Team Associated Shocks

Benefit: Makes your suspension much more consistent.
Part Number For The Shocks: Associated Part #1600
Total Shock Assembly Time: 45 Minutes Including Trimming The Plastic Pieces.
Total Install Time: 50 Minutes Including Removal Of Old Shocks And The Install Of
The Stock Springs

First Impressions: When I took my first look at the shocks I figured that they would
be a high quality well engineered product. The blue anodized shock bodies are more than
just eye candy. The aluminum makes for great consistency in shock action. I was very
disappointed to see plastic shock caps instead of aluminum caps. The plastic caps seem
to be made of some good stuff, but for the price, aluminum should have been there and not
plastic. I was also unhappy with the blue springs included. These springs seem way to weak.
The shock shafts look nice and beefy and should be a fair deal stronger that the stock shock
shafts. The instructions are great except they don't tell you what pistons (labeled 1 - 3) do what. 

Assembly: These shocks go together very easy. The instructions to a good job of telling
what goes where. The only real problem that I encountered was the lack of piston info.
I used the #3 pistons which have the smallest holes in them. The #1 piston has the largest
holes. I also didn't use the supplied shock oil. I used some Trinity 40wt Silicone oil. I didn't
bleed the shocks like the instructions say to, I instead used the bleeding technique in the general
tip section of this site (click here for the tip).

Installation: This is the part that got me at first. My package did not have a complete set
of instructions. I called Associated and they assured me that my package was a one in a million
screw up. Once I had the proper instructions, assembly was a breeze. I did end up tearing my
stock shocks down for the shock springs, but it was only a minor deal. 

Performance: Best thing about these shocks is how they perform. I don't like the supplied blue
springs because they are so soft. Associated says they feel that the T-Maxx is to top heavy and the
softer springs help if off road. That may be the case, but in my honest opinion, they just let the skids drag
on the ground. To fix the problem I did end up using the stock T-Maxx springs, but the shock action was
superb. The action is much more consistent giving more control and way less body roll. Landing long tall
jumps seems to be way more stable with much less bounce. I have noticed that these shocks seem
to help the bottoming out on the lands (with stock springs) as well. The on road testing revealed that
a T-Maxx can corner with some speed. I have had much less time on my top with much higher cornering
speeds since I installed these shocks. My wheelies are more stable with these shocks and my overall
monster trucking (running things down like the full size monster trucks) performance has increased thanks
to the consistency of the shock action. My overall performance experience was great (with the stock T-Maxx
springs. The blue springs included just suck and are not well suited for the truck). 

Likes: With those blue anodized bodies, the eye candy is a 100% full force
swat to your attention. Associated has made a shock that is for more than just looks
though. These shocks perform with ungodly consistency and are a 200000% increase
in performance over the stock shocks. These shocks will go the distance no matter
what your driving style is. 

Dislikes: As with most things in life, there are things to dislike. The least that Associated
could have done was include aluminum caps with the shocks. The plastic ones work
fine, but aluminum would have been much better. The lack of information on what the
different pistons do could through a newbie way off course in the setup of the shocks. One
thing I don't like about the install is how the shocks are on an angle. It don't really seem to hinder
the performance. I just have this thing with straight lines for some reaosn. Last on
my list of complaints is the fact that the included springs have about enough strength to hold
the tires up when your on your lid. If you want to use springs that actually work, use your stock
springs or spend another $10 on stiffer Associated springs.  

Comments: I want to include a little info on using the stock springs. You will need to use the
Associated upper spring seats followed by the stock T-Maxx seats then the stock spring finished
off with the stock T-Maxx lower spring seat. The lower seat it a tight fit but it does work. My driving
style requires a hard spring. I have added the thickest Associated spring spacer to all 8 shocks. This
set up is completely killer for me. If any of you read my first posted review you will notice that this
updated review is MUCH different. This is because the lack of instructions made me think that the
shocks needs a modified install. This is NOT the case and I have rewritten this review to be 100% fair to this
great product. I also want to add that I have had some leakage around the bottom of all 8 of the shocks. Its
not like they have leaked dry, but they have leaked enough to notice. Even though the Associated shocks
have some flaws, the performance is killer and I would recommend this product to anyone looking fo
a better shock solution.

 Update: If you take a look at the top of the page at the new pics you will notice that I am now
using a new spring set up. This set up is as follows. The rear shocks now have 2 springs per
shock. I bought the Associated red springs and decided to put them inside the red Traxxas
springs. I then used the upper Associated spring seat, the upper Traxxas seat, the springs
and finish it off with the lower Traxxas spring seat (no spacers). Up front I use 2 (out of the 4) shocks
with the Associated blue springs and the thickest, next thickest, next thickest, and the next thickest
spacers on those shocks. The other 2 front shocks get the Associated blues
springs inside of the Traxxas red springs with the thickest spacer. The performance is almost
perfect for me this way. The only real problem I have is that the rear is somewhat bouncy.
I might switch 2 of the Associated red srpings with blue springs to reduce the spring tension
and hopefully eliminate the bounce. Just thought I would clear things up with the pics.