My New Springs

[bogus one]

So.........................................

After months of research here on my beloved Mud, I decided to order Alcan's for my Pig. I want to thank all of you for the informative and insightful comments that you have brought to this age old debate.

Some background:
We have owned our pig for about 14 years. She was bone stock when we got her. It has seen alot of changes over that time, most of which have happened over the last few years due to knowledge learned here.

Approxametly 10 years ago we put MAF's 4" Safari Kit under her. Not knowing much about shackle angle, ride charicteristics, etc., I thought we had hit the jackpot with this set-up. We typically do more "expedition" type wheeling, but I've been known to get her into rocks pretty good.

As other mods have given us confidence to get more and more "extreme" rolleyes with our wheeling, and the fact that these springs are definately starting to show their age, it became apparent that it was time for a change.

Hence, the Alcan's

Here's some shots of how she sits with the MAF set-up

 

[bogus one]

Some more shots of how she currently sits

 

[bogus one]

One more showing the existing rear measurement, and the new bounty

 

[bogus one]

A couple more shots of the new springs.

I ordered both sets 1" longer than stock from center pin to shackle eye, with a 5" lift.

The fronts are 250 lbs. over stock, and the rears are 650 lbs.over stock. I came up with these weight ratings based on adding up all of the accessories, gear, etc. that we typically carry.

I will re-use the greasable anti-inversion shackles for now. I will be installing greasable frame pins and a u-bolt flip kit.

Shackles and shocks are gonna be a "trial by fire" thing after I get the springs on. Don't worry, I will NOT be using coil-over shocks in the rear again.

Hopefully I'll be able to start tearing into it tomorrow. If not, then definately over the weekend.

I'll keep you posted.

Kevin

 

[Vitesse_6]

Looks like fun!
Good luck

 

[bogus one]

Thanks, V.

Front shocks are off, front end's in the air, wife is getting the shipping goo off.

Looks like I'm starting tonight

 

[calstyl2]

Bet its nice and warm on that driveway tonight...........

Looks nice,

Those are bitchen sliders..............

 

[brider]

Just how "top heavy" does your Pig feel with that 4" lift and those tires? My Pig has 33 x 9.50's, and I may get a good deal from a MUD member on some 4" springs, but I'm wondering how much more "tipsy" it's going to feel being that much higher in the air. I'm on 33's and stock (sagging) springs now.

Do you just suck it up on the road and SLOW down on fast corners?

 

[bogus one]

Just how "top heavy" does your Pig feel with that 4" lift and those tires? My Pig has 33 x 9.50's, and I may get a good deal from a MUD member on some 4" springs, but I'm wondering how much more "tipsy" it's going to feel being that much higher in the air. I'm on 33's and stock (sagging) springs now.

Do you just suck it up on the road and SLOW down on fast corners?

Well

When I put the bucket seats in, that helped alot. Not sliding across the bench makes you feel more secure.

I have always been a wimp when it comes to off-camber stuff. We were running 33x9.50's with our stock springs. When I put the MAF kit on we went to 33x12.50's. That made a big difference.
Last year I put spacers on, and another big difference.
Adding the H41 and early x-fer gears REALLY made a difference, along with moving the spare and jerry cans to the rear bumper.

I still get a little butt pucker, but when my spotter is telling me "no problem", I start to get used to it. It's all about getting comfortable with the limits of the rig.

I will admit that I'm concerned I'm gonna have to start that cormfort building process all over with these new springs, but that's part of the enjoyment,





right?

 

[Luke111]

His truck should corner great with these new stiff springs, unloaded he should have very litte body roll and could probably pull about .98g on the skidpad test,

Lou

 

[bogus one]

His truck should corner great with these new stiff springs, unloaded he should have very litte body roll and could probably pull about .98g on the skidpad test,

Lou

you might be right

 

[Southeast Overland]

Just how "top heavy" does your Pig feel with that 4" lift and those tires? My Pig has 33 x 9.50's, and I may get a good deal from a MUD member on some 4" springs, but I'm wondering how much more "tipsy" it's going to feel being that much higher in the air. I'm on 33's and stock (sagging) springs now.

Do you just suck it up on the road and SLOW down on fast corners?

My Pig is SOA (flat custom springs) with 35's and a rear sway bar and it doesn't feel too tippy in corners. Now, when I take the sway bar off for off-road...oooo, boy.

Bucket seats also REALLY helped.

 

[bogus one]

Front springs are on.

Now for the rears. Will post pics later today

 

[julstirn]

im excited to see

 

[bogus one]

OK,
Springs are on, and boy are they big. Here's some new pics

#1: New front spring compared to old
#2: That perch ain't gonna work. I just love cutting welds.
#3: Looks like a pretty good shackle angle, eh?

 

[bogus one]

Some more

#1: New rear spring compared to old
#2: Rear shackle angle
#3: Sportin' a new look

Today I'll re-align the front end and start investigating shock lengths. She sits about 3 1/2" taller than before, but I don't have the rear bumper and aome other crap on her right now. I know the springs will settle in shortly. The extended brake lines that I installed when the MAF kit weny on look like they will work beautifully.

 

[julstirn]

looking forward to some more pics and let us know what you think about the alcans, what are you doing for shocks, what did you use for a u bolt flip kit

 

[bogus one]

looking forward to some more pics and let us know what you think about the alcans, what are you doing for shocks, what did you use for a u bolt flip kit

U-bolt flip is from MAF
Shocks are TBD
Might drop down to some stock length dogbone shackles, but we'll see
If I keep these shackles, I know I'll have to push the tailpipe back just a little bit. No big deal.



anyone got suggestions on shocks?

 

[julstirn]

cant personally say but i know that bilsteins are a popular choice with 40s alot, u can measure your flex and order accordingly, hoping to get a 55 within a couple weeks so im watching with much interest, but i plan on putting in the ford towers and going bilsteins, probably alcans for leafs almost your setup

 

[LXCRSR]

Very cool to see your progress! Gettin me itchy to get moving on my pig again.

Are those rocker sliders from IPOR?

Any mods needed to your driveline with this set-up?