Slodgetto's Green Dragon 4x4 Conversion Build

damn fine work man! this thing is freakin sweet!

 

Thanks, Adam! I used you basic idea and only changed a few things.

Well, there is only so much room on the frame but I would have moved it back as far as I could. Probably could have moved em back almost an inch... which would have been ideal imo The reason I wouldn't make the shackle longer, is becasue the longer the shackle, the less stable on the highway it becomes. At least that's what I've been told... I think 6" is enough for my springs to fully cycle.

I know right? Rachet strap around the axle to the frame near the tire needed to be changed, than hi-lift off of the sliders.

Thanks, man.

 

Oh yeah. I forgot about that trick. Probably cuz I've never seen anyone have to use it. haha

 

I have decided that who ever buys this truck needs to be screened by us fellow TWers and get our approval.

 

How are the ballistic joints? I was looking at them for my Chevys

 

I like it... Actually, I've gotten a few PMs from TW members that may be interested in buying it when the time comes. I would love it if an active TW memeber bought it. That way I can still check up on my baby and see what she's up to.

I like them so far. I have noticed zero wandering on the road, but I haven't taken it on the freeway yet... So I'll report back once I do that and after I flex it out.

 

man those shackles are reaaaalllly flat.... id say lop an inch off of them and redrill.

 

Uuuuuhhh... You mean take them off and make new ones an inch longer? Lopping off an inch would make the angle faaar far worse. haha And also the shackle would reach full extention with the leaf pack not yet fully compressed.

Here's the thing though... When cycled, I think the geometry works perfecty on the current set-up. I have yet to push it to the extreme, but I've measured and it looks good. With these 6" shackles, the leafs flatten just before the shackles reach there full extention or loop (which is what you want). And that way I can still maximize droop. Which is what I'm going for on this set-up... I know the flat shackle angle isn't good for ride quality, but that's the least of my concerns...

 

SCIENCE!

 

Geometry! Suspension is math. Just wait until you look at the math involved for proper link set-ups!

 

Math, science, they are one in the same really. haha

Yeah I imagine linked set-ups take a lot of planning to get right.

 

this. it'll make you consider throwing it all a way and quitting. well maybe not, but if you're not a fan of numbers..

 

That's why I'm going with leaves up front. for now. Maybe if I go tons I'll do links. But that'll be if I get a tow rig and the taco turns into a trailer queen.

 

Oh. Well FINE then!

lol yeah... I think it's fun. Probably casue a lot of headaches, but overall kinda fun.

ah. Nice, man. I like that plan a lot actually...

 

Do u have a writeup on your shock relocation? I didn't see anything in you 'table of contents' and im looking to make that my next major mod after finding a dent in my shock body from my leaf spring.

 

Lol dude..just go back a page or two..

 

K, i didnt wanna dig throuh the whole build but thanks :embarrassed:

 

yes my bad i was thinkin wrong. so ur saying the springs are flat when the shackles reach full extension. have u stuffed them all the way? they wont flip up because the springs wont allow them to?

 

Ah, sorry, man. I put the link on there now... Not really a write-up, I think, but here: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1s...agon-4x4-conversion-build-42.html#post6014016 Start there, and do your best to ignore most of the BS... lol Let me know if you have any questions.

Yeah, I think I'm saying that. haha Yes, I've stuffed them all the way. and by "all the way" I mean the wimpy 4" or so of up-travel until the spring hits the bump stop. The 64" chevies are known for bending and quickly wearing out if allowed to go into negative arch anyway... The measurement from eye-to-eye on my flattened leaf springs is 64". The measurement from the eye of my front spring hanger to the eye of my shackle hanger is 58 1/2". Add the 6" shackle and get 64 1/2" which means my leaves will flatten out before my shackles fully extend or flatten, every time. Also, a flattened leaf pack is the longest it'll ever get and make the shackle the flattest it'll ever get.. because once the leaf pack starts going negative, the eye-to-eye measurement gets smaller, which means the shackle starts going at an angle again, which actually works against the direction you want the suspension to go...