P500 p500 shock upgrades

[idiggplants]

So, I'm no expert on the P5s by any means but.....adding a "lift" and suspension travel are 2 different things. From what I've read from you posting here, seems you're associating one with the other. A lift will give you added clearance, whether under belly or wheel well, it's just a clearance issue. You're wanting to add suspension/wheel travel but unless you modify either the a-arms/mounts/axles AND shocks...... So like hot shot trigger mentioned, your stock set up will always be limited to your current design, mainly because of the CV.

I think you should find someone near you/local with a P5 and upgraded shocks and ask to take a ride. Like everyone that's upgraded shocks has mentioned, you'd be surprised at the overall difference.

Thanks for the response. So I get that a lift and suspension travel are different. the only reason I'm mentioning the lift portion of things is that if a lift(bracket style) is possible, then the increased a arm/cv travel is possible, then shocks with increased travel would be an option. But it seems like the lift may not possible with these machines, which is pretty much shutting down the idea of shocks with increased travel, unless more travel in the upward direction is an option.

 

[Admin]

 

[JenElio]

Thanks for the response. So I get that a lift and suspension travel are different. the only reason I'm mentioning the lift portion of things is that if a lift(bracket style) is possible, then the increased a arm/cv travel is possible, then shocks with increased travel would be an option. But it seems like the lift may not possible with these machines, which is pretty much shutting down the idea of shocks with increased travel, unless more travel in the upward direction is an option.

A bracket lifts relocates the shock mounts, therefore gaining height but maintaining same shock travel.....in theory. Problem with most bracket lifts is that by relocating the shock mounts it phucks with the suspension geometry and usually causes a more rough ride. As far as gaining up travel, might be possible but you'd probably have to relocate the upper shock mounts higher to compensate for the longer shocks then most likely have to add limiting straps to prevent CV damage. Like I said I'm not too familiar with the P5s to know if there's room for it or not. But, with enough time and money almost anything is possible.

 

[MiniRF]

All sorts. I started as a landscape architect/horticulture degree before going into civil engineering. I'm just pretty much a fan of the outdoors and forest and environment. Forest ecology will always be my true passion that I could never make an actual living off of. Instead I hunt and fish and ATV and hike and volunteer.

As for the mary jane... Meh. Not really a fan, but I'm not against it. Kind of bummed I missed the legal stage of things when I was younger because I probably would have enjoyed the horticulture side of it.

pretty sure those poppi's are not the ones used to produce opioids, but they are pretty at least. Annuals(and herbaceous plants in general) are probably the types of plants I'm least into. Woody plants, shrubs, trees and such are more my thing.

Interesting stuff. As for the poppies not being the right ones, I would honestly have no idea 🤷‍♀️😂

 

[The Green Goat]

A couple thoughts:

1. Have you ridden a p5 with upgraded shocks? If not, find one and try it out. Again, I think you might be surprised.

2. If you're thinking about raising the p5 up in the air any amount to facilitate this project, the thing is going to be tippy AF. The general rule is that if you go up, then you should also go out. And if that's the case, you might as well add on a long travel kit if that's what you're after. That upgraded travel will do you no good if you're laid over on your side all the time.

 

[Splorin]

I’ve got the Perfex and WE’s. Maybe an inch lift. Rear reposition stiffened it enough that I took springs to full soft. With loaded recovery box the ride’s better than unfrieghted. 99% won’t need it. Time will tell with CVs. I live on a 64” trail and see the highzoot rigs go by and chuckle to myself. They just ride the ‘dirt highways’. The 50s around here have only my tracks. “I don’t go down those goat paths” they’ll say. I shoulda built on a 50”………

 

[JWB]

Someone else beat me to the youtube of the 1000 sportsman shocks.. That's way more extreme than I want to go, and also requires shock mounts to be moved, and to be honest, I'd worry about over 2" of lift, plus sag on top of that beign rough on the cv joints.

I've also heard a few random shocks that people have put on including ebay cheapy shocks, and some sort of grizzly shock...

But here is the one that really has me interested.

P500 - p5 suspension

hmmmmm i wonder lol Please explain your concern. Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

hondasxs.com

They are air shocks, and the guy gets a boatload of travel with stock a arms. Here is another thread about it.

P500 - P-500 Air Suspension Mod- JWB Mod

Started this thread to put all the data, info, experiences, recommendations, etc., to install the Gabriel Hi-jackers(Part #49304) or AC Delco air ride shocks (Part #504557) to completely replace the stock P-500 shocks. The least expensive, and simplest version of this set up, is to just replace...

hondasxs.com

Again, you need to move the sock mounts, but the point is that the actual travel of the suspension can handle more movement, particularly sag, but also compression, depending on tire size. The only reason the mounts are moved in these situations is because people are using misc shocks with different spring rates and incorrect travel lengths. If you could get a shock built specifically with the right preload/travel/mount size, you should be able to get the same effect out of the factory mounts.

P500 - p5 suspension

well I just ordered a set of front shock for a different machine to see if I can fit them on the 500 I didn't order the rears yet incase I need to return them just make less of a headache I wont give any details yet on which machine they are for until I see if they work or wont or what mods...

hondasxs.com

 

[JWB]

If that's the case, then I can see why increased droop would not be an option. The fb groups definitely have a lot of people with lifts, but I'd consider the fb groups in general not good sources of... Well... Anything. Is there similar concern with increased upward travel, outside of tires rubbing?

If you look at the air suspension mod thread, the issue with added travel is the control arm mounts are not intended to travel much further than stock, due to the 'teeth' on the ends of the bushings that will start to eat their way through the mount tabs. If this is modified, the control arms will travel happily to about- if I remember correctly, up to 13" of total travel, and after 3000+ miles on my machine with the added travel, I never had a cv joint issue due to the extra travel. I believe/suspect that any aftermarket bolt in replacement is designed to not cause the problem with the bushings and tabs for obvious reasons. I sold my P-500 to a friend who still uses the machine with the air suspension just as I built it in 2017. He did move the rear mounts to increase load carrying ability after he built and mounted a custom dump bed. If you look at the travel parameters of the air shocks, they just happen to max out the available travel of the stock control arms. So, If you could find an appropriate strut to mimic the travel limitations, spring rate and appropriate valving...... The air suspension allowed incredible articulation, and much better control and ride than the stock shocks, but still pretty much rides like sh*t.

 

[lee]

I wonder if raising the ride height of a p500 would make it too tippy?
And what would define too tippy?

The problem with more travel is the outer CV angle on the right front axle.
Could you extend the suspension travel and have it live for a minute - sure.
Would it be "no problem" - oh hell no.

But hey I'm no expert.
I probably would give it 5.9" of travel and some bold new graphics and call it good.

 

[JWB]

I wonder if raising the ride height of a p500 would make it too tippy?
And what would define too tippy?

The problem with more travel is the outer CV angle on the right front axle.
Could you extend the suspension travel and have it live for a minute - sure.
Would it be "no problem" - oh hell no.

But hey I'm no expert.
I probably would give it 5.9" of travel and some bold new graphics and call it good.

Never had a CV joint issue with this for 3000+ miles. The obstacle is about 26" tall. I never tipped the machine over, but, the tires are heavy, and the skid plates are made of 5/16" diamond plate aluminum- much heavier than stock, and covers the entire bottom of the machine. It all added up to getting about 200 additional lbs as low as possible over the stock stuff, and no wheel spacers, but the overall width increased by about 2"