The Lair

I got the marlin LCA braces in a box still. Now considering other options.

Wouldn't installing them change your caster? I thought they had a couple settings. No?

 

According to the video on the website, you only need to adjust the toe after installing the taco tabs

 

I got that. I was getting at it would change his caster (perhaps add to it), but now realize he was talking about his allignment as a whole. Nevermind, I'm working too much and need sleep.

 

I just did the cam tab gussets part, I have the prototype #RandyFab plated lowers so I didn't feel the need for the skids. I actually gave them to the installer because he has a 3rd gen... he traced the gussets and will cut them out for himself.

 

Oh my bad, you were talking about the Taco tabs

 

All this talk of preload and what not...I did 5 turns each on my Elka's and they say it's about .29in., of course I went up 3/8 inch driver to 22 3/8" from 22, and passenger went from 23 1/4 to 23 1/2".

I guess after all this instant feedback, looks like going up an additional 8-14 turns on driver might be needed to balance the front end out?

 

It’s impossible to say as every truck and setup is different. I don’t know anything about elka

 

Blasphemy!!!!

Hah, no I just figure gaining 8 tenths of an inch would be about 12 turns, but in my head I was envisioning a Frankenstein setup trying to level it out

 

what kind of adjustments did you do to coilovers? my local Firestone struggles with my alignments.

 

Let’s do this

 

While you have that apart, can you take a couple measurements, accurate within 1/8”?

1. Length of the shaft
2. (with lower coil seat on) distance between lower coil seat and preload ring

 

So the photos and details are here, but I made 5 turns of preload and swapped stock for gusseted spindles.

So as far as Firestone alignments, it definitely can't replace an alignment shop, since some technicians won't do what 'we' want in terms of pushing the caster that far forward.

I honestly figured between both front sides being pulled apart between the control arms, I had made an appointment with the alignment shop, but found the truck driving pretty damn straight, so I just cancelled and went with the free alignment to adjust, if needed, the toe and camber.

 

length of exposed shaft is 5.75”

is this the idea of the 2nd measurement you were asking for? Do you want me to do it with the preload ring all the way up?

 

Yes, with the preload ring all the way up please. I’m curious to see if a 16” could be squeezed on there

 

Collar All the way up to the top to the lower spring perch is 12 14/16”

 

Dang, it would be close to try and squeeze one on there. Assuming the shaft completely bottoms out at full compression, you’re left with 7.375” between coil perches (once the 3/8” thickness of the coil perch is accounted for).

Block height for a 500 lb coil is 7.52” and 550 is 7.6”.

It’s a safe assumption that the shaft doesn’t actually bottom out under full compression. There’s always a safety margin. Without actually cycling the suspension there’d be no way to actually know what that is.

So in summary, a soft long coil could most likely be squeezed on there but you’d have pretty much no adjustment in preload. You’d have to have the passenger side all the way up and drivers side 1/4” lower to account for lean, and that’s it. That’s your ride height.

thanks for those measurements

 

would be interesting to try. And you are welcome!

do you remember where these springs came from?

 

I bought them from wheelers off-road

 

Oh baby oh baby.

 

Oh yeah?