How long do Bump Stops need to be??

[cokidva]

So I just picked up an 80 series a few weeks ago. It was a surprise purchase as a friend of a friend was shipping back to Scotland after a 12 year stint in New Jersey. The only car stateside they had was a 94 80 with factory lockers. It's interior has seen better days and who knew Scots didn't understand the theory of wax!! oh well, for 3100$ I couldn't pass it up.

I proceded to deplete the checking account to the tune of J springs, shocks some well used 35 Trxus Mt's and a few tanks of gas. I checked out Slee's kit and a few of the other parts from Man-a-fre of things I should get (caster, bump stops, sway bar spacers etc..) but I have access to a fairly decent shop with welders, benders and so on. I made up a couple of bumpstop spacers out of 2x2 square tube thinking that's what the other's are basically sizing them for. Under full tweak in the rear I still have at least 3" of gap between the bump stop and the axle! The tire is slammed into the inner fender and the shock is bottomed out! Hmmmm... just add height? Here are some pics of the rig and small trip.



Then when my buddy is using my camera to film (not that great of quality) watch the end when he eats it!


I'm super impressed with it's performance. After a few older generations and fully rocked out mini's/Runners this has to be my favorite wheeler!!

[cokidva]

... and the video didn't come through. DOH

[MoJ]

(I assume you're talking about the rear tires)
My experience is that the rear bump stops should be extended 2" beyond stock. If your shocks are bottoming out and the tire is rubbing you've got other issues.

[FredTJ]

The best way is to cycle the axle (front and/or rear) and set the bumpstop length to the longer of the length needed to stop the upward movement of the axle:

- before the shock completely compresses ("bottoms out")
- before the spring(s) overcompress (coils actually touch together)
- before the top of the tire gets into the upper part of the wheel well
- before anything obviously binds (suspension wise)




Fred

[cokidva]

with you Fred but MoJ I think you're correct in saying I have other issues! The doc said the drugs should wear off soon I'll look in to all of the other geometry and check the shock lengths (I went with ProComp to save some $) again compared to OME 73/74s.

Thanks for the input. In the picture below you can see the passenger rear stuffed pretty good.

[FredTJ]

Originally Posted by cokidva

<SNIP>

Thanks for the input. In the picture below you can see the passenger rear stuffed pretty good.

Yes, that rear is stuffed nicely, however you want to make sure that it's the bumpstop that has stopped the upward travel and not the shock.. You don't want the shock to have compressed fully thus "bottoming out". That's one of the quickest way to kill a shock.



Fred