Fitting 35’s with minimal trimming NOW ADDING LONG TRAVEL AND 934 CV’s

@RonRon23 big 4 link guy

 

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That hotness makes me want links so I can say I have links. If only I could justify it…

 

I can justify it for you... you want to go SUA on your wife’s truck so take everything off of your truck and give it to her. You could even give her your rear axle with the spring perches and lower shock mounts welded up.

Especially since you are doing a cage you can easily add rear shock mounts now

 

Have you tried Sparcos at all? Pro2k or Evo series? Just curious if PRP are worth the hype. I do like the different offerings in fabric and custom swatches. Maybe I should go with what I know

 

I really dislike you for making that logical.

 

Well that's disappointing to read. We both know that is not the proper way to measure preload. IMO, the continual usage of improper reference measurement and following lack of understanding is why there is so much confusion and why the topic keeps being brought back up.

"As close too as little preload as possible" isn't "zero, nor is it an accurate way for others to use as reference. Although the statement isn't wrong, it's vague and misleading.

Please describe to me how you're measuring preload... Also, didn't Harry install the kit on your FJ?

If I shove a 20" spring onto an 8" shock with the preload collar up all of the way, is there still zero preload?

There is the proper way to measure preload and there is the poor reference of "how many threads are showing," ignoring the vast range of variables that directly effect the accuracy of information. I agree with Harry in saying every truck is different depending on weight, shock type and what you want to get out of the truck. If you just do low speed crawl stuff then you can get away with a lighter rate. If you want to beat on the truck at speed you can get away with increased spring rates as you're generating enough force to not have the common complaints. This is why @EatSleepTacos can run a 500lb spring and be stoked while @snowsk8air2 swears by 700s. Not to say either is wrong but this isn't a "one size fits all" conversation.

I disagree in implication that you can put an 18" 600-650 lb spring on every shock, especially with little preload, and obtain an idea ride height because it's simply not always the case. Take for example, the spring retainer being used. Using my truck as an example, the JD spec Fox shock has a raised spring retainer to allow clearance for the tie rod while turning. I currently have a 16" 550 lb spring installed with 1.25" +/- preload. I only have an exposed 2" worth of threads from the top of the preload collar to the body cap. I physically am not able to put a 2" longer spring on my truck with any less preload. I meant to grab pics for reference but forgot my phone. Now, I could change the lower spring retainer to achieve more clearance but I'll have issues with hitting the tie rod. This is just on example of inherent limitations.

Now the King shocks may vary in dimensions a little. Possibly a different eyelet or lower spring retainer, someone will have to confirm as I don't have the time to dig into that, but I doubt the top shock dimensions are that much different between brands unless you're looking at an over thread cap style shock which is yet another variable.

 

With the collar as far up as it will go, preload is measured with a decimal point. Why do fractions of an inch matter so much to you? Why does it have to be super precise when the springs themselves aren’t super precise in the actual rating? It takes what it takes to get what you want. All there is to it.

 

Would you prefer terms such as: The Springs "Free Length", "Installed Height" and "Length at ride height"?
From my previous experience in the spring manufacturing industry, it still surprises me how few reference these terms as well as load curve -vs- rate and stored energy (remaining energy stored in spring at installed height).

 

Did you intentionally miss the point of the post or did I do a poor job in making my point? This is a serious question.

Those measurements/terms would be more helpful to the conversation than what we've previously seen.

I'd prefer for everyone to have an understanding of what preload is and how to measure it so we're speaking the same language when having the discussion.

 

Tbh I just skimmed this comment but I would like to add that with my 18”x500s I have like 2.75” of preload on them measured the correct way. Collar all the way up still requires some preload to fit 18” coils on the JD spec coilovers, about 1.5”.

 

All good, we've discussed this in another thread and your input further supported my point.

Matter of fact... do me a favor. You're a perfect candidate.

What is your current free spring length? What is the length of the spring when installed on your C/O, with the shock fully extended?

 

What do you consider the correct way to measure preload? I believe the term "preload" should just be eliminated. We should use rate, free length, installed height (length of spring when installed on shock) and spring length at ride height.

 

Free length of the coil minus length of the coil on the coilover while the coilover is fully extended.

So in my case, 18”-15.25” means my coil is under 2.75” of preload. (But only 1.5” of threads remain above the upper coil collar).

 

The fox shocks have 17.25” of spring length available and most eibach 18” springs are actually 17.75” so a fox shock would have .5” of preload with an 18” spring. The king shocks are very close to the same and have .5” or less preload. Again the spring lengths like the rates vary from spring to spring as the tolerance on springs isn’t exact.

I stand by my statement of an 18” long spring with almost no preload.

A 16” spring with 1.5-2” of preload gets close to coil bind and cranking 2” of preload into a shorter spring to achieve ride height is what we are trying to avoid. A longer, softer spring with less preload will always offer a better ride, that’s my point

 

15.25" at ride height or springs is 15.25" long installed on shock with shock not installed?

 

The second one. Springs are 15.25” long when the coilover is not installed.

 

I have not measured any of the above. All I know is I only have to compress the spring a small amount to slip the coil cup in or out. Considering the vast difference in everybody in here, why does one specific setup matter? Find the spring that works for you and send it. Luckily, Harry seemed to be pretty on the nose when he picked my rate. Sits perfect. It was however super nose high until I started beating on the things. Leafs and coils both settle substantially with time.

 

Unfortunately most people don’t give it enough time, the bolt the shocks on and then decide the ride height is too high and want shorter or softer springs.

 

100% honesty. This is my first set of “off-road” seats. Have had recaros in cars over the years. I actually chose PRP mainly because they are an American company that started from nothing. And I dig that. They seem as comfy as one can expect from a fixed back seat so far. Just gotta put them in the truck to give an actual opinion. I have the solo mounts for the front sliders already so I may put two in for a bit just to see how I like them.