F3T rear shock needed - will an RT Shock fit?

[jvs04]

Greetings and Happy New Year

Purchased a used 2017 F3T last month. The schraeder valve is missing and the air bladder looks like it was replaced with a large bump stop. I'm pretty sure that when we ride 2-up we are bottomed out on the stop.

The "occasional 2-up F3 Fox shock" won't fit as it doesn't have the spacers on the bottom mount. The RT shock pics I found on the internet looks identical to the F3T stock shock only with beefier and more coils like the 2 up shock.

I am hoping someone with more experience knows whether it will fit or not.

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[RayBJ]

Check with BajaRon or Lamonster. They sell elka upgraded shocks.

 

[Mikey]

From what you're saying, jvs, the last owner had a compressor go and put a bigger spring in the stock shock and called it good! But it's not working for you, right? Like said above call Ron or Lamonster and see what they have to help you out, or you can spend a boat load of money and put it back to stock and trust me it will not hold up as well! Good luck!!

 

[jvs04]

From what you're saying, jvs, the last owner had a compressor go and put a bigger spring in the stock shock and called it good! But it's not working for you, right? Like said above call Ron or Lamonster and see what they have to help you out, or you can spend a boat load of money and put it back to stock and trust me it will not hold up as well! Good luck!!

Thanks for the reply Mikey

My existing shock appears to be stock. So the previous owner just rode it without the compressor. The photos on my thread show the stock F3T shock on the left (gray spring) and a stock RT shock (black spring)

They appear the same but who knows, one might be an inch or two longer than the other. Hoping someone will know if they're interchangeable . (They have different part #'s so I doubt of they are.)

Just trying to avoid a big dollar outlay if I can.

 

[Mikey]

Thanks for the reply Mikey

My existing shock appears to be stock. So the previous owner just rode it without the compressor. The photos on my thread show the stock F3T shock on the left (gray spring) and a stock RT shock (black spring)

They appear the same but who knows, one might be an inch or two longer than the other. Hoping someone will know if they're interchangeable . (They have different part #'s so I doubt of they are.)

Just trying to avoid a big dollar outlay if I can.

It's not just the color you have to look into, it's the length, stroke, and spring rate, how much pressure it takes to drive it. My gut feeling is that the spring in that shock is not the one that came in it to start with! I know when my compressor blew up and I was just riding on the shock, it would bottom out on every bump in the road. If the two shocks are the same length and size, with the same size ends on both ends then you may be in luck, but I can tell you that your ride quality isn't going to be as good as if you just bit the bullet and got yourself an aftermarket shock set-up for your weight and ride style! Those are all the questions their going to ask you if you order one! Good Luck, your bike and your ride!!

 

[Dutchy]

Thanks for the reply Mikey

My existing shock appears to be stock. So the previous owner just rode it without the compressor. The photos on my thread show the stock F3T shock on the left (gray spring) and a stock RT shock (black spring)

They appear the same but who knows, one might be an inch or two longer than the other. Hoping someone will know if they're interchangeable . (They have different part #'s so I doubt of they are.)

Just trying to avoid a big dollar outlay if I can.

Hi Mate greeting from the land down under With you Shock on the right looks like you have two different types of Shocks one having a linear spring rate and the other having a progressive spring rate, Linear does not handle the rough that well where Progressive will in short summary, both linear and progressive springs have their respective advantages and disadvantages. Linear springs offer a predictable and cost-effective ride quality, while progressive springs provide a refined and sophisticated ride experience at a higher cost. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on the vehicle's application, budget, and the desired ride quality.

I just went through the exercise of changing shocks after my front left one decided to leak oil everywhere right when I was going around a hard right corner, so in the end I picked Wilbers and replaced all three, the reason for that choice, is all I read and have seen is that Wilbers does the lot comfort, tour and sport (if you so desire) so I just need one type, as well as a great warranty and reputation.

Then Elka also makes great gear as well, but you need to be aware of what type you want with their stages as for memory I think they make stage 2,3,4 and 5, Baja Ron or Lamonster can help you with that.

By the way I love the Wilbers it has changed how my F3S rides and feels on the road, sorry I cannot help you any more than that.

 

[pauly1]

I have a 2018 F3-T. It is stock with the manually adjusted air bag. I'm also a part swapper.

Several things I understand about an RT (I have never owned one and only test drove a couple of them). They weigh about 100 to 125 pounds more than an F3-T. They, too, have an air bag for load compensation.

General: a change in ride height will affect steering geometry. If the back end is too low, the front wheel alignment will tend to toe-out, creating a "twitchy" handling behavior. If the back end is too high, the steering geometry will toe-in, and while you won't necessarily feel it in handling, it will tend to wear the outside edge of the front tires.

Based on the vehicle weight difference, you may see a marginal improvement in weight capacity on your F3-T, but it should (I haven't tried it) give some improvement. There is currently a range of after-market coil-over shocks available for your ride. I went with Fox with adjustable preload and damping, but you'll get a lot of opinion and argument in favor of another brand.

Coil-over shocks are generic designs, until customization is made for a particular application. BRP has used Sachs as their supplier for stock coil-over applications, while offering Fox as their accessory units. To assess fitment, you would need to know the open and closed length of the shock. In viewing the specs, the RT has 6" of rear travel while the F3-T has 5.2": there is a difference somewhere in the suspension geometry to account for that difference.

 

[jvs04]

Thanks for all the responses. I spoke with one of the site's sponsors. He said that no shock alone (no compressor) will do the job that the shock and compressor was meant to do, particularly with ride height. The remedy is to replace the compressor first, or to replace it with a Schrader valve as some have done. He also stated that all compressors will eventually fail. I was hoping that a different shock would fix the lack of compressor. So I am going to investigate either replacing the compressor or bypassing it with a Schrader valve. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks to all

 

[Mikey]

Thanks for all the responses. I spoke with one of the site's sponsors. He said that no shock alone (no compressor) will do the job that the shock and compressor was meant to do, particularly with ride height. The remedy is to replace the compressor first, or to replace it with a Schrader valve as some have done. He also stated that all compressors will eventually fail. I was hoping that a different shock would fix the lack of compressor. So I am going to investigate either replacing the compressor or bypassing it with a Schrader valve. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks to all

I would go with the Schrader, it's simple, it's easy, it doesn't cost much money to do, and trust me, you will not miss it a bit!! Then look into a good shock for the rear. I have said before, the systems on the rear of our bikes are a great thing when they work as they should, but a piece of junk when they don't. Compressors, like shocks, don't last forever.

 

[Vinkon]

My 2016 F3L has just the schrader valve from the factory. Works well and has less moving parts that can fail.

 

[Mikey]

My 2016 F3L has just the schrader valve from the factory. Works well and has less moving parts that can fail.

I TOTALLY agree with you!!! I have tried to pass that on for years now with people that think they need that compressor to make their bike work as it should. They think they need it, when they really don't at all!

 

[jvs04]

I removed the compressor and added a Schrader valve to the line that is direct to the air bag. It works great and has a very slow leak which I can live with.
Thanks for everyones input.