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Shock relocator for 300/400
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Posted by: forgiven

I know there are tons of threads on this and I tried to look through them but what I am after is someone other than Diamond J that has a relocator. Theirs is nice but I am unsure it is 100 dollars nice. Their was another guy putting them on ebay and said he would sell it for 52 shipped but I don't see him advertising anymore.

Suggestions?

Posted by: WOLFPACK

It doesn't hold up and the geometry is all wrong!

We tried it a while back and it wasn't worth the price on the material.

Shane

Posted by: markvette

i run works shocks built for the 300 with 400 a-arms without using the relocator.

Mark

Posted by: forgiven

I have 400ex shocks already though.

Posted by: don27dog

Are there any other shocks that will fit without using the Diamond J mount. I want to to put +2 arms on my 400ex and figured I would take my stock 400 arms and put on girlfriends 300ex. I don't want to spend a ton of money on her's if possible.

Posted by: TWISTED DINLI

JB ATV Racing has a shock relocator for the 300ex to use Long Travel 400ex shocks and a-arms

Posted by: markvette

ok i know some will argue about this but this is what the engineers at elka and works both told me. using the relocator and 400 shocks messes up the geometry and the shocks are at a bad angle. matter fact i called works to have 400 shocks built for it since my son is sponsored by them. i was told they could build me a shock that did not need the relocator and it was a better choice. they could have just sold me 400ex shocks. actually without the relocator the front end needs a shock that is 14 3/4" long which is the same length as a banshee front shock. dont know if the top and bottom mounts will work on the 300 with the banshee shock but i would guess you could make it work.

Mark

Posted by: markvette

here are 2 pics of my sons 300 with denton plus 2 400ex a-arms and the works shocks

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n246/quaddad1958/100_1747.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n246/quaddad1958/100_1748.jpg

Posted by: TWISTED DINLI

yes... but those are standard travel shocks from what it looks like and to use long travel 400ex shocks you will need to use the shock relocator with Long Travel 400ex a-arms.

Posted by: markvette

yes that is true but you still have the crappy geometry and shock angle using the relocator. i think i will take the word of the engineers at elka and works since they do know what they are talking about.

Mark

Posted by: TWISTED DINLI

quote:
Originally posted by markvette
yes that is true but you still have the crappy geometry and shock angle using the relocator. i think i will take the word of the engineers at elka and works since they do know what they are talking about.

Mark

yes i would to now that i know that.

Posted by: don27dog

Not to be a smartass but by widening the a-arms and using the stock mount aren't you already changing the geometry and shock angle. It would seem to me by moving the mount on a-arm wider and bolting to the existing frame you have made for shock angle steeper..

Posted by: forgiven

Actually that is what the relocator is for. You put the 400ex arms on the 300ex and put the relocator to maintain a similar angle since the mount on the 400 arms is out further than the 300ex. Some say it is great and others say it sucks. I am one relocator bracket away from completion so I will try it and judge for myself since I am so close. It doesn't have to be perfect...just not ride like crap.

Posted by: markvette

i read all i could on this subject before i purchased my sons shocks. i know there are people on here that swear by the relocator and say its the best thing since sliced bread. i know by tomorrow many more will post and tell all about how the number 2 rider in the nationals runs a relocator. i still stand by what i said. when all these people show me their engineer degrees maybe i will take their word over the engineers at elka and works. we are not engineers, just because we think something will work dont mean it will. as i stated when i built my sons 300 i was ready to put 400 shocks and the relocator on it till i spoke with sandy at works. so far he has built my son 3 sets of shocks, 2 sets for a mini quad and the 300's and they all have worked great. i will be ordering new black widows for our hybrid soon from him. actually the relocator is a must for the 300 with 400 shocks because they are way to long. dont really think it was built to do anything for the geometry. i am done, this is an argument i have seen go on and on before so i will run ours the way it is and others can do as they think is best for them. good luck which ever way you go.

Mark

Mark

Posted by: forgiven

Certainly not trying to argue. Just stating I am too far into the project to at least not try it. I have the A-arms, spindles, shocks, EVERYTHING on except the relocator (forgot to purchase) so all I was saying is...I might as well...it may not be perfect, but it may be decent.

Certainly not trying to argue

Posted by: markvette

sorry i know you were not trying to argue i just know there will be ones that will want to and i like you dont want to argue just trying to post info that i hope will help others. i like you would use what i have, we just happen to have works as a sponsor so the shocks did not cost us a arm and a leg

Posted by: forgiven

I ordered the JB racing relocator. I talked with them for a while and ensured me it would work well. We shall see.

Posted by: forgiven

Seems to work decent minus the fact that my caster/camber is way off. Now I have to figure out how to get some adjustable ball joints in there...argh.

Posted by: 300exOH

86/87 250R a arms will work and they have adjustable ball joints and are camber adjustable. Your caster shouldn't be an issue since it is non- adjustable on either set of arms.

markvette- The upright position of the shocks aren't a problem with the shock mount bracket as long as the shocks are set up correctly. The geometry problems aren't because of the shocks... it is because of the 400ex/250r a arms. They mess up the camber and also the relationship between the tie rod mounting on the steering stem flag and the mounting point on the spindles. 400ex spindles help but they don't completely cure the problem either.

I have 300ex burgard +2+1 arms, shock mount bracket and 400ex length elkas and I can tell you that the setup works MUCH better than the 250r/400ex a arms with custom length works(no bracket) that I had before.

Posted by: Dirtblast

What length shock is used for the 300ex using +2 or +3 400ex LT a-arms with shock bracket?

Posted by: 300exOH

quote:
Originally posted by Dirtblast
What length shock is used for the 300ex using +2 or +3 400ex LT a-arms with shock bracket?

You should be able to use the same length shocks as a 400ex LT setup...

Posted by: Dirtblast

What length would 400ex LT shocks be. Would that all depend on what a-arms you have?

Posted by: 300exOH

quote:
Originally posted by Dirtblast
What length would 400ex LT shocks be. Would that all depend on what a-arms you have?

I'm not exactly sure on the length...I'm think it's either 16" or 16.5" but you would have to search for the right info on that. I'm pretty sure all LT 400ex shocks are the same length though but the valving/spring rates may be different depending on what a arms you have.

Posted by: WildWestRacing

Gus,
We use 19.5 inch Fox evols with our Gibson front end with a relocator.

Long travel shock lengths vary between a-arm manufacures. Check out Fox's application guide on their website.

This front end works great. We have used a relocator for over two years now with no issues with two different front ends. We personally think its a "must have" for racing at the National level.

[IMG][IMG]http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o71/westmxracing/Joshracepicsand300pics010.jpg[/IMG]

Posted by: isaac24

Does anyone know if you could mix the 250r upper a arms with the 400 lower a arms i already have the 400 a arms but like many others the caster is off. Because im in school i don't have much money would this work?

Posted by: GrowinupMX

Bill, you are going the rite way with that frontend setup. You should put on 400ex spindles now. The 250r and 400ex LT a arms and relocator should use a 19-19.25 length shock. With out the relocator you can not get a long enough shock to run MX at the national level. I guess Works and Elka needs to tell the top 5 in WPSA and ATVA their front end does not work. Those kids are as fast or faster than many B riders on 450s and will out jump them with setups that dont work.. What the national kids run works period.

Posted by: WildWestRacing

I tried the 400ex spindles and could not get the correct camber and castor adjustment. I believe part of the problem is because our frame is tweaked a little bit on the right side. I was able to get the left side dialed in just fine.

We are preparing a new frame for this season and I will try the 400ex spindles again.

Another problem you encounter with the 400ex spindles is you loose alot of your turning radius with a stock stem.

Bill

Posted by: national #9

KOQ RACING has a relocator bracket to go with their 300 EX +4 long travel kit, it uses 19 inch shocks, and gives 11+ inches of travel, I saw a set in ohio, last week, on a quad that had their long travel swing arm kit also, and it looked like it worked great. I understand they are having their spring specials now, so you should be able to get one at a good price. you can call them at 616-363-1215