needed to get the resi sitting flat and not have any rubbing issues of the hose on the coil or UCA.

 

Shims are actually better than the CB drop. Your shaft from the Tcase to the CB should not change. Only change the rear shaft angle to get within 1 degree of the front. 3 degree are cherry

 

Awesome, that is the plan. From what I read that seemed like the right thing to do. Shouldnt bee too difficult, mine should be delivered by Friday or Monday and I will knock it out and report back.

 

Interesting..I did the CB and don't get any vibrations as described.

 

As they say, every truck is different. I also had HD Dakars with only an RTT in the back for now, I did the lift with the GFC in mind so I have to ride around with minimal weght, or add sand bags in the bed, until Mid November when I get my camper.

 

Bought some used front ADS 2.5s off @Sacrifice with 700lb. Springs. Dropped them off today for a cleaning, rebuild, and a cherry red powder coat for the coils to match my JBA arms. Gonna try and get ahold of some red ADS stickers for the resis as well.

 

So begins the journey from bilsteins to ADS. Once I get the rest of my kit on Monday i will be installing the kit next week!! Are there any good writes ups about adjusting the compression? I didn't get a manual or anything with my shocks, If anyone has info on the exact adjustment for the front coil overs that would be awesome as well.

 

I had a couple comments in this thread on an easy way to adjust the coilovers. Its how I did it.

"I sprayed some wd40 on the threads above and below the collar and used a 5/16" pin punch, a 5/8" extended socket over the punch with an extension on the socket to add leverage. Was not too difficult, remember to have the wheels off the ground so that the weight is off of the coils."

 

The 3* shim fixed my vibration but somehow I know my alignment out. My steering wheel is off center now.

 

Did you do this while the coil over was on the truck?

 

Yes, you can adjust while it's on the truck.

Just make sure you lift it and have all weight off the coils before untightening the thread lock and adjusting. Also, wd-40 or penetrating oil works wonders before adjusting to loosen collar thread.

 

Thank you I didn’t know that! Can’t wait to get these installed this week!

 

Loving mine. With lo-pro bumper and winch (135lbs). 7 clicks up from full soft

 

Curious to know what the rears feel like at full soft (do you have Dakars?)

 

Once I get them installed today I’ll give an update on the ride. I have the 700 Springs in the front and full replacement Dakar HD spring pack.

 

Lefty Loosey... turn the dial left (counter clockwise) to set the dampening to 0. This will send the feel of a shock compression all the way up through the cab. This is caddy mode. Old man plush mode. And the mode I drive on some times.

Normally I am between 2 and 5 clicks from 0 for street driving.

Righty Tighty - Clockwise turning of the dial increases compression dampening. At a full 20 clicks, you can hit sizeable rocks at speed. When I spoke to Brian at ADS, he said 7" rocks at 35MPH would be no problem. And they arent. Ive had the compression all the way up and been flying over dirt trails at speed with no drama. I hardly ever run it at full dampening tho.

On the rocky technical trails, I find between 10 and 15 clicks is a good spot.

I would highly suggest you find a piece of trail and try running it at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 clicks to see how it feels on your truck. Dont be afraid to click em and try diff settings.

Mine are all currently set to 2 and i dont slow down for speed bumps... ever.

 

I only got the rears installed today (so I have some extreme rake haha) but from what little driving with I did on the way back from the shop I can already feel a difference from my add a leaf and my bilstein 5160s. The 5160s were jarring and these were better set at 5 clicks. I’ll set them at zero and do more driving but I don’t want to drive too much until I get the front done and then the alignment.

That was extremely helpful and will really help me get mine dialed in to what I’m doing with them. Thank you!!