Falcon 3 Shocks - Hard as a brick?

[zonearc]

I picked up a JL that has a metalcloak long arm kit, their coils, and has the Falcon 3 shocks w/ adjusters on it. I've used a lot of other kits on JTs, JKs, TJs, etc in the past and I've never had anything ride this stiff before in my life. A buddy of mine owns a Jeep shop nearby and runs the Clayton coils (which supposedly run the same spring rate) but runs the adjustable Fox 2.5s on his shop JL and his rides WAY softer, so I'm pointing my finger at these Falcons. I've tried 1-3 setting and 1, as advertised in the user manual, is softest. But, its still stiff, and I'm unimpressed by how it responds to the road.

Does anyone else have a similar experience? Is there anything you can do (complain and get them to tune it softer) or did you switch shocks and find something better?

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[dpike]

I had a set of falcons for a bit, they were way too stiff for my liking. I have adjustable ranchos now and they're much softer. I was cautioned how stiff the falcons would be with Clayton springs but thought I knew what I was doing.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I have brand new Falcon 3.3s and in the past week, I have driven about 1,000 miles on the highway and close to 150 miles off road including 4 BOH trails. They seem perfect to me. I run 1 offroad and 2.1 on road.

This is on a 392 with a Teraflex RT3 and 37s. I don't think I could ask for a better ride.

 

[RicRecon]

I’ve had my 3.3s on my 21 JLURD for about 5k now and I’m happy with the ride. Though I can definitely see why others would think they’re too stiff. being that mine is heavier with the diesel i think helps a lot. They really shine when I’m packed for a trip and towing my small off-road trailer. I typically run 2.1 on road and 1 setting off.

 

[zonearc]

For those of you who like the Falcons, Do you have the SP2 Mode in Soft or Performance?



In my case, I do a little bit of everything. My JL is a 392 and so I'll fly down backroads, drive on smooth highways, rock crawl, play in the sand, etc.

 

[c20040215]

For those of you who like the Falcons, Do you have the SP2 Mode in Soft or Performance?

Soft.
Its not for everyone for sure.

 

[KHR Racing]

3.3’s are da bomb….. all kinds of adjustments on them. From crazy soft to go kart suspension.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

For those of you who like the Falcons, Do you have the SP2 Mode in Soft or Performance?



In my case, I do a little bit of everything. My JL is a 392 and so I'll fly down backroads, drive on smooth highways, rock crawl, play in the sand, etc.

I just assume that mine are in the soft mode but I need to confirm with the shop. Whatever they are in, they are perfect. Worth mentioning, is that I come from a long history of lowered sports cand and SUVs so my smooth may not be for everyone but I would say they are smoother than it was stock.

 

[At Risk Ute]

Have 3.3s on my two door and hard setting is definitely bumpy around town.

Went with 3.1s (guess it’s the medium setting) on my 392. Didn’t find the adjustability was worth the extra money. Same with their adjustable stab. YMMV.

 

[Apples491]

I have the aDapt Falcons (3.5?) with Clayton springs and run them on the 2 setting with the the SP2 on soft. The aDapt will switch between full soft and my running setting on the fly. The only time it feels rough is when I'm going over rough road where the aDapt system can't compensate fast enough. Though I suppose it says something that to get a generally comfortable ride I'm alternating between the lowest 2 settings out of 6.

Also, I've actually heard the Clayton springs are stiffer than most, with JKS being generally softer than most. I've contemplated swapping them out but the Jeep drives well enough for me right now.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Have 3.3s on my two door and hard setting is definitely bumpy around town.

Went with 3.1s (guess it’s the medium setting) on my 392. Didn’t find the adjustability was worth the extra money. Same with their adjustable stab. YMMV.

Interesting but I could see how I would be fine just staying on 1 and being fine.

 

[sl65racer]

I have the Falcon SP2 3.3s with the Clayton overland kit. They took 500 miles or so to settle in. The 1 setting is nicely compliant for crawling. I use 2.4 for driving country roads and 3 for long distance freeway driving. There is a noticeable change in the settings. 3 is sports car stiff. I don’t carry a rack or anything heavy in the bed other than the spare tire. I suspect with a decent load 3 would feel more compliant.

 

[At Risk Ute]

Interesting but I could see how I would be fine just staying on 1 and being fine.

Definitely. Also came from sports cars where I’d upgrade the suspension to turn faster.

My toy store has a good relationship with Teraflex which is why I went with Falcons over Fox.

 

[Maverick909]

most people dont realize the falcon shocks have winter and summer adjustment by spinning the lower mount clockwise or CCW I dont remember which way does what. I have ran my falcon 3.3 adjustable shocks with my HD coil rate from JKS. I tend to run unloaded on road with 2.2 or 2.3 setting and when fully loaded with camp gear and tools at 2.5-2.7. Off-road i always set it to 1 and disconnect sway bar end links

 

[chrisc33]

I picked up a JL that has a metalcloak long arm kit, their coils, and has the Falcon 3 shocks w/ adjusters on it. I've used a lot of other kits on JTs, JKs, TJs, etc in the past and I've never had anything ride this stiff before in my life. A buddy of mine owns a Jeep shop nearby and runs the Clayton coils (which supposedly run the same spring rate) but runs the adjustable Fox 2.5s on his shop JL and his rides WAY softer, so I'm pointing my finger at these Falcons. I've tried 1-3 setting and 1, as advertised in the user manual, is softest. But, its still stiff, and I'm unimpressed by how it responds to the road.

Does anyone else have a similar experience? Is there anything you can do (complain and get them to tune it softer) or did you switch shocks and find something better?

I have similar results. MC lift 3.5, armor, winch, diesel on 40s and 35k miles later, these 3.5 Adapt shocks are still stiff as a rock. I feel every imperfection on the road and it doesnt matter what mode I throw them in the ride is uncomfortable unless I air WAY down. I rode in a jeep similar to mine with fox 2.5s and it was night and day. Ill be switching them out soon.

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