New suspension for my Colorado

[Bosvark]

Hi
Newbie here.
I am in the process of fitting new springs/shocks.I am experimenting with different Land cruiser spring/ shocks combinarions.I have fitted 120 series springs from Milners ( the springs are std height but 20% stiffer)in the front and are happy with it, gained 30 mm.
Last night I fitted 80 series front springs in the rear also from Milners,but it lifted it to high, I think it's due to the spring being 20%stiffer.(axle is not bottoming out any more....wonder why?????) The rear sits 100mm higher now, and the colorado has a severe stink bug stance now. I think I need to fit std 80 series springs, may be part worn/used to correct this little problem.

I have made some spacers, 30mm thick for the front to try to level it out with the rear. I fitted the spacer between the stutt assembly and the mounting bracket.
Before installing the springs the wheel arch/fender height(from ground to bottom of fender lip) was 865mm front and rear.
Now after installing the springs the front height with spacers are 960mm and the rear is 1010mm.
The lift is more than I thought it would be but I think it will settle after some time.
I think I need to make spacers to drop the front diff about, 50mm to prevent the CV rubbers/boots from ripping.
I have ordered LC 80 rear shocks, std height and will fit them early next week, then I can check what sort of articulation there is.
I will take some photos later to day and add them to this post

Regards
Bosvark

[KZN185W]

the lift height for the front should not go beyond 75 mm (3 inches) otherwise you'll be ripping the cv boots (at 4.5 inches/114.3 mm of lift height, i was ripping the boots at every 5000 km)...so try to reduce the spacer thickness..i think at 75 mm front lift, the stink bug effect shouldn't be much

you can then fit 33" tires and the look will be alot better!!

the rear coils (front lc coils) should be ok. they'll settle down to about 3.5"(90 mm) in a few months.

on the diff drop, try to check if you have clearance for a 50 mm of drop.

good luck!!


hth

[Bosvark]

[color="White"]Hi KZN185W
Thanks for the info.
Here is some pics of before and after the new springs are installed.
The 305/70's do fill the arches very nicely and only catch/rub when it is fully stuffed in the wheel arch.
There is only a 50mm differance between the front and rear, but I believe it will level out over time as you suggest.
Cheers[/COLOR]

Before the first 2 photos and After the last one

[nordic venture]

looking good. i quite like the rear slightly up in the air look. though i guess it will settle down a little over time/ loaded.
what spring combinations did you finally use? your initial post refers to both LC 80 front and rear springs being used in the rear of the colorado. how does it feel both on and off road?

keep up the good work

[beast2h]

what size tyres are you running???

[nordic venture]

Originally Posted by Bosvark

Hi KZN185W
Thanks for the info.
Here is some pics of before and after the new springs are installed.
The 305/70's do fill the arches very nicely and only catch/rub when it is fully stuffed in the wheel arch.
There is only a 50mm differance between the front and rear, but I believe it will level out over time as you suggest.
Cheers

Before the first 2 photos and After the last one

this may make it easier to read.

tyre size; 305/70/16

[Bosvark]

The rear suspension combination is LC80 front springs/coils(std height+20% stiffer) and std LC80 rear shocks(they are 50mm longer than the std 90 shock and larger diameter aswell)
At the moment the rear sway bar is disconected, broke one of the links when I tried to undo the nut. I do need to make extended links any way so will do it this week.
On road it feel slightly swaying through corners, due to disconnected sway bar I suppose, haven't took her off road yet, but I checked the flex and it was goooood! I will still like to improve the front flex some how.
Will post some flex photos later in the week.

[Bosvark]

Here is a few photos -checking the articulation of new susp

[beast2h]

do you still get compression to the bump stops on the front with the spaces installed??