Long-term Experience: Archive Garage Hammer Hangers

I used an angle grinder, drill and air hammer, a punch will work fine. I would not do anything differently. I think the way I did it is the easiest way.
First grind down the rivets flush, once they are flush to the frame the air hammer makes quick wok of them. That way you don't have to drill out the rivet.
It's slow process, nothing out of hand.

It looks like it is, but It's not easy to hit these. The angle in relation to the tire keeps them relatively safe. I've been down a vertical 4 foot rock wall where it hung on the bumper, the hangers were not touched. In the pics below you can see the relation from the tire to the hanger static at ride hight. Obviously it changes while flexing, but you get the idea. The 2nd pic is to show all of my hits on the bumper with minimal hits on the hanger. All the rust spots are hits. I can't say that they never hit, but for how they flex I'll take the hits here and there. It would be very similar to any extended shackle drops.

How I understand it, the brace allows the force from the articulation to spread between both frame ends keeping them a bit more planted than not. It helps keep the frame mounts/hangers tight together while everything below is looser then stock. I hope that makes sense.

 

I was just challenging that other guy who said stock is better
Ive had HH for 5+ years, and theyve been awesome

 

Sweet, do you understand it the same way? As far as the cross tube goes. If someone asks me out on the trails, thats usually how I explain it to them.

 

Yes. It connects the two which would spread the load across the frame, as well as stiffening the rear and making it feel more planted

 

Ive hit them many many times, probably almost once a trip. I dont think its uncommon to hit them. Likely depends on the specific terrain you wheel too

 

Kind of too late for me as I already have the hangers without but possibly to help other members out. Would you guys say the hangers themselves are worth it without the cross member?

 

In terms of beef > stamped steel? Yes worth it. We both have the cross bar, so maybe the question should be aimed at someone that hasnt put it on yet

 

I don’t have the cross bar, have had HH for almost 3 years and can say it’s a big difference on rear end feel from stock. As said before, feels more planted, yet can out flex the stock set up so smoothly. I have zero regrets.

 

Have had mine for a few years, no crossbar. Felt like it tamed the rear end a little. I had to grind into the stock hangers to get them free of the rivets, and also had to use an air chisel to get them off the frame rails. I also painted everything after drilling the holes out. I marked all the bolts and nuts and nothing has moved at all over many miles, some of them pretty rough.

 

I’m not sure what I’ve done to earn the condescension…
Allow me to clarify, I’m was talking about this (or something homemade like it):


If you go back and re-read my posts you’ll see that I suggested this ^ would be better than hammer hangers alone (and cheaper). Didn’t say that stock is better. Your setup looks nice, and it’s probably the best of both worlds, because you have BOTH brace & hangers, although a brace with 3 tie ins like mine pictured is yet better than just horizontally connecting the rear leaf pivots like yours (Archive?) does.

 

Archive crossbar ties in three points as well.

 

Nice. Maybe they improved their design. the one fatfurios showed us was just horizontal between the shackle bolts.

 

Yeah I think maybe 4ish years ago they switched from the straight bar to the one I have. Your homemade design is pretty cool and a great budget option.

 

I was an early adopter. No sense in me changing now though

 

You have the Bay Area set, I'm almost positive they hang lower than the Hammer Hangers. In the pic below you can see the evolution of design for Archive. Current HH hang lower than stock mounts. So if you're not hitting the stock mount chances are you won't be hitting these often.

 

Has @ARCHIVE seen this side-by-side comparison? (Or did they publish it?) This is great information.

 

Those are pics of the Archive Hammer hangers as they have evolved. It's Archives picture, he posted it.

 

I put on HH’s without crossbar maybe 2 years ago and I honestly didn’t notice a difference. I have wanted the crossbar hoping to see the improvement I’ve heard about doing this upgrade. I’ve heard and read people say that it was “one of the best mods” they’ve done and those are also people with no crossbars, I just didn’t feel that result. But, they look fricken great with my HC bumper and I’m optimistic about the crossbar improving the rear. I don’t have Archive, but another reputable brand.

 

Can anyone with the 2.5 relocation shock mounts pull some measurements for me? I've got a flat bed and want to see how far these will stick out the top.

 

Coming up on 3 years with them. Got the greasable shackles at the same time cause the old Dakars tore up my stock ones (changed to Alcans)
Zero complaints and the truck can carry some freaking weight smoothly