When it comes to setting up your off-road or rock crawling vehicle, suspension is everything. Two of the most popular upgrade options on the trail are ORI struts and coilover shocks, each with its own strengths, weaknesses, and setup requirements. If you're wondering which is right for your build, here’s a breakdown of the differences.
What Are They?
-
Coilover Shocks: These are traditional shock absorbers combined with a coil spring wrapped around the body. They’re highly tunable and widely used in both off-road and race applications.
-
ORI Struts: ORIs are nitrogen-charged struts that combine spring, shock, and sway control into a single unit. With their multi-purpose function and easy packaging, they’re now a popular choice for rock crawlers.
Pros and Cons
| Feature | Coilovers | ORI Struts |
|---|---|---|
| Pros |
- Highly tunable (valving, springs, etc.) - Wide range of brands & sizes - Great for high-speed desert use |
- Simple, clean design for simple packaging - Adjustable ride height - Acts as spring, shock & sway bar - Extremely stable in off camber terrain - Can be tuned at home or on the go |
| Cons |
- Requires additional components (springs, bump stops, limit straps, sway bars) - More complex to tune - More precise packaging with the additional components |
- Requires access to a Nitrogen tank to fill and tune - Limited tunability - Not ideal for high-speed off-road racing |
Cost Comparison
-
Coilover Setup: $1,200 – $3,000+ (for a pair) depending on brand and size. Add bump stops, limit straps, coils, and sway bars, and you're easily into the $3,000–$5,000 range for a full setup.
-
ORI Struts: Around $2,400–$3,200 for a pair, with most setups being turn-key and not requiring much else other than a Nitrogen tank to fill them.
Packaging & Vehicle Fitment
-
Coilovers require more space for not only the shocks, but the essentials that go with them. They only need an upper and lower mount but extra room is needed on the frame to mount a bumpstop to prevent the shock from bottoming out as well as a bump pad on the axle. A sway bar is recommended to help with body roll and is typically mounted in 12"-18" in front, or behind the axle on the frame that connects to the axle with an adjustable link.
-
ORI Struts are more compact and self-contained, making them ideal for tight builds like tube buggies or custom link suspensions. They only need an upper and lower mount.
What Else Do You Need?
-
Coilovers: Springs (dual-rate often), limit straps, bump stops, sway bars, shock mounts, and a good understanding of tuning or access to a shop that does.
-
ORI Struts: Just the struts, mounts, and a Nitrogen tank. No need for separate sway control or bump stops in most cases.
Which Should You Choose?
-
Go with coilovers if you want ultimate tunability, a plush ride at high speed, and a more traditional setup.
-
Choose ORIs if you want simplicity, easy install with reduced components, and superior control and stability at slow crawling speeds.
Both systems perform incredibly well on and off-road, but the right one depends on your driving style, build goals, and budget.
Need help setting up your suspension? Drop us a line—whether you’re crawling boulders or bombing through the desert, we’ve got the gear and guidance you need.
