Squeaky Penguin's (Trip Reports) Build Thread

Thanks you guys. I clearly have no experience in this area


Bolt is 1/2", so it looks like this is what I need:

http://www.barnes4wd.com/High-Misalignment-Spacer--34-to-12-_p_30.html

 

that rear bumper tho.

 

There's a reason mine cost $200 for the pair....

Want to send me the ones you didn't use when you swapped to bushings?

 

Pulled up on a snow bank for a quick test. Feels good to see the springs and shackles working as they should, without the longer shackles screwing everything up.

Still some weight on that back tire:



Such nice shackle angles:



No negative arch on compression:



Only good thing about using the longer shackles was I got to learn about leaf spring setup and tuning. So much better off now. Will also be adding some bump stops when I do the ubolt flip and such.

 

How do you like the dynapros in the 295 size? I'm really tempted to get them but I dd my 4Runner 25-30 miles a day.

 

Dang who ever too those pics is a damb good photographer!

 

Nice job on the springs, Brett. How do the spring rates feel? (I'm thinking about doing something similar with the Wagoneer soon)

Also, what were the issues with your longer shackles?

 

As a tire, I love them. Way better than my old KM2s. Less road noise, better handling, better in wet/snowy conditions, seem to be just as good off road. With that being said, I clearly lost some (more) power going from 255/85s to the 295/75s. Where I thought I might be able to get away without regearing for the skinnies, these have me wanting some lower gearing. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen for a while though. Around town it's not a big deal, I notice them the most on the interstate, driving up in the mountains, and wheeling in 4L. Don't think I lost much if any MPG is that's what is concerning you. I am pretty light on the gas pedal though.

Hard to compare spring rates as my old setup was too soft. These to me feel good without being overly stiff. Thinking back on first gens I've rode in, these feel softer than Dakars (purely speculation). Need to head down there and figure out a gas tank skid and I'll let you take it for a spin.

As far as the longer shackles are concered, they weren't doing me any good because the lateral length of my springs could only ever use the range of motion of the stock shackles. This is probably completely different in your case, because of the custom length springs. So what they left me with was preloaded, wavy, and strange acting springs, little uptravel and what uptravel there was was all negative arch, and also changed axle/pinion angles.

 

^Yeah, let me know when you're in my end of town... I haven't seen you or your truck in a long time. It would be fun to compare your new setup to my setup. I think the rates will probably be pretty comparable. Like you, I've sacrificed some ease of flex for the sake of load bearing and reliability. Plus, I can drive my truck around corners as fast as I want, without sway bars. Long story short, I think you'll like your setup.

As for your description of longer shackles with your old spring setup. That makes a lot of sense. When shackles end up at a shallow angle, they can be a little squirrely... especially with soft springs.

 

No bumps at all currently?

 

Haven't really had any bump stops since I lifted because the stock ones were too short to ever hit. I need to full flex it and measure the compressed side for length. Thinking I can mount just a cheap poly bump to the frame And have it hit the top of the u bolt flip plate.

 

Maybe that is why your shocks aren't lasting

 

I've never killed a rear shock. It's a front 5100 that's blown recently. My rear shocks were bought from Jace for $40 half blown already. They were only ment to be temporary.

Regardless, with my old rear setup, the springs would negative arch right into the overload, and there was still 1" or so of shock shaft showing.

 

Ah. They looked pretty close to over compressing in that last pic. Bumps
N straps are in your future, I am going to be doing my fronts soon, then the rear.

 

Not a bad problem to have. Everything will depend on exactly how I (we) end up mounting the rear shocks. I've got some measuring to do.

And it seems I neglected to respond to few things so:

Welcome. And thanks! (I think).

Exactly, so far I'm loving the new setup. I was amazed at how much body roll I lost. I always though it was coming from the 500lb front coils. I'm having to relearn how fast I can take corners. Ditching the front 5100s for OMEs in a week or so should make a bit of a difference too.

If nothing else we need to go wheeling again this year so I can drool over the crawlbox.

 

I'm game! Tomorrow will be my first trip in about a year. Hopefully, I'll start getting more wheeling in this spring/summer.

 

Hoping to do some bigger, weekend trips this summer as well. Alpine Loop is near the top of the list.


Also, Whiteline LCA bushings showed back up in stock, and are en route. Now I will have options. Also picked up some SPC cam bolt sets in case the old ones don't survive. Diving into the front end next week with the upper and lower ball joints, OME struts, LCA bushings, and maybe UCA bushings. That should have my front end good to go for quite a while.

 

4th of July weekend?

Begin stocking up on booze as well, it will become necessary to cope.

 

So I decided to throw in the towel with the sheet metal brake and have Insain Fab bend my truss. I just have a lot of work right now that is a priority. But I still have the tube for you when your ready. Peace!

 

Are those trails all open by then? I guess it has been a light snow year.

I'm sure one way or another I'll have a hammer big enough.

No worries, I'll let you know where I'm at after spring break. Still waiting on valve stacks from Bilstein. Then shock install time.