Shock temps

[Tooltime19]

This is probably going in a bit deep, but a valid question none the less. Where I live and play, I like to run some fast powerline roads and sandy silty washes. Also when possible I can run some of the famous Mint 400 off road race course. Many roads consist of shock killing rollers and dips. I do not jump my truck, but I use every bit of available wheel travel while trying to not kill my rig. For those who are familiar with the type of running I like, know that shock temps can get up high during a day of fun in the deserts.
With my Bilsteins, I have had temps in the mid 200 degree range. I am also curious if anyone else is paying attention to their setups like me. Im curious what temp ranges are acceptable and what high temps have on the shocks. I could just call Bilstein, but I thought I would get some feedback from other desert dwellers like myself. :driving:

 

[ebg18t]

I don't think many people have checked their shock temp. In reality I don't think most people ever think about the overheating of shocks. I remember unknowingly overheating my shocks for the first time on my Land Rover. It was amazing how quick it happened and how much control I lost once the shock oil was cooked and foamed. I didn't have a pyrometer with me so no temps.

That was the first time I had ever done that and I didn't believe it it till one of the guys in the group I was running with showed me when he poured some water from his bottle on the shock and it sizzled. Those shocks were never the same after they cooled, in reality not surprising since the oil was probably cooked. After that I moved to Fox with separate resivoirs.

Now that I learned my lesson I suggest to folks running the desert to look at larger volume shocks.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

How are you measuring temperatures?

 

[Tooltime19]

Ultimately I plan to run the Fox coilovers w/resi's in the front and the Fox resi's in the rear. Or even Kings would work. The current package I have came by the way of happenstance. I like the spring rates of the coils I currently have. The compression rates of the 5100's works surprisingly well with the coils I have, but the rebound rates are way off. But hey, as I look at it, for being off the shelf stuff, its a very good package no matter what terrain Im running. But yes, higher quality, valving adjustable, resi shocks are in the future.