ACR owners: are they problematic?

[FinalEd357]

Some sources have told me to stay away from them due to leaky shocks and lack of warranty parts, whereas others say they've owned several w/ no problems. What has your personal experience been? Thanks.

 

[goldcup]

I figure they are kind of like jessica Simpson yeah there are maintenance issues but what a ride!!!!!
I have very little knowledge of ACR's and all opinions concerning them should be taken as BS

 

[01ACR/VIPER]

One shock leak for me.Nothing else.

 

[dave6666]

What are the differences in the ACR vs. the stock GTS...?

Shocks.
Seat belts.
Wheels.
Air filters & tubes.
Badging.

Maybe I missed something in that list, but what there besides the shocks could possibly provoke maintenance or warranty concerns that is not a concern of every other Viper that is not a 1 of 28?

And if you really want an ACR that bad, would the fact that there is a chance you might have to replace the shocks someday with something besides the exact OE units concern you?

Maybe so I guess, because anyone that would care if their car is a 1 of 28 or whatever probably cares more about original factory shocks than I do about baseball.

 

[FinalEd357]

Dave I agree, but I've had multiple people (trusted sources) say to stay away from them. My thoughts are exactly the same as yours, but not having owned one, I thought I'd float it out there...

 

[All Blue ACR]

Hey, when I was in the hunt last year I had a few "trusted sources" go out of their way to beat up the shocks and the ride and then a few others tell me the "trusted sources" were full of it. The ride is subjective and adjustable. The shocks are shocks.

I called the servicing dealer, called Chuck, and then had it inspected prior to buying. The inspection proved the car needed nothing ( 12,000 miles on it though so bear that in mind)

I bought mine and though I haven't had it long, I have no regrets.

Dave hit the nail on the head, there really isn't that much difference from a regular GTS when you think about it

 

[wormdoggy]

I figure they are kind of like jessica Simpson yeah there are maintenance issues but what a ride!!!!!
I have very little knowledge of ACR's and all opinions concerning them should be taken as BS

Holy crap !!
Love the analogy.................LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PhilC]

I like mine and would never consider having anying else now that I have owned an ACR but one thing to note if you have a tight budget is that the Koni shocks (for years 1999 and older) are rather expensive. If mine were not covered by warranty when they went bad it would have cost me a bunch. The retail price as listed by Dodge (probably not what they would actually charge) is north of $3000 per shock.

 

[46hemi]

mine is hot and has no stereo..............



I would want it no other way!

 

[Dealmaker]

I heard the Sapphire and tha Sapphire and Silver ACR's were trouble free

Hey, when I was in the hunt last year I had a few "trusted sources" go out of their way to beat up the shocks and the ride and then a few others tell me the "trusted sources" were full of it. The ride is subjective and adjustable. The shocks are shocks.

I called the servicing dealer, called Chuck, and then had it inspected prior to buying. The inspection proved the car needed nothing ( 12,000 miles on it though so bear that in mind)

I bought mine and though I haven't had it long, I have no regrets.

Dave hit the nail on the head, there really isn't that much difference from a regular GTS when you think about it

 

[kpham]

I've rebuilt all 4 koni shocks. Last I spoke to the service center it's only $150 for a typical rebuild. 2 of mine were leaked for awhile and have rust so they had to change the internal/rod (not too sure what those are), total is $1.3K for all 4. I have it almost 4 years now, 6k miles, no issue at all. Yes the ride is harsh, but I love it.

 

[kcobean]

I have the DS shocks ('01 and '02 had these as I understand it), and have owned the car for almost 2 years now, no problems yet.

I will say that they are uncomfortable on some roads with 1100 pound springs on the back end. On more than one occasion I have bounced my head off the headliner going over dips or bumps in the road.

The only other mechanical difference on the ACR is the non-bypass oil filter adapter, which is probably going to be less troublesome over the years due to the lack of the ball valve (I think that's what it is).

 

[BlueGTS]

Not sure what all the hype is on the old ACRs. Leaky shocks and ugly wheels. Maintenance wise the shocks are the only issue as they are the only real "upgrade" from any other Gen2.

 

[dave6666]

Not sure what all the hype is on the old ACRs.

You can say "I have a one of twenty something car!"

 

[kcobean]

Not sure what all the hype is on the old ACRs. Leaky shocks and ugly wheels. Maintenance wise the shocks are the only issue as they are the only real "upgrade" from any other Gen2.

Other than the aero kit, couldn't the same be said about the new ACRs?

 

[jpa99acr]

Not sure what all the hype is on the old ACRs. Leaky shocks and ugly wheels..

Ugly wheels? LOL that's a first. If they are so unpopular then why do people have to bid $1000 each to buy them on eBay. Now the stock wheels, THOSE things are hideous.

 

[jpa99acr]

Other than the aero kit, couldn't the same be said about the new ACRs?

the new ACR's look awesome, who cares LOL

 

[dave6666]

Not sure what all the hype is on the old ACRs.

Ugly wheels? LOL that's a first. If they are so unpopular then why do people have to bid $1000 each to buy them on eBay. Now the stock wheels, THOSE things are hideous.

Go *******...!

 

[mad0953]

All you guys have got it wrong....the question was: ACR owners: are they problematic. Meaning the owners in my small mind. I would have to say all Viper owners are problematic. They are always a little (or a lot, like Dave6666) off and need to be tweaked on a daily basis, ran hard, and put away wet.

 

[All Blue ACR]

I have a one of twenty something car


There I said it

 

[cudavip]

I heard the Sapphire and tha Sapphire and Silver ACR's were trouble free

Aw now, I don't know bout that I know of one that the windshield came out and the clutch slave went bad in the first 700 miles while the dealer had it, c'mon now.

FinalEd, the maintenance is no different from any other GTS aside from a different shock set up (biggest difference is cost of the shocks themselves) Most had the A/C and radio put back in, smooth intake tubes, bbs wheels, 5 point belts thats pretty much it same Neon and Dakota left overs. I have had three ACRs, tracked one and then my GTS and yes it does make a diff. If your looking to buy for resale find the lowest miles and forget about it, who knows, G.L.
If you want to truely track it well then yes it will get expensive (they all do) and you would toss the stock shocks anyways being seven years old. Buy a stock low mile GTS and set it up the way you want it.

 

[Cobraken]

Bought my '02 ACR new and had it for 3 yrs with no problems. I love it when other Viper owners have to ask what the big deal is about the ACR's. Don't have one now but wished I did. The ACR's have a suspension that is just plain RIGHT when high speed driving is being done. Guess it's one of those "if you're asking, you just don't get it...."

 

[PatentLaw]

I heard the Sapphire and tha Sapphire and Silver ACR's were trouble free

Where did you hear that?

Ok, lets get down to it. This is so simple. If you don't like the shocks, you can change them out for different units. Simple. You don't have to use the DS shocks.

I find it ironic that the first thing most people change out on their GTS is for "smooth tubes" (aka ACR)......require maintenance? No.

Wheels.......require maintenance? No.
Seat Belts........require maintenance? No.
fog lamp delete.......require maintenance? No.

I guess you are starting to see my point here. No big deal.

As far as the "ugly" wheels, gonna let that slide. Personal opinion.

 

[Camfab]

Any other ACR owners want to sell off their ugly wheels, my ugly wheels need spares. ACR's also have a different oil cooler adapter.

 

[Kevin ACR]

Mine is early 2000 with Koni shocks. 14k miles with no leaks and no problems. My recollection is the car isn't much different other than the shocks and spring rates, wheels and oil shuttle valve and other small stuff. The later cars were switched to dynamic suspension shocks with higher spring rates (higher than mine), don't know how that feels because I've never been in one. I think that switch took place later in 2000 model year, not positive.

When I picked up mine from the factory it was set with the shocks full soft bump and rebound and was very soft ride. Kind of too floaty for me so I upped the bump and rebound settings based on recommendations from the board (track settings) and it took bumps under power much better with out the axle hop I was getting previously....however it does hit a little harder but I like the feel and it makes the car seem meaner to me.

I suppose if you were really into using the capabilities of the car one might want to have the shocks rebuilt....however, for me it really hasn't been an issue. With my current settings it is a little harsh but it makes the car feel like a race car....granted just with street use. Oh well, I like it.

PS, the wheels are a constant cleaning chore (which you can let go for quite a while as they darken evenly until you touch one spot...then you have to clean them completely), however, personally I love the look and the limited production with it still being a factory wheel.

 

[okloneranger]

I'm glad I bought an ACR. I'm still debating the shock situation, (two are weeping). I am leaning toward rebuild. The ride is rougher around town, somewhat bouncy, but at highway speeds and higher, feels just right. To me, (not the best comparison), it's kind of like the Z06 vet compared to the standard vet. It's an even more impractical, impractical Viper. Most people wouldn't and don't choose a Viper over a vet because of the impractical nature of the Viper. That is only part of why Vipers are so special. People either love'm or hate'm. They definately aren't for everyone. Same for the ACR. Numbers tell it all, and most Viper owners for a variety of reasons, didn't want and probably still don't want an ACR. That is completely understandable. The wheels are a work of art. MHO

 

[wigginz]

Only reason I got an ACR was my intention to spend a lot of time at the track. The 5 point harnesses are a must have if you plan to track at all. Being essentially part of the seat when tearing around turns makes a huge difference compared to just the normal three point belt. Shocks are nice too, but unless you are serious about competition I don't know how much you'll really need to adjust them. Lighter wheels are nice too, but lighter after market wheels are available (SSR for example).

Of course, you can make all the same upgrades to a regular GTS, so maybe the rarity is the only thing you're really getting in the end.

Anyway, mine has not given me any problems that you wont get from a GTS. I don't see how there can really be a difference, it boils down to how you treat the car, ACR or not.

 

[RTTTTed]

$10,000 worth of adjustable shocks with an ACR and they're rebuildable.

Like the wheels. I also like stiffer ride (mine's got Eibachs) and instead of smooth tubes, I've got smooth mandrel bent piping for extra hp. The race belts can fit behind the seats and stockers used for no-racing.

An ACR is more expensive and has lighter, nicer wheels and a little more power.

I wouldn't buy an ACR unless it had a/c though. Other than the a/c I'd buy one in a flash.

Ted

 

[Viper Specialty]

Three big downfalls on the ACR's;

1. Wheels are pretty easy to bend [at least in New York!] and are incredibly expensive to replace.

2. The shocks arent "great"; the Koni's were known to rattle, and the later Dynamic shocks were leakage nightmares. I have replaced or inspected at least a dozen leakers over the last few years on various cars. The shocks perform decently when working however, especially the Konis.

3. The springs on the later ACR's are WAY too stiff for street use... unless of course you think you are too tall, your ass will meet your shoulders in no time! haha


IMHO, if you are dead set on an ACR, take your shocks and wheels off NOW and put them in the basement- If any are damaged, replace now make a full set of nice OEM parts to complement your car in the future- those parts will be worth a FORTUNE. Put on a set of Motons and aftermarket wheels to drive your car with- they can be replaced easier, rebuilt easier, and perform better. However, they arent OEM, and they wont be as valuable in the future- so use 'em!

 

[Stephen]

The only problem I see is that ACR owners might experience jealousy from GTS or RT owners