Any reason you cant run coilovers as...

[brokenparts]

Any reason you cant run coilovers as shocks? I planned on linking both the front and rear of my 60 but I ended up only linking the front and with leafs in the rear but I did buy 4 FOA coilover bodies with reservoirs. Yes, I know I could sell them but some day I do plan on linking the rear....

So back to the question... any issues running the coilovers as big robust shocks (without the springs). Seems like they are constructed exactly the same from what I can tell, just that the body has been machined for the stops. Am I wrong?

 

[Eskimo]

Not at all, they're just high quality shocks... run 'em!

 

[Mace]

run em.

 

[brokenparts]

Gracias... I'm going to be down in Vegas this weekend mace. What are the chances of seeing you and Sixty race?

 

[Mace]

None, his cruiser don't run and I am still working through tranny issues with mine

 

[brokenparts]

DOH!!!!! oh well. Another question, since FOA isnt exactly phone friendly... do you know if its possible to directly pick up some bump stops from them? I think it would be cool field trip over there anyhow.

 

[Mace]

They tend not to like people going to their shop. Have you asked Chris about it directly?

I've picked up stuff from them a couple of times. But it is really up to them.

 

[brokenparts]

yeah... tried calling a couple times and sent an email. Maybe I'll try sending a PM over on Pirate. Not really a big deal or rush just thought since I was going to be there it'd be easy to pick some up.

 

[Tapage]

just come to my mind .. if the coilovers are not a much more high valving .. ? though shock ?

 

[Mace]

no difference in valving really. It is just that the coil is over the shock instead of next to it.

 

[brokenparts]

the valving is adjustable too.

 

[Volcano cruiser]

Any reason you cant run coilovers as shocks? I planned on linking both the front and rear of my 60 but I ended up only linking the front and with leafs in the rear but I did buy 4 FOA coilover bodies with reservoirs. Yes, I know I could sell them but some day I do plan on linking the rear....

So back to the question... any issues running the coilovers as big robust shocks (without the springs). Seems like they are constructed exactly the same from what I can tell, just that the body has been machined for the stops. Am I wrong?

Just to be clear as I have been thinking about this as well. Is there a problem with running coil over shocks on an unlinked rear? It seems from the responses to the OP that it is fine if you remove the springs. Not to sound fully stupid but by "springs" are you guys referring to his leaf springs or the coils over the coil over shocks which sounds just crazy to me. Then again I'm asking cause I'm really easily confused. The secondary question would be what effect would running coilovers on an unlinked rear have on (a) handling on or off road and (b) ride ( I'm looking for a way to soften the ride out). Last, assuming that folks are on board for running the coil overs on an unlinked rear w/o the leaf springs would there be a problem with running coilovers with the leaf springs? Lot's of rigs run coils and leaf springs together. Just a thought. BTW 40 series with 4 inch SOR lift on Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks, unlinked front and rear here.
Thanks
John ( Possible hijack over)

 

[boots4]

They are talking about removing the coil springs from the shocks and then just using the shock in conjunction with the leaves. The leaf springs act as the links on a leafed axle so if you take those out with nothing to replace them then the axle is not connected to the rig anymore.

 

[Volcano cruiser]

They are talking about removing the coil springs from the shocks and then just using the shock in conjunction with the leaves. The leaf springs act as the links on a leafed axle so if you take those out with nothing to replace them then the axle is not connected to the rig anymore.

Thanks for clearing that up. Now why would you want to take the coil spring off of the coil over shock to run it in conjunction with the leaves? I'm not sure what the benefit would be, other than possibly avoiding any modification to the rear shock mounts.
Thanks.

 

[boots4]

Thanks for clearing that up. Now why would you want to take the coil spring off of the coil over shock to run it in conjunction with the leaves? I'm not sure what the benefit would be, other than possibly avoiding any modification to the rear shock mounts.
Thanks.

The leafs are strong enough to carry the weight of the rig. The coils are strong enough to carry the weight of the rig. If you combine those then it could get really stiff.

The objective is to be able to use shocks that brokenparts already has and not have to buy new ones since he plans on linking the rear in the future anyways. When he gets rid of the leaves he'll put the coils back on the shocks and continue to use them. Whether or not he has to remount the shocks will be determined by how he sets up his links in the future.

In his current configuration: If his leaf setup is too soft then he has the option of adding the coils to his shocks to stiffen it up or adding in another leaf to his packs.

 

[brokenparts]

yes... no coils on the coilovers. I plan on using them just as shocks. I'll add a leaf to the spring pack if it needs to be stiffer.

 

[Tapage]

about this " idea .. " how about running onlu the main leaf just to hold and position the axle .. and let the coilolver to the main cargo and control job .. ?

 

[brokenparts]

about this " idea .. " how about running onlu the main leaf just to hold and position the axle .. and let the coilolver to the main cargo and control job .. ?

Ya know.... adding 1 coil to each shock is kinda an interesting idea. I'm running 3 leaf plus the overload 63" springs and I'm pretty sure they arent going to be enough.

HMMMMM...

 

[Volcano cruiser]

The leafs are strong enough to carry the weight of the rig. The coils are strong enough to carry the weight of the rig. If you combine those then it could get really stiff.

The objective is to be able to use shocks that brokenparts already has and not have to buy new ones since he plans on linking the rear in the future anyways. When he gets rid of the leaves he'll put the coils back on the shocks and continue to use them. Whether or not he has to remount the shocks will be determined by how he sets up his links in the future.

In his current configuration: If his leaf setup is too soft then he has the option of adding the coils to his shocks to stiffen it up or adding in another leaf to his packs.

Ok I get it now. Use existing parts and preserve all future options. Sounds like me. Also now understand that with both full leaves and coilovers the ride would get really stiff. My problem is how to soften the ride and whether addin adjustable coilovers would help me get there.

about this " idea .. " how about running onlu the main leaf just to hold and position the axle .. and let the coilolver to the main cargo and control job .. ?

I was just thinking this. If we pull leaves from the rear and use adjustable coilovers would that soften the ride appreciably? However if I pull leaves from the rear I'm also going to lose some of my 4" lift that the leaves are giving me. If I then adjust the coilovers stiffer, I should gain lift but lose any gains in a softer ride. Did I get this about right guys?
Thanks
John

 

[Mace]

axle wrap would be horrible..

And there is a good chance that the leaf would break at the spring pad (all that stress on a single leaf would be bad)

Stick with the leaf pack and put coils on when you link it.