Front coil suspension

[kelvinabrown]

Hi all I posted in fj40 tech but was told I would have more joy here.

I want to create a sort of hybrid front suspention and was hoping you could critiqe it.


Firstly a bit about my rig, its a 1984 bj42 chassi with a 45 tub soon to be mated up.

This is what I was thinking of doing.

1. have axle bolted to the leaves in normal way or in SOA position

2. chop front of spring pack off so it only has the rear fixed section of leaf left ( but still attatched to axle )

3. install coil springs

4. install a panhard bar

I admit I am a total novice but I cant see any reason that this wouldn't work.

Please help me out before I do something I will regret to my beloved cruiser.

Regards Kelvin

 

[Mace]

Really bad idea. If you are going to link it, then link it.

The short side springs will allow way too much distortion and are way too short.

 

[kelvinabrown]

thanks mace thats all I need to hear are you able to look at this pic and tell me if my shackle reversal using original hangers is a good idea or another bad one.

Thanks Kelvin

 

[kelvinabrown]

One more

 

[Mace]

Perfectly acceptable.. But, why do you want to do a SR?

Bored??

 

[kelvinabrown]

firstly it moves the front axle foward increases approach angle and is apparently better for dragging the diff over obsticles.

I read up on it at a website that sells the kits so there might have been a bit of biass in their oppinions.

I have searched this site and found that it may not be the best idea thats why I dreamed up that crazy suspension so i didnt have to go through with it.

I would do a soa but don't like the fact you have to rotate the knuckles.

 

[Mace]

Rotating the knuckles really is not a big deal. Honestly, it is a lot more work to do a SR or the linked suspension that you were planning (and more expensive).

You can move the front axle forward by simply flipping the springs. approach angle is a good point, but dragging the diff across rocks is not an issue either way. Most of the time you hit your front diff you won't be making it anyway

It is not a SOA specificaly that makes a Cut N turn necessary. It is more a certain amount of articulation, wheelbase, lift and front driveshaft length. If you lift it enough and have enough droop with a coil spring lift you will potentialy need a CNT as well..

 

[Tapage]

I thought SO and proper adjust the font drive shaft angle requite Cut n turn .. most if you keep the stock front axle position.

do SR for the right reasons .. better ride.

 

[Mace]

SR does not inherently give you a better ride..

 

[bandy rooster]

SR does not inherently give you a better ride..

it did for me!

 

[Mace]

And you rebuilt a buncha crap in the process as well..



It is very nice if you have a habit of slamming your shackles into rocks or ice and killing springs..

 

[LT]

firstly it moves the front axle foward increases approach angle and is apparently better for dragging the diff over obsticles.

I read up on it at a website that sells the kits so there might have been a bit of biass in their oppinions.

I have searched this site and found that it may not be the best idea thats why I dreamed up that crazy suspension so i didnt have to go through with it.

I would do a soa but don't like the fact you have to rotate the knuckles.

There is nothing wrong with rotating the knuckles. When we do it, Mark does about 3 or 4 passes with the TIG machine making the new weld stronger than factory. Plus a SOA will drive 10x better than a SUA set up.

The SR is apple to oranges. You will have to get a longer travel drive shaft because you are changing the motion of which the axle travels on compression/droop.

 

[Tapage]

it did for me!

and me .. it was me reason to do it .. and and get it.

 

[kelvinabrown]

Thanks for the reply's I just read a thread called turning housing or something, there was a guy called mark w who seamed to know a s*** load. It seams that I could do a soa and with keeping my shackle reversal It would not be necessary to do a cut and turn. I would probably take a leaf out of my pack too to keep the angle down.

Anny oppinions on this.Keeping in mind my truck is to be a daily driver plus some trail rides, I will get something less pretty for really beating the earth (hell I might even find the keys to my lada and do something with that)

Also I have noticed on all the aftermarket bolt on s/r the front hanger hangs very low whats the thinking behind this as my front hangers are much higher.


Thanks Kelvin

ps paying that 20 bucks to this site was well worth it

 

[Tapage]

IMOP C&T it's necesari with a SO in a Cruiser .. at least 40/60/70 series ( with front spring packs ) more if you go with SR front setup ..

 

[Eskimo]

For as easy as it is, why not get your pinion up off the rocks 6" higher AND get enough caster to drive it with one hand on the wheel?

 

[kelvinabrown]

Maybe I will do cut and turn just a bit scared about ruining my axel. Its not needed in the rear am I right?

 

[Mace]

no, not in the rear.. cut n turn is easy

 

[kelvinabrown]

Sweet I'll do it but when I get round to it you can expect lots of questions.