fAlcon
PHILOSOPHY
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
“High-Value Performance” is the driving force behind our new vehicle-specific Falcon shocks for Jeeps, trucks, and SUVs. All our systems are tuned for the vehicle’s intended function. That’s why we took a different approach for our truck and SUV shock absorber systems than we did with our Jeep Wrangler shocks.
Where our Jeep shocks are designed to match our lift coil springs, our truck and SUV systems are tuned to work with the factory linear rate coil springs and rear leaf springs (where applicable).
Unlike other companies that just build replacement shocks with revised valving, we engineer complete shock absorber systems that improve the overall performance of your vehicle while retaining many of the factory suspensions pieces.
This ensures that you only pay for what is required and nothing more. All Falcon shock absorbers provide extremely predictable handling through carefully tuned compression and rebound.
TUNING PHILOSOPHY
All our Jeep shock absorbers and truck/SUV shock absorber systems are tuned for comfort with predictive handling, control, and stability on road and through the canyons as well as controlled steering during off-road driving on washboard roads, through whoops, and over rocks.
Vehicle dynamics must be considered when tuning the suspension to ensure predictable handling and a smooth ride. This includes optimizing suspension geometry as well as matching the shock’s compression and rebound to the spring rate.
Initial tuning begins by driving each vehicle on and off road for two days to set a baseline. Then we daily drive each vehicle for four weeks to look for “holes” in performance. After taking careful notes, we adjust the tuning and test for two more days. We evaluate the revised tune for four more weeks.
Each shock absorber system requires 2-6 months of testing and tuning before meeting our performance targets. Our in-house engineers have invested hundreds of hours in shock tuning to deliver optimal results that can be felt in a “seat-of-the-pants” experience.
VOD
VOLUME OPTIMIZED DAMPING
Falcon’s proprietary Volume Optimized Damping (VOD) features a digressive linear valve to improve vehicle feedback, stability, and control during low-speed, high-speed, and off-road driving. As the piston compresses and rebounds, the valve restricts oil flow creating a damping effect.
VOD’s quicker ramp up increases damping volume during low speed driving as well as reduces shock bottoming at full compression during faster speeds or over uneven terrain.
Traditional velocity sensitive shock absorbers react quickly during low-speed driving causing excessive “head toss” on rough terrain – or even driveways. Conventional damping then firms up during faster shaft speeds resulting in a jarring ride.
With Volume Optimized Damping, stability and control are maintained throughout all driving conditions.
ZRT
ZONE RATE TUNING
Zone Rate Tuning (ZRT), found in our Truck/SUV shocks, manipulates the factory linear-rate spring tuning to produce three distinct performance zones with a more exaggerated spring curve to tackle various driving conditions.
An internal negative-rate spring offsets the factory spring’s preload while in the Extension Zone. This eliminates top out clunk and shock stress at full extension, while softening tire landing and reducing body roll on impact during aggressive driving.
The factory spring rate is unaffected in Drive Zone for a comfortable and controlled ride. The included progressive microcellular “foam” bump stop retunes the spring rate in the Compression Zone to reduce bottoming and body roll during aggressive driving.
ASSEMBLED IN-HOUSE
Falcon Shocks are proudly designed, engineered, and assembled with domestic and globally sourced, and assembled with domestic and globally sourced components at the Falcon manufacturing facility in West Jordan, Utah.
Manufacturing our Falcon shock assembly fixtures in house ensures high quality and consistent shock production to our strict tolerances and specs including precise installation of sensitive seals and seal surfaces resulting in a high-quality, trouble-free product.
Our dedicated Falcon Shocks facility features state-of-the-art precision CNC (computer numerical control) equipment ran by highly trained and dedicated machinists enabling precise computerized machining of shock components.
Enhancements found in every Falcon shock include a 2.25” diameter 6061-T6 aluminum alloy shock body, 3/4” induction hardened chrome plated shaft, hard-anodized pistons, and more. These features provide dependable performance worthy of the Falcon Shocks name.