Back to normal ride height....

[adventureduo]

Well since i added nearly 2,000 lbs to the rig.. it kind of sucked the life out of my OME 2.5" heavy lift. Especially the rear. It was super soft and very loose back there. Felt like a boat in the water.

So today the Slee 1" Spacers went in upfront and in the rear we added OME 'super heavies' 864's with 1" MAF coil spacer. The 864's are rated for nearly double the amount of weight of the 863's and the lift height is identical at unsprung weight. The ride height is back to where it was if not a tad higher than before. It's a little stinkbug and i think it's perfect because it's not loaded yet and it only has a 1/8 of a tank of fuel in it. Plus when i get the heavier aux tank it should sit level again.

On with the pics...

Before 850/863
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8488/cimg1143xe9.jpg

After 850 1" spacer / 864 1" spacer
http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/5640/cimg1149dd1.jpg

[pskhaat]

Well done!

I went 864s a long time ago due to the 863 saggin' waggon look when loaded. 863s are great with one person out on the rocks, but never held their own at least for me. I think you'll really like both the capacity and rate of the 864s.

Did you do anything with the panhards?

[adventureduo]

Well done!

Did you do anything with the panhards?

Not yet! That will be the next thing to address, along with taking a look at the shocks, brake lines and sway bars.

You have some insight since you've been there with the 864's for while?

[blupaddler]

Yeah, I went with the 850J up front. AND I have the 864's in the rear as well. However I don't have spacers. The combo works good, and unloaded I carry a bit of a stink-bug. But...when loaded I am level, probably a little less actually. Maybe with the spacer you'll be level. Or...time to start thinking about smaller tires.:sombrero:Or...the Slee 4" lift.:safari-rig:



Oh, looks like a nice 80 behind yours too!

[pskhaat]

You have some insight since you've been there with the 864's for while?

I ran without sway bars for a long time, but with the new condo rooftent the swaybars are definetely back on and I've had no off-road issues with my moderate height. I don't run spacers, but I'd actaully like to, and as such have not adjusted the panhards. I'm confident the stock ones are plenty-strong, it's just a matter of cutting & welding in a threaded fitting.

[adventureduo]

Yeah it was pretty funny. Eric at yotamasters was commenting on how he never gets built 80's in his shop... and he had 2 in one day! lol

[adventureduo]

I ran without sway bars for a long time, but with the new condo rooftent the swaybars are definetely back on and I've had no off-road issues with my moderate height. I don't run spacers, but I'd actaully like to, and as such have not adjusted the panhards. I'm confident the stock ones are plenty-strong, it's just a matter of cutting & welding in a threaded fitting.

Ok. I dont think im worried about the stockers for what kind of stuff i use my rig for. If i was rockcrawling the stock panhards would have been long gone.

Yeah the rig felt fine on the way home as i did some slalom testing :ylsmoke: Handled so much better. Doesnt feel like a slinky anymore!

I ran through some nice street dips at some bad intersections and man its like night and day.

We are headed out to anza borrego on the 11th, so i'll make sure to do my testing out there and see how it looks for the panhard, sways etc

[pskhaat]

If i was rockcrawling the stock panhards would have been long gone.

Even then though, I've seen some jaw-dropping, `no-way' yelling stuff that a few particular 80s have done over the years and they're all running stock extended panhards without issue.

[adventureduo]

Right on, i feel even better about what we use our rigs for then. Good deal.

[Boston Mangler]

Looks Good Dave!

I run the J's in the front with the 864's in the back and it is damn near the perfect combo in my opinion!

I am not concerned with the "height" or my truck, as much as i am with the ride!

The truck rides like a Mercedes with the stock tank full and the aux tank 1/2 full.

HOWEVER, with both tanks full and the rig packed with all the gear for a weekend trip (including my 145lb tent) the rear end sags quite a bite and i get the squishy feeling back. Just a heads up for you when you do your aux tank!

I am stuck, because i like the height of the rig and dont want to raise it anymore, but the only options are the 4" OME Comp coils or the 4" Slee coils. I am still unsure how to alleviate my problem. I am thinking possibly the airbag route, but am still researching it!

How are you road manners with J's AND 1" spacers? Is the caster all out of whack? Wheel return to center ok?

Also, i would think that with 864's and spacer you are getting driveshaft vibes, no?

For what its worth, i think i have beaten my shocks into submission and am also looking into options. Probably go something exotic and bizarre so i can dial it in perfect for what i use my rig for.

Truck looks good man!


If i was rockcrawling the stock panhards would have been long gone.

Why? :confused:


as such have not adjusted the panhards. I'm confident the stock ones are plenty-strong, it's just a matter of cutting & welding in a threaded fitting.

Yeah, the stockers are plenty STRONG, its more of an adjustability thing. The more you lift the truck with a non adjustable panhard, the more it is going to move the axle to one side of the truck and it wont be centered. Too much and your doing a crabwalk down the 5 like the old ford vans :D

There are several companies making adjustable panhards now!

[adventureduo]

Looks Good Dave!
How are you road manners with J's AND 1" spacers? Is the caster all out of whack? Wheel return to center ok?

Also, i would think that with 864's and spacer you are getting driveshaft vibes, no?

Truck looks good man!


Kevin,
I dont have J's.

The caster seems fine from first test drive. It just needs a alignment now. Wheel returns to center just fine so far as i can tell (only sat in traffic in a straight line to work today).

No driveshaft vibes whatsoever.

Another note, with full flex droop upfront the stock sway bar position might hit the front driveshaft. Im checking that out and plan to ramp it this weekend to find out everything.

[pskhaat]

The caster seems fine from first test drive. It just needs a alignment now.

The only adjustment from alignment is toe-in, which if it was correct before, it probably still is. Are you running caster plates or bushings? My guess is if you think it needs alignment, it's probably the caster.

[pskhaat]

the only options are the 4" OME Comp coils or the 4" Slee coils.

Eh? What are the ``comp coils?'' I'd consider others but my understanding was that all the 4" coil options were not particularly load rated. Is Christo making a heavy load 4"?

[adventureduo]

. . . Im running the OME caster correction bushings.

The only thing that i notice is different now is the steering wheel isnt centered anymore. The rig pulls to the left when i straighten the wheel. No biggie, the steering needs to be adjusted for the height.

[blupaddler]

The "comp" coils are kinda new.
Skillet has them on the rear of his 80.
I am unsure of the load carrying capacity, just that they are a 4" lift, give or take...

Check out Kurt's site...
www.cruiseroutfitters.com
I think he sells them.

:wavey:

[Brian894x4]

I'm always amazed at the weight you carry. Have you ever weighed it fully loaded?

I just weighed mine and with only me in it, I'm only at 5850lbs. I've apparently gained about 650lbs since I started the mods. But, I imagine you're a "tad" heavier than that. :ylsmoke:

By the way, nice set up and looks good!

[adventureduo]

Thanks Brian,

Yeah, here's my weight (1/4 tank of fuel in the tank) as of a few mods ago :ylsmoke: Im probably at 6,700 lbs now :drool:

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/3223/dsc01514az5.jpg

Maybe i'll go weigh it in the morning before i wrench on it and add more crap lol

[DBS311]

They have Comp coils in 3, 4, and 5 inches. Supposed to be a little "heavier duty" for the guys running stuff like the Outback Challenge. They also talk about them on Man-a-Fre's site.

http://www.man-a-fre.com/pa2/80seriescompetitioncoilspringserieskits.htm

[adventureduo]

They're not rate nearly high enough for all the crap i carry..

"...Front coils are rated at 300lbs linear and rears are 280lbs"

[Skillet]

The "comp" coils are kinda new.
Skillet has them on the rear of his 80.
I am unsure of the load carrying capacity, just that they are a 4" lift, give or take...

Check out Kurt's site...
www.cruiseroutfitters.com
I think he sells them.

:wavey:

Dave, I think your rig looks awesome!

Everyone always starts a little low and when the dumpy back end kicks in, you need a change.

I am running the 4" comps in the rear and the J's in the front. Kurt is the man.

With a full load, including RTT, Engel (full of beer :friday: ) all camping gear, drawer system FULL with spares, tools, etc., firewood AND a full 44 gallons in the Long Ranger along with a full stock tank, she sits pretty level. With all of that weight, it is a tiny bit soft around corners but not bad at all. Has a lot to do with the weight up top.

A bit of a stink bug without a load but this vehicle is rarely empty. She is my dedicated fun rig. I drive a company truck during the week so I keep my 80 loaded for a quick getaway on the weekends. :safari-rig:

The first three pics are loaded to the hilt, the last couple of pics are right after I put the springs on. Not a full load but a medium load.

Hope this helps.

[Skillet]

They're not rate nearly high enough for all the crap i carry..

"...Front coils are rated at 300lbs linear and rears are 280lbs"


Per spring, that is where they start to settle.

So, after stacking 560lbs back there over stock, they will just start to compress. Theoretically they will be 1 - 1.5" higher than the heavies when you start.
However, they will apparently be much more forgiving than the heavies on long treks with all that weight. Not rattling your spine as much.

That is why I went with the 4" comp over the heavies. I would rather start with a stink bug and settle into my desired height with load and have some give instead of starting where I want to sit and risking the dumpy rear effect again while flying through the desert.

I don't know if anyone can load more crap in their rig than me and they have done great.

[bjordnolf]

I believe Christo Slee said that his springs are 25% heavier than the OME heavies.
thanks

[adventureduo]

That's why i went with the 'super heavies' instead of 'heavies' or 'Comp coils'.

They're rated for 400kg which equals 880lbs.