Falcon SP2 3.3 Adjustment

[Kristian13]

I ran SP2 3.3's on my JTR for 2 years. They were set in SOFT mode from day 1. I never tried PERFORMANCE. It's as easy as removing the lower shock bolt and twisting the shaft 360 degrees if you want to play.

With Clayton springs these shocks never left "1" on the dial. Very firm springs and very firm shocks IMO and turning up the dial on the Falcons just made things even more harsh. I then switched to Synergy Mfg springs and the Falcons became usable. I only ever played between setting "1" and about "2.6" on the dial. I'd ride around on "1" at all times until we loaded up for camping then I'd go "2.1" in the front and about "2.4" in the rear. My biggest gripe with the Falcons was small bump compliance. I felt like potholes on road and washboard off road were just jarring hits (even on "1"). I just put Fox 2.5 Elite's on last weekend and I hope to have a better idea if my thoughts on the Falcon's being too firm was just in my head or a reality.

Let’s hear what you think of the 2.5 in comparison to the 3.3s.. What’s your best option on the two?

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[darkhorse13]

Let’s hear what you think of the 2.5 in comparison to the 3.3s.. What’s your best option on the two?

The Fox 2.5's have much better small bump compliance and are less harsh when paired with even a firm spring. They suit my driving needs better than the Falcon 3.3s for daily terrain. I think it takes a fair amount of low speed compression adjustment for the Fox 2.5's off road to combat the side to side head sway.. (i.e. like 6-8 clicks for my preference)

 

[Kristian13]

The Fox 2.5's have much better small bump compliance and are less harsh when paired with even a firm spring. They suit my driving needs better than the Falcon 3.3s for daily terrain. I think it takes a fair amount of low speed compression adjustment for the Fox 2.5's off road to combat the side to side head sway.. (i.e. like 6-8 clicks for my preference)

Good to hear, so in your opinion they are worth the 1k more than the Falcons?

 

[darkhorse13]

Good to hear, so in your opinion they are worth the 1k more than the Falcons?

I personally like them more but ride quality is very subjective and not sure how you might "wheel". Plus, pairing a shock with specific spring will also yield wildly different results. Please take all of this into account.

 

[Kristian13]

I personally like them more but ride quality is very subjective and not sure how you might "wheel". Plus, pairing a shock with specific spring will also yield wildly different results. Please take all of this into account.

More overland than anything, I would be paring them with Clayton.

 

[darkhorse13]

More overland than anything, I would be paring them with Clayton.

Ok, well from personal experience (as you've read) Clayton + Falcon 3.3 = very firm ride in my opinion. Other people like it though. Do a search on either Falcon 3.3 or Clayton springs to read a bunch of threads... that is my only advice either way Have fun with your Jeep!!!

 

[hjdca]

Ok, well from personal experience (as you've read) Clayton + Falcon 3.3 = very firm ride in my opinion. Other people like it though. Do a search on either Falcon 3.3 or Clayton springs to read a bunch of threads... that is my only advice either way Have fun with your Jeep!!!

I have been running Clayton 3.5 inch kit and Falcon SP2 3.3 for 46K miles with a winch up front. A few points to help you with your decision based on my experience.

1. The Falcon shocks have been bullet proof. No issues whatsoever.

2. The Falcon shocks are still behaving like they did when new. So, no rebuild needed in the foreseeable future.

3. I have run 2 sets of 37" tires with 17 inch rims with this suspension. These types of tires soak up lots of little bumps, so, take that into account.

4. The shocks are great in the wind on the road, and with sway 4wheeling. I run them with the SP2 on soft/cold, and the dial on 2.1 offroad and 2.4 to 2.7 on the road depending on weather and wind. The shocks are softer in hot weather - due to the viscosity variance of the fluid. If you DO NOT have an overland rig with a heavy loaded bed and RTT, I would for sure be running with SP2 on soft/cold, and the dial somewhere between 2.3 to 2.7 on the road.

5. I really like the shocks in the "rock gardens" because they are great at controlling sway. I hate when my head sways around during rock wheeling.

6. I do not think the Falcons are "stiff" on the road, but, like I said, I run lots of sidewall, and the roads around me are pretty smooth.

7. I run a rear rock Jock anti-rock sway bar with the normal bar (not heavy duty), and paired with the falcons in the rear, it seems like an ideal setup for me. Bed has Fridge, battery, molle panels, tools, hard tonneau cover. Rear Articulation off-road is class leading because the rear Falcon shocks are a long 32 inches. Most rear shocks are not that long.

8. I would buy them again. Each individual setting can be felt in the cab, they are super robust, I like how they stablize the truck on the road. I like how they do not sway while 4wheeling. I am impressed on how robust they are.

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