If you are serious about off-road performance, you have probably heard about ORI struts. Made by Off Road Innovations (ORI), these nitrogen-filled internal bypass struts are considered the gold standard for rock crawling, overlanding, and extreme off-road suspension. At American Fusion Wheels in Shawnee, KS, we install ORI struts as part of our custom off-road builds.
What Are ORI Struts?
ORI struts are not your typical coilover shock. They are nitrogen-charged, dual-chamber struts that replace both your coil spring and shock absorber in a single unit. Instead of a metal coil spring, ORI struts use pressurized nitrogen gas to support the vehicle weight and provide spring action. This design eliminates coil springs entirely and gives you something no traditional suspension can: fully adjustable ride height, spring rate, and stability — all by changing nitrogen pressure with a simple air chuck.
How ORI Struts Work
Each ORI strut has two separate nitrogen chambers — an upper chamber and a lower chamber. By adjusting the pressure in each chamber independently, you can:
- Change ride height — add pressure to raise, reduce to lower. No wrench needed.
- Adjust spring rate — higher pressure = stiffer, lower pressure = softer. Tune for highway comfort or rock crawling stiffness in minutes.
- Set compression and rebound damping — the internal bypass design provides progressive damping that gets stiffer as the strut compresses further, preventing bottoming out on big hits.
The result is a suspension that can be tuned for completely different situations without changing any hardware. Running a smooth highway? Lower the pressure for a plush ride. Hitting rocky terrain? Increase pressure for stability and control. It is like having multiple suspension setups in one.
ORI STX Strut Specs
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type | Nitrogen-filled internal bypass, dual chamber |
| Travel Options | 8" to 20" of stroke |
| Weight Capacity | Up to 1,900 lbs per strut |
| Damping | 3-stage compression: 1" hydraulic bump stop + high-flow oil return + velocity-sensitive valve |
| Adjustability | Ride height, spring rate, and stability via nitrogen pressure |
| Construction | Billet aluminum, hard anodized, custom colors available |
| Variants | STX (standard), STX Gen 3 Remote Reservoir (high performance) |
ORI Struts vs Traditional Coilovers
| Feature | ORI Struts | Traditional Coilovers |
|---|---|---|
| Spring medium | Nitrogen gas | Metal coil spring |
| Ride height adjustment | Air chuck — 30 seconds | Spanner wrench — 15 minutes |
| Spring rate change | Change nitrogen pressure | Swap springs ($$$) |
| Coil spring sag over time | None (no springs) | Yes — springs fatigue |
| Weight | Lighter (no coil) | Heavier |
| Off-camber stability | Excellent | Good |
| Price per strut | $400-$800+ | $200-$600 |
Who Should Consider ORI Struts?
Rock Crawlers
ORI struts were originally designed for rock crawling. The ability to adjust spring rate on the fly means you can soften up for slow technical sections and stiffen for high-speed desert runs. The 3-stage compression damping prevents harsh bottoming even on big drops.
Overlanders
If you load your rig differently depending on the trip — heavy with gear for a week-long overlanding trip, light for a day trip — ORI struts let you adjust ride height and spring rate to compensate for the weight difference. No more sagging under heavy loads.
Trail Jeeps and Buggies
Jeep Wrangler and buggy builders love ORI struts for their massive travel options (up to 20 inches) and the elimination of coil springs that can unseat on full droop. Nitrogen does not unseat.
Who Should NOT Get ORI Struts
If your truck is a daily driver that occasionally hits a gravel road, ORI struts are overkill. Traditional coilovers from Fox, King, or Icon are better suited and more cost-effective for street-oriented builds. ORI struts shine when you actually need the adjustability and extreme travel for real off-road use.
ORI Strut Pricing
ORI STX struts start around $400-$500 per strut. The Gen 3 Remote Reservoir version runs $600-$800+ per strut. A full 4-corner setup with installation typically runs $2,500-$5,000+ depending on your vehicle and the amount of custom fabrication needed for mounting brackets.
Custom anodized colors are available — match your struts to your build theme.
ORI Strut Installation at AFW
ORI struts require custom mounting brackets and fabrication for most vehicles. This is not a bolt-on install like a standard coilover. Our fabrication team designs and welds custom brackets to fit your specific vehicle and desired geometry. Every ORI install includes:
- Custom bracket fabrication and welding
- Strut mounting and initial nitrogen charge
- Ride height setting and spring rate tuning
- Full suspension alignment
- Test drive and fine-tuning
Financing Available
ORI strut builds are a significant investment. We offer 6 financing options including no-credit-check plans so you can build now and pay over time.
Call (913) 291-2027 to discuss an ORI strut build for your vehicle. 12310 W 62nd Terrace, Shawnee, KS 66216.