Squeaky Penguin's (Trip Reports) Build Thread

Ah that makes sense. Are you moving the crossmember you made? I've always had theories on how to maximize shock travel with our trucks without going through the bed or going with a wider axle. My thought was that there is about an inch gap between the bed and frame so ideally a crossmember pushing right up to that part, plus mounts on the axle that might hang down ever so slightly but be beefed up to take hits. It should be able to net at least an inch or two bigger of a shock. Of course I've never been able to test this theory yet.

But does that not really matter as much as that is just shock travel vs vertical travel that the springs let you attain?

 

you'll be able to stuff 12s like that straight up and down angled back a bit.

 

That was my goal, and what I hope to do before RT. I'll be likely doing it on a set of Dakar's though.

 

x2 - What did the Dakars cycle. I've got em and I'm looking to do a shock relocate soon.

 

I did that a few years ago with some SAW 12's, the shortest compressed 2.5 shock at the time. 2011 per the pics. I could move the lower mounts up to be about level with the bottom of the axle since like Brett the leafs don't go negative arch very much if at all.

 

Beauty of that kit is it uses stock hangers. Don't think anything like that exists for our trucks. I feel like I'm on a bit of a time crunch with trips coming up in a couple months. Takes a lot of time to get custom parts and the fab work to get them all setup.

Current crossmember is most likely going when I box the frame here shortly. I don't think I'll be able to get the frame plates in with it there.

What you describe is what I've been looking at, also have that 1" BL in the back of my head that I could use to get the upper mount up an inch.

None of that would make a bit of difference with my current leafs though, as those are what dictate travel.

What leafs are you running?

 

Driver side: ext. 25.5 in, col. 16 in
Pass side: ext. 25 in, col. 16.5 in
4.5 inch minimum bump stop

Collapsed length could be different for some people, I have the rear locker skid and it was about touch the gas tank. But at the same time the springs had pretty goood negative arch.
I'll be going with 10" travel kings with a custom length. 26" ext, 16" collapsed in Stock location. Should give me half inch both ways of clearance.
Edit: half inch of clearacne both ways with 5 inch bump stop..

 

Deaver J59 I think. They started life as 7 leafs then sagged out and I had deaver re-arch and add 2 more leafs. Been holding up well since 2008 or 09.

 

ahhh didn't know that.

Gotta be something you could do. idk what Deavers turn around time is but you should be able to ask if they can make a SUA spring for stock hangers....that said..i have not idea if that would be beneficial.

Welcome to my world haha the pressure is on!

 

Link it, you have done most of the work already (taking the bed off).

That's a bummer though, not much to had without some major changes. Maybe just a nicer shock at this point, keep the mounts where they are.

 

Nicer shock and start tuning it good. Still ride good and work good.

Guess it all depends on the direction of the build..

 

This is the easiest direction to head, and realistically, probably what I'll end up doing. Just seems like a lot of work and money going into what is not the best setup.


I really want to say screw it, go SUA, and shocks through the bed. This will then ruin the usable space in the bed, and I probably couldn't sleep back there as easy. So then I would build a bed rack and get a RTT. And then I'll have spent entirely too much money on this pile for the second year in a row.

 

spending too much money on our piles is the point

Probably couldn't sleep back there anymore that's probably true.

Again, all depends on what you want out of the truck. Redoing and dialing in your current setup can still merit good results. Travel isn't everything..valving is.

 

I haven't checked in here on this thread for a long time. Glad to see people referencing my work!

 

I am done thinking it through. It's time to get the phuck out there and adventure this year!

 

This needs to be my motto.

Because shit is never, ever gonna be 'done', and its way too easy to overthink things.

 

Yeah but young Brett has had more adventures in the past year then I. This year my shit will be "done" for the season and I want to get out more. I need to use my shit!

 

Here here.

I don't get time to camp and wheel much anyway. I really don't want to let my OCD for having things perfect keep me from using my truck for precisely the reason I own it!

 

After lots of thinking, just going to get 10" smooth bodies and dial them for now.

Hell yeah! I just need to get this thing off jackstands to be ready to go in a couple months.

Work on the truck in winter and spring, wheel all summer long. Worked for me the last couple years. I'm sure I'll be working on new and different projects next year as well. No reason not to get out no matter where you're at in your build.



Oh, and some redneck engineering:

IMAG0191 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

1" longer shackles gained 3/4" of droop. Negative arch doesn't look bad either.

 

Good to know. I have both stock and slightly longer shackles so if I can use them to net a little more droop I dig it. Still not sure how shackle length affects ride height though. I feel like my angle isn't ideal but can't remember why.