What weight spring would you run

This is exactly what i read when looking into powder coating springs. Mine were chemical stripped as well. I dont think its the powder coating, but wont exclude it as a possibility.

 

Yeah....i dont want to talk about it.

 

Your shocks arnt really going to affect your ride height and your springs arnt really going to effect your ride quality, it works the other way around. Are you sure your measureing pre-load right? You have to turn the top adjuster down so it just bearly touches the spring, that's your starting point for measuring preload. Now crank the adjust down till you get the ride you want and that's the finishing point for measuring. Don't just measure from the adjustment nut at ride height to the top of the threads, that's not pre-load...

Also shocks are stupid simple, its just a rod attached to piston traveling though a tube with oil, gas and bunch of o-rings. Pull them apart, measure the thickness of your valving shims and go up a size in thickness if they're are too soft.

 

The uncompressed spring is 16" and its (conveniently) 16" from the lower spring perch to the top of the body threads.

I guess to dive into my question a bit more, i am worried more about spring bind from too much preload and less from revalving. i feel like revalving is par for the course, but i need to get my spring situation figured out before i look into changing the valving up.

 

So what is the length of the spring when it’s installed onto the shock and the shock is fully extended?

You can calculate your block height knowing the spring TLG, travel, and preload to avoid going into spring bind. I doubt that’ll be an issue for you.

 

The spring height mounted at full droop should be right around 14.25". What is TLG?

 

TLG: Total length

16” (TLG)- 14.25” (spring length mounted at full extension)= 1.75” preload

 

So if i understand this correctly, the spring has 8" of unbound useable travel. Currently 1.75" of that 8" is being used as pre-load, so assuming the spring length at full compression is 8" or longer then the spring isnt bound? If its shorter then 8" it is?

 

Yes? I think we're speaking the same language? Using Eibach's spring catalog, the 16x700 spring has a block height (coil bind) of 8.03" leaving 7.97" of spring travel to use. Assuming you have a standard 8" stroke shock, you're potentially going to run into bind issues. This is also assuming you're using all 8" of shock (I don't know of a Tacoma that does. Most are limited in up travel.) 7.97 (spring travel) -1.75 (preload)= 6.22 of spring travel left before binding

The TC spec shocks for example are only 7.4ish" stroke. They're not actually an 8" shock but you'd still potentially have binding issues as shown by the numbers.




This is my understanding of it at least. I'm sure there is some margin of error within this concept.

 

Crank the adjustment nut till you get the ride height you want, put some tape between the coils and keep and eye on it. If your tape is rubbing off your coils are binding.

 

There are many ways to do it. If you REALLY wanted to know what the max preload you can add is without binding then remove the spring, cycle the suspension, and reference the #s. Your way is obviously less labor intensive though.

 

You're not going to be able to get 18" springs on those coil overs without a very good spring compressor, and you may run into coil bind issues. The AP spec coil over is not an 8" travel coil over, it's closer to 7.25".

I tried to get 18" 650lbs springs on...couldn't. I have a lightweight tube/plate bumper hybrid set up with a winch and skids. On 16"/700lbs springs I don't have any issues maintaining ride height. Crank that pre-load adjustment some more and watch for coil bind.

 

Hey all,
I'm a friend of @Darkgoatracer Nick and recently had the pleasure of finally meeting him in person. Name is Rob and I'm enjoying reading what you all are saying. Second, I have a question for you all since it sounds like you know what TF you all are talking about.

I have the Fox 2.5 OEM setup on my 19' Pro. It's more than adequate for my needs right now, and I like it better than the 5160's/6112's I had on my 17' Sport. I have 33" Skinny S/T Maxx on 2nd Gen OEM Baja wheels. I just installed sliders and may add aluminum skids later. I definitely plan on adding a steel hybrid front bumper and winch w/synth line. Then when I can afford it, a steel high clearance rear bumper with dual swingouts, tire and jerry cans carriers.

I picked up some new Eibach 16" 14" 700 lb springs from Nick and a full set of rear leafs with the 3 leaf AAL from @ilubtimmyhos with only 10k miles on them.

I have a ARE MX cap now, and a Prinsu Cabrac with a rifle case, and a awning, and I plan on adding a 14 gal water port. Ultimately I want a second battery and solar panel setup on/in the cap. Then I have to account for cargo to go camping.

So I was reading another thread and some people were saying that "the Fox 2.5 setup are good but there are better options because these are not adjustable". I get the whole opinion thing and that's fine. I am just curious if I am going to run into any problems after I am done with everything? I have cycled my suspension now, nothing crazy, but have yet to experience any rubbing anywhere. I am not concerned with lifting at all but just want to retain the ride characteristics on road (I do not mind if it get's harsher, stiffer, or more like a truck) and then the ability to off road without any rubbing.

Thanks,
Rob

 

*14" 700lb eibach springs

 

fixed it. Thanks Nick.

 

@RobP62
1. Your fox coilovers arent adjustable? Can you take a quick pic of them. I only know of Fox to make adjustable coilovers, however I do not pay attention to the bolt on stuff as much
2. just a stiffer spring/shock setup will not prevent you from rubbing. you need to remove the coil spring all together, remove your bump stops, re-install your coilover shock (no spring) and cycle your suspension with the tire on. If it rubs, you will need to trim. Trimming, cutting, bashing is all standard for bigger tire fitment