FOR 3.5" lift install

[NorCalSam]

You guys know there are tons of threads on Slee's coils. They have been under the Mud scope. The difference is Slee will directly answer a question about it.
There are also claims of the FOR coils being progressive rate and comfortable empty or laden- which sounds interesting and great but then begs the questions of techical specs and further discussion as people want to know what this means exactly. If FOR doesn't answer it, than discussion happens.

I think it then makes your review of the product more important since this would be the most accurate info to date.

Nice going now you guys made him mad. He’ll probly set ill down after he blows some s*** up with the 300mag.

For what its worth Frankie has always answered my questions and then some. I have had many very long talks with Frankie over the phone. Both before and after I became a tester. I found him to be very sharp about suspension theory and design etc. like no one else I’ve ever talked to. And maybe it’s the country boy in me but I found him to be very likeable.

 

[FirstToy]

This thread is going back into page 1 & 2 territory. Christo's questions are not slamming or asking for confidential info. I like the fact Christo is so accessible and interested w/ all developments in our market.

Sam, I hope you are not looking at these questions as attacks on FOR. As a tester, you will be faced with many questions b/c it's new and many people will want to know all about it. It might be a burden to answer or say "I don't know" but hang in there, I'm sure it's a lot of fun too!

You and Tree will be the defacto experts, living with it and giving impressions. A lot of questions will come your way. I'm sure there is a healthy amount of skepticism but that's always the case.

 

[Corbet]

That was suposed to be a PM.. sorry to let you down .
what would you like to know ?

I know this question was not directed to me but....

I would like to know what load these springs are designed to carry. You state on your web site that they are "Manufactured with bumpers winches and expedition gear in mind." What does this mean to you? Slee offers additional weight capacities of 250f/400r IIRC. I'm very interested in your kit but I don't want the "oppisite of stink bug" with the addition of bumpers/drawers/roof rack/etc...

I like most others are trying to determine how one set of springs can work for both a light truck and a heavy truck. Progressive or not when you add or remove weight something has to give.

 

[NorCalSam]

Absolutely not, I don’t think Christo has done anything wrong and if I were him I’d be asking some of the same questions, however, I do understand Frankies secrets point of view too. Sorry

I do feel that over the last year or so I have seen others say things to both Frankie and Nay on the forums that were not nice, inflaming or just plain ignorant, and for no reason.

In fact when I first started this thread I got some anti FOR posts and started to think that jee, people just don’t care or wont to here about the kit. The only thing I could think of was that maybe people feel that 3.5” is just to small and if that is true I’m not going to change there minds anymore then they are going to get me to lift my cruiser 8” and put 38s on the stock axles.

As far as Slee off-road and Christo is concerned, I’d say that it’s a good company to deal with and the springs must be alright or my friends would not be happy with them. And I can’t comment on the 4” spring vs. the FOR because I have never run these on my truck. And the only good way to compare this in my mind would be to try both sets of springs and shocks on the same truck with a lot of testing. At one time I was considering running 4”Slee springs with shock adapters and 7100s shocks and most likely the extra HD rear springs for long trips.

My intent is to see if the springs can handle weight.
Can they handle a heavier truck that is used as a DD
Can they handle a heavier truck loaded with a week full of camping gear.
How do they compare to the OME HD setup we had
And most importantly what do we think of it?

 

[frankies off road]

I know this question was not directed to me but....

I would like to know what load these springs are designed to carry. You state on your web site that they are "Manufactured with bumpers winches and expedition gear in mind." What does this mean to you? Slee offers additional weight capacities of 250f/400r IIRC. I'm very interested in your kit but I don't want the "oppisite of stink bug" with the addition of bumpers/drawers/roof rack/etc...

I like most others are trying to determine how one set of springs can work for both a light truck and a heavy truck. Progressive or not when you add or remove weight something has to give.

(CORBET)We have three diffrent springs to meat your needs. We build each kit to your aplication.

EVERY ONE ELSE
Anyone that is seriouse about a kit i am sure will call us and we will be glad to explain anything to any customer..
We at the moment do not produce enough revnue on this site to sit here and explane every detail to your query at a moments notice.

AGAIN if your not a Tire kicker and are a seriouse customer for a sus systeme i bet you call and ask questions and get your answer..

I have 70+ hour work weeks and have little time for my owm family much less to please the internet.



If this reply upsets you then your not the type of customer we where after in the first place...



Frankie...

 

[Land Speeder]

Right on Frankie. Regardless of how long you've been in the 80 community, you've been in the offroad community for decades and have the vision to produce great 80 series products and taking us 80 owners to the next step. Don't stop!
In 15 years no one is going to care that you got here 3 years after 98% of us!

 

[Corbet]

(CORBET)We have three diffrent springs to meat your needs. We build each kit to your aplication.

Thanks, when I'm closer to an install I give you a ring to discuss any further questions.

 

[frankies off road]

Slee what would you like to know please take your time get them all in line and dot the T's i will answer any question you yourself will answer me about your lifts kit..

 

[sleeoffroad]

Frankie,

in this thread

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=160802

Nay posted this

I'm not affiliated with FOR, so I can only repeat my understanding of the suspension design. The FOR springs have a very small progressive rate wind. So when completely unloaded, you get a very soft ride of the lower rate. Add load and you quickly compress the little bit of progressive wind to the higher rate, so in seat of the pants, the ride never changes loaded vs. unloaded. It always feels about the same.

Here is a link to the complete post.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=2253929&postcount=7


All I want to know is if the FOR spring is indeed progressive or not.



Also,

in this post

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=2452151&postcount=10

Nay mentioned there is only one spring, but you mention multiple springs. Which is the correct statement?

 

[frankies off road]

Frankie,

in this thread

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=160802

Nay posted this



Here is a link to the complete post.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=2253929&postcount=7

All I want to know is if the FOR spring is indeed progressive or not.

Some of our springs have difrent pitches and wire diamaeter over the full spring lenght which would be progresive ,But not enough to call it such IMHO.
the end is unwound(not a circle) the primary weight is held by the main spring rate but is shared by the last wind wich is a variable rate.

 

[frankies off road]

Didnt see the second question..on diffrent springs.

That was then now we have three springs I have not talked to nay in months its not like I program him daily.

 

[sleeoffroad]

Thanks for sharing that. Now I can see how different people with different setups can all run FOR springs and it can work.

 

[NorCalSam]

Drive shaft update

hooked up with Andy today, and installed his drive shaft. He have a older style Slee DC shaft and a Slee 4" lift kit with zero vibrations.

Thanks Again Andy

This will help a lot I think. Andy DC shaft was much better or diffenitly the best of the 3. As expected the factory shaft is getting worse and does not sound happy under there but our new DC shaft is much worse then that. It can be felt by the kids at low speed and gets bad at 30 to 50 etc.

With Andys shaft I felt nothing at low speeds and at over 35 mph but around 40 45 Andy said he could feel something on the ps floor boad. We got onto the Freeway and it countined to feel good or vib free to me up to about 65 and it felt happy in there, at over 70 you could tell that is just not perfect, somthing is not right. But his shaft is very different then ours.


So either the shaft we have is bad or it is just stiff and needs to be broke in and or there is a combination of things contributing to the vibration.

Agian I checked the bearing or plates at both the pinon and the T-case and can not get them to rock or move up and down.

Still need Landtank

 

[landtank]

With Andys shaft I felt nothing at low speeds and at over 35 mph but around 40 45 Andy said he could feel something on the ps floor boad. We got onto the Freeway and it countined to feel good or vib free to me up to about 65 and it felt happy in there, at over 70 you could tell that is just not perfect, something is not right. But his shaft is very different then ours.

Definitely seems like your DC shaft has issues. I don't suppose that Andy's shaft will be around when I'm out there.

With the slight amount of vibs that you had with Andy's shaft in place it's possible that there is also a problem with the rear shaft. Any chance you pulled the rear and just ran with Andy's front shaft in?

If the only DC shaft that will be available when I get there is the one you have I think it's best to bolt it up and start working it. But talk with Christo on that before hand.

 

[NorCalSam]

Sorry guys, I hope I am not boring to many of you with the vibs stuff but it is my biggest prob right now and is really preventing more fun suspension testing etc.

I drove the Dodge truck today it is a 2500 Cummings Diesel truck with a fabtec 4.5” lift and 35” Toyo MTs. It too has some vibration on the floor some from the driveline and some from the tires I think and was just wondering had much of this stuff is the tires. We I first put the 35” on the truck I thought something was wrong with it. And when I drove a H1 with 37s I thought what a piece of crap for $150,000.

We had Toyo Mts before but there is a big difference between 33s and 35s or bigger in lug sizes and how far a part they are too.

I think that it makes it hard to pin down vibrations when you are running big aggressive tires etc.

 

[Walking Eagle]

I think that it makes it hard to pin down vibrations when you are running big aggressive tires etc.

See if you can grab some non-agressive tires off something else. It'll look funny with a lift and 265's off a tacoma (done it), but it will smooth everything out and help you isolate the issue.

 

[GXO]

I had HUGE vibration issues on the Cado when I first got it...then I swapped out the old and beaten swampers with MTRs and it was smooth as silk.

 

[Romer]

After discussing this with Sam, I have cleaned up this thread and deleted the off kilter pissing match. I have left some of the technicak back and forth discussion a specific member took exception to. I think it adds to the technical aspects of this thread. That's my opinion and since I am the moderator I CAN DO THAT

I think both FOR and Slee are great vendors. Both seem like they have standup products and have standup guys running their operation.

I appreciate the fact Frank is starting up his business and doing that is hard work especially when your name is behind it. He is obviously turning out great product based on what I have read and seen. Hoepfully your business will grow and prosper and allow you to spend more time on the internet provding a wider exposure for your product.

Chrsto has developed his business over time so that he can spend time on the internet as that is a large facet of his business. I have appreciated Christos advice when he has told me not to buy something he is selling because it did not fit with my trucks end game. He has always seemed to have the customers best interests in mind and has helped many people here resolve issues, except for shotts (Thats a joke)

Back to the discussion of Sam and Theresa's (it's really her's) lift. Any repeat of what went on before that forced me to take time away from my Crown Royale and Macanudo Cigar to clean this up will not be tolerated.

Sam - back to you

 

[Little Boss]

See if you can grab some non-agressive tires off something else. It'll look funny with a lift and 265's off a tacoma (done it), but it will smooth everything out and help you isolate the issue.

I think Sam was simply making an observation that with 35 inch tires( and larger) your more than likely to feel some sort of vibration. We don't need to put less aggressive tires on at this point because we have already had Toyo Mt 285's and Goodyear All terrains 305's which in fact is the set we had on the truck at the time we put the lift on. (Goodyear Silent Armours). The vibration occured after the DC shaft was put on with the less aggressive Goodyear tires. I only recently go rid of those things and put a set of TOYO 315's on. I am confident it is not the tires.

I was not able to drive my truck with Cruiser Drew's DC shaft installed, but Sam said it is much smoother than our OEM and cannot even compare to the DC shaft we currently have.

I think we have a problem with our DC shaft. Land tank was here tonight and concurs with our findings. He did find that there is too much play in the rear driveshaft which could be some of the vibrations, But remember when you remove the front driveshaft there are no vibrations, and the stock is decent (not acceptable per Sam) and Andys was much better.

The changing of the tires is a good suggestion but I don't think it is necessary because I feel we have eliminated that as a potential major problem.

Regards,

Teresa

 

[landtank]

He did find that there is too much play in the rear driveshaft which could be some of the vibrations, But remember when you remove the front driveshaft there are no vibrations

the slip yoke on the rear shaft had about an 1/8" of play in it.

It's important to realize that all the drive components are in play all the time on these trucks and as you drive loads on those components shift from front to rear and right to left constantly. When you pull a drive shaft you are basically stopping half of that from happening and only if the vibs are still there does it indicate the problem area. Pulling a drive shaft and having no vibrations doesn't necessarily mean that the remaining shaft is OK because the load is now more constant on that shaft.

With the stock front shaft in place the only time I could feel a vibration was when I lugged the truck a little but as soon as it down shifted the vib went away. We didn't get a chance to take the truck out on th highway and that seems to be a bigger problem area.