Long Travel BS Thread

Watch the Timmy video



@Dirty Pool had a write up I believe on here as well.

 

Going to be setting up ride height on the back half soon. Is it reasonable to be able to get 0-1 inch of lift from a total chaos or similar 3.5" front kit without a less than ideal spring rate/length, or should I plan for closer to 2-3"?

 

For desert stuff you want as much ride height as you can get - at least 50/50 or 60/40 up travel / down travel. Cycle the coilovers with the coil off to measure based on how much of a up down ratio you’re going for since you’re super far from the desert and may want something else.

Wait you don’t have a front kit yet? Maybe tack things in place until you do and then cycle it.

 

Yeah, I know how to do that part and I'm not all desert. Rear is going to be roughly 50/50. Front will ideally be 50/50 or favoring down travel.

Was asking because there's been some talk recently about people with no preload still being really tall. Just trying to set my expectations so I can plan accordingly for the rear.

 

Spring rate doesn't dictate ride height, it's the other way around. Build from your preferences and get the parts you want.

I guess just get hub / frame distance references from guys with the ideal setup you think you'd like.

The point being a 3.5 kit will give you as much lift as you want to preload the coils for and it's all based on preference.

The guy with the wicked creations kit is dealing with an issue of the lower shock tab location and upper shock mount making a tall ride height (but as advised, he can just put his bumper etc. on, run it, see how much the coils sag, and decide if a new spring is needed from there). IIRC @Supra4x4 was maybe the other guy?

What kit are you planning on getting? The exact spring rate and length will vary some on 3.5 kits based on the lower shock mount location and upper shock mount style.

 

To a point, spring rate does indeed dictate ride height. For instance. Too stiff and you won’t be able to adjust. Too loose and you will be able to adjust but hit block height and bottom the coil before the shock or bump stop.

So. IMO spring rate is an enormous factor in ride height.

 

That last part is really what I'm after. I'm asking the question because I'm working on picking the kit right now. Aside from the Marlin kit which I'm not sold on, is there a particular one that lends itself better to the 0-1 height vs taller? More than just the springs. Are there nuances from one kit to the next that make for a better lower ride height.

Total chaos is my "default", but that's purely because I've been looking at it since it first came out for the 2nd gens

 

JD designed their kit around having a low ride height. My front end sits pretty dang low and I’m close to the 50/50 mark. Would have to measure to be sure. Might even be closer to 60/40

 

The point was select spring rate once you know your desired ride height.

 

You won't go wrong with the big name kits DK, JD, TC, Camburg, but I would just pick the one you like the best. All should be able to get you the ride height you're after and if not, just relocate the lower shock tab or adjust your upper shock mount location.

 

For what it’s worth, I had mine setup 6 up 8” down and wasn’t a fan, part of it was big time rake but I drug belly everywhere even with a short wheelbase. At 8” up 5.5 down now and much happier in rocks.

 

Appreciate the feedback! Do you recall your rough ride height relative to stock with either?

Ive been running mid travel at zero lift for a looong time, and had the good fortune of living all over the country. Been able to go fast, slow, and everything in between. I have really come to love the lower COG in all of the wheeling environments (except mud...can't stand mud). With the up travel I'm going for in the rear, I'm raising the ride height a hair to give me a better buffer to keep from dragging the frame at full compression. Thinking the front will be a out an inch over stock to keep the truck level.

If I determine that I want to be a little higher in the front, my anti squat curve for the rear 4-link is nearly flat, so I can always raise the rear an inch or two without changing too much of the driving characteristics.

 

Best guess would be stock height, 1” lift max then 2.5-3.5 inch lift? Had flat cv axles before bumping it up 2-2.5”

 

How many of you guys are 2wd? I'm thinking of deleting my front diff and going 2 wheel. I rarely use 4wd but just the peace of mind of having the option to get out of sticky situations are nice..

Main reason would be to gain travel. I know dirtking makes diff drops to help with bind, but how much travel does that help you gain?

 

You’ll gain more with DKs machined cups, or a 934 conversion. But even with those mods, CV will still limit a couple inches.

 

Rearend is really what will dictate how your truck handles - 4x4 is cool to have in your area with snow and rocks etc. and it won’t matter if you’re 4x4 or 2wd, the front will still out perform the rear.

Other guy is linked so it could matter more for him as the front will limit what he can do but it’s more of an issue in the desert or crawling which I don’t know if he’ll be doing.

 

With my +4 I’m actually strapped for outer tie rod heim bind. Much of it comes down to how you’re setup.

If you have the JD lower pivots, pushing full forward is about the worst thing you can do for geometry. Especially if you’re already almost an inch forward via LCA which actually equates to 1.125” forward with the pivots in the most rearward position. Nearly 2 inches does some nasty shit with steering and caster/camber change. This has a direct correlation with CV bind.

Once I go to a fabricated upright, CV bind will be what needs to be strapped.

 

Even my basic tc kit is strapped for upper uniball clearance, not axle bind. Full droop no strap axle spun great.

 

Exactly how it should be. Either steering heim or UCA outer should be the limiting factor.

 

With rcv’s I’m strapped at 15” on my dk kit. No diff drop. I started using 4wd all the time about 2 years ago after my buddy got his race car. Just adds more control when driving fast. But I also play in the rocks a lot