Position sensing dampers.... Why??

[WuNgUn]

Sounds cool, but... Are they actually active dampers??
So the truck gets suspension position data but what could it possibly use it for if they aren't "active"?

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[Zinn]

It might just be a fancy way of saying progressive springs.

 

[WuNgUn]

It might just be a fancy way of saying progressive springs.

Doesn't have anything to do with the springs... Just the dampers.

 

[Deleted member 3063]

Fox version, position sensitive dampeners.

 

[WuNgUn]

Fox version, position sensitive dampeners.

OH, position SENSITIVE dampers.
My bad

 

[Deleted member 3063]

Bilstein ZoneControl

 

[WuNgUn]

I don't know why I was thinking it used sensors to know the position of the damper. Lol

 

[FLSTFI Dave]

Rather than progressive springs it’s the hydraulic fluid in the shock that gets firmer. This is good shock tech short of magnetic ride. Will slow for a smooth ride until pushed over rough ground.

 

[WuNgUn]

Rather than progressive springs it’s the hydraulic fluid in the shock that gets firmer. This is good shock tech short of magnetic ride. Will slow for a smooth ride until pushed over rough ground.

But does Ford use straight rate springs with these and progressive rate springs on the other dampers?
I've been in some SUV's (cough-Chevy-cough) where it was obvious the springs had MASSIVE rate progression in them. Just horrendous.

 

[Stampede.Offroad]

Sounds cool, but... Are they actually active dampers??
So the truck gets suspension position data but what could it possibly use it for if they aren't "active"?

Jumping.

It's not active, it's position "sensitive". They're just trying to fool you into thinking it's more special than saying "more than one hole".

 

[Bayou_Bronco]

But does Ford use straight rate springs with these and progressive rate springs on the other dampers?
I've been in some SUV's (cough-Chevy-cough) where it was obvious the springs had MASSIVE rate progression in them. Just horrendous.

I can't speak for Ford but most of your off-road suspension like Fox, King and Bilstein use linear rate springs. Usually springs are matched around a shock and with Bilstein sourced coilovers like the 6112s I would suspect these would also be linear. I would prefer this myself because once we know the spring length and rates we can fine tune them for added lift and addition weight.

 

[North7]

I can't speak for Ford but most of your off-road suspension like Fox, King and Bilstein use linear rate springs. Usually springs are matched around a shock and with Bilstein sourced coilovers like the 6112s I would suspect these would also be linear. I would prefer this myself because once we know the spring length and rates we can fine tune them for added lift and addition weight.

Looking the Bronco springs they do appear to be linear.

 

[Bayou_Bronco]

Looking the Bronco springs they do appear to be linear.

Agreed and that makes since. Progressive would suck off-road.

 

[BAUS67]

Another thing to remember is........

Ford did a lot of testing in Jonson Valley and I'm sure they re-valved or fine tuned the shocks a few times to get the balance right. and change in spring rate would change the "tune" of the shocks.


You will see this a lot on race vehicles that use coil overs because one can "tune" the shock, run it, change settings, run it, change again, etc. whereas the factory are what they are.

 

[LemonShark]

I've had just enough wine to make me think I can intelligently contribute to this conversation.

From the two videos, it seems to me the Fox design is simpler and a lot more elegant, whereas the Bilstein version relies on extra bits at the top and bottoms, bits that could break/fail. Oftentimes, simpler is better.

Now, I'm totally talking out my back-side, and I have no real-world experience, but I did just watch those two videos above, sooooo I'm basically a PHD.

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