Gold Mountain - Big Bear

[DirtyRice Joe]

I have a buddy visiting from Vancouver, WA, so we decided to do an impromptu 4WD trip up to Big Bear. We ran Gold Mountain. It was a very nice day, warm but not too hot. The trail was great. I love my new lift. What a difference!

Everything but the caster correction is complete. I'm going to wait a little while to see if the springs settle. Meanwhile, it's a little "squirrely" at higher speeds, but not too awful.

 

[sdnative]

Awesome. I always enjoy GM. It seems to change every time I run it. Did you do the Talus Slope? Any pics?

 

[DirtyRice Joe]

Awesome. I always enjoy GM. It seems to change every time I run it. Did you do the Talus Slope? Any pics?

We didn't do the talus slope. It was my first time on GM, so I didn't really know where I was going. My buddy took some pics on his I-phone. I think we got a few showing some nice flex on my new suspension. I'll post 'em if I can figure out how,,,

 

[Rallyroo]

Everything but the caster correction is complete. I'm going to wait a little while to see if the springs settle. Meanwhile, it's a little "squirrely" at higher speeds, but not too awful.

I waited a bit for the springs to settle before I did the caster correction. And yeah, it was squirrely at higher speeds. After I did the caster correction driving required less work.

It took me longer to install the caster correction than it did for me to install the struts and springs. The original rubber caster bushing was extremely hard to remove even with a press.

 

[DirtyRice Joe]

I waited a bit for the springs to settle before I did the caster correction. And yeah, it was squirrely at higher speeds. After I did the caster correction driving required less work.

It took me longer to install the caster correction than it did for me to install the struts and springs. The original rubber caster bushing was extremely hard to remove even with a press.

Did you do J's, also? If so, how did you correct caster? Which bushings or plates did you use? Do you know what your caster reading is after correction?

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Rallyroo]

Did you do J's, also? If so, how did you correct caster? Which bushings or plates did you use? Do you know what your caster reading is after correction?

Thanks for the feedback!

Ah, you went with J's for a big lift. I went with a small lift of 2.5" inches with OME 2.5" Heavies. And caster correction was just a caster bushing replacement.

 

[DirtyRice Joe]

Ah, you went with J's for a big lift. I went with a small lift of 2.5" inches with OME 2.5" Heavies. And caster correction was just a caster bushing replacement.

Yeah, I went with J's mainly because of weight (frt & rr bumpers, winch, skid plates, sliders). As it sits now, 3* bushings will have me at 1* positive caster (1* out of min factory spec), but less likelihood of incurring driveline issues (I don't have any now). 5* plates will put me at 3* positive (middle of spec), but will increase likelihood of driveline issues. I'd rather not drop $500 on a new double cardan drive shaft. Decisions, decisions...