Upgrade Shocks
 

So I've been thinking about replacing my truck's suspenders, and I was wondering what would be good replacements. I know I want to go with threaded aluminum bodies, but that's about the extent of my requirements.

I've heard the Powerstrokes are a good, effective system, but a bit on the heavy side.

I like the looks of the MSR5s, but I've read that the reservoirs don't really seem to do much.

What do you guys run and what are the pros and cons?

I have the MSR5s and yes they do look great. I havent had the chance to run yet.

Both shock sets are very good. The Prolines are high tech and, as stated, are a little heavy. The Integy shocks are the best looking in my opinion, as well as being extremely smooth. the purpose of the piggy back is to add extra oil volume. This keeps the shock oil temperature cooler (heat sinks on the piggy backs help, too), and therefore keeps the dampening action more consistent as well. as the piston travels up and down inside the shock, the friction causes heat. Like most liquids, the shock oil will get thinner as it heats up, and the piggy backs help minimize the effects of this.

There are also several other shocks that work well, too. I have the Traxxas big bores on a couple trucks and find them to be a good shock as well (although they don't look as nice as some of the others).

I think I'm leaning towards the MSR5s. Seems to be a good bang for your buck -- not as expensive as the Powerstrokes and lighter, a little more than the big bores but threaded and MUCH better looking. After all, you ain't got a thing, if you ain't got the bling! :cool:

Here are a couple MSR5-specific questions:
Do they use the same spring size as the stock shocks? I just bought some dual-rates (3#-7#) that I would like to keep.
I only saw the silver shocks listed. Can you get any of the colored MSR5s, like red?

The springs are the same as the stockers, so pretty much any maxx shock spring will work. I can get them in any color offered (same goes for all the Integy parts). I usually carry silver and blue, but I see a few folks here like the red stuff, so I will pick some up.

the msr5 shocks are great, i got them yesterday filled em up with oil, and they work great, i only ran for 3 mins, it started to rain after. :(

i hear the integy piggy back is non-functional?

don't the powerstrokes hold more fluid than the integys?

the powerstrokes are only $20 (they cost $118) more at my lhs.

i also have heard and seen that the integys look great, but bend way to easily.

just thought i'd throw my opinion/experience in the mix.

The piggy backs ARE fully functional. The msr5 shocks also have 3.5mm shafts (same size as 1/8 buggy and powerstroke), so they are pretty tough. I don't know for sure which holds more fluid, but they are pretty close.

alright, just checking. I heard that the resivoirs arn't fully functional, but i'd believe you over them

I still actually see alot of people bending those integys (picture proof) though they are 3.5mm thick. the proline shocks use that same thickness as well. But integy produces products by cast, giving a weaker sorta finished product, that is inconsistant in strength. That i do know.

I'd say go with the proline if you have the extra twenty bucks, they give you a very cool duel rate spring set as well.

Cast is definately not as strong as machined. I haven't tried the prolines myself, but I haven't heard anything but positive stuff on them. The piggy backs are for sure functional (and somewhat of a pain to build because of it). The Associated piggy backs on the MGT, on the other hand, are purely cosmetic.

ic what you mean, proline shocks has only been out for about 2-3 months. I have mine and i couldn't be any happier. I'll post pics of them sooner or later.

A few of my racing buddies use the prolines and love them.

the integy shocks are durabal, i actually took a pretty hard hit near my front left shock and it looks just like it came out of the box, the piggyback helps and holds alot more oil than stock.

Well as it turned out, economics made the decision for me in the end. I saw a listing in eBay for the Proline Powerstroke Shock Set for $99. I figured that was too good a deal to pass up, especially since it sounds like you can't go wrong with either the Powerstrokes or the MSR5s.

Guess I'm gonna have to make up for the lower bling factor elsewhere! :p

Thanks for all the input! And don't worry, Mike -- you'll be getting my order for the brushless motor and ESC when the time comes. :)

No worries! :)