Help needed getting the rear springs correct

[NWForester]

I would like to direct this question to all those that have tried different rear spring combinations...

I have tried several different spring options now and am still searching for the "ideal" setup. What I would like to avoid is too much more trial and error, so I am appealing to the collective wisdom of MUD.

My truck sat at about ~21" from the center of the hub to the fender when purchased. I then put 30mm spacers on and arrived at my ideal rear height at ~22".

In it's current and final state I have a dual swing out rear bumper with attached spare tire, sliders, and drawers.

The factory springs were thrown out and replaced with an alternating (I keep trying to find to right combo) OME 2862 then SLEE heavies. The SLEE heavies are a bit too tall/stiff (~22-1/2") and the OME 2862 (with a 30mm spacer on the tall side and 40mm on the short side) is a bit too short/soft (~21").

I have scrutinized the OME spring tables and have no better idea, so I appeal to the group. I would like to be around 22" hub to fender with a spring rate that is somewhat in between to 2862 and SLEE heavy. Who has been down this road already?

Cheers

 

[RobRed]

insufficient information.

Weight is the key factor - what are you carrying? Do you have steel bumper and swing outs? Etc

 

[NWForester]

I did mention a dual swing out bumper with spare tire, sliders, and drawers... but admittedly I don't know the exact weight. I have been meaning to put the truck on a scale for some time just to get the ideal tire air pressure sorted after ditching the passenger tires for load range E truck tires. I'll get over to a scale and post back here the axle weights and hopefully improve the clarity of my query.

 

[RobRed]

Sorry if i missed your description - sometimes my brain gets going after my fingers.

Sounds like you are loaded pretty well.... 2863 with 303001 torsion bars. I'd run extend sway bar links to smooth the ride.

 

[Kofoed]

Factory spring rate is 170 lbs/inch. Then compare the free heights and rates of the OME and you can get close, base on the ride o your existing springs.

I think you might be headed to OME 863

 

[NWForester]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

RobRed: I've read your posts many times. I appreciate the documentation. I didn't mention anything beyond the rear springs, but I also have the OME torsion bars installed as well as longer rear sway bar links. Once I arrive at my ideal height I will fabricate the longer links for the front.

Kofoed: I haven't paid the 2863's any attention, though I don't have a good reason...

I'll put the OME spring table here for reference. Thanks Cruiser Outfitters.

Cruiser Outfitters

I guess my uncertainty comes from only having information on factory and OME stuff. Does anyone have any numbers for the SLEE heavies so that they can be compared to the OME stuff?

 

[RobRed]

My shorter OME 100 series spring list Common OME Rear Spring Specifications

Slee doesn't seem to want to share the technical details of their springs. Because of that I have been using OME.

 

[NWForester]

Slee doesn't seem to want to share the technical details of their springs.

It would be great to know how they compare to the OME stuff in an apples-apples comparison.

 

[fireball]

I am almost certain that the 863 is very similar spring rate to the slee heavys and about an inch taller.

 

[WarWagon]

I have 863 and they are definitely taller than the 865 I used to have.

 

[RobRed]

I have 863 and they are definitely taller than the 865 I used to have.

20 and 30mm taller free length actually.

 

[catz]

I'm on 2866 progressive with single swing out with spare on one side and 20l Jerry on the other, slider, half drawer and around 100lbs of gears measure 22" from center hub to fender

 

[OverLand Cruisers]

I couldn't be happier with the 868s in our 80 and 100, it is worth noting that they're both pretty heavy (80 = 6800 lbs. and 100 = 7,200 lbs.).
Both trucks are running Slee dual swing outs, fuel and/or water cans often, bumpers, sliders, drawers, fridges, two spares, etc...

After trying the entire list of OME springs I realized that the super-heavies are best for my application.

With anything lighter than 868s the rigs would "unload" when off camber and headed downhill, uncool with a tall rig and an RTT.
High speed road manners improved as well, way easier to drive in big cross winds.

I know most folks thing 864s are as heavy as you'd ever want but again our rigs stay loaded.

Cheers!

 

[RobRed]

@pbr streetgang I'm eye balling 868s (from 864) right now... What are your impressions from 864 to 868 changes?

 

[NWForester]

Well, I just put the truck on the scale.

Front: 3160
Rear: 3600
Gross: 6760

That's heavier than I would have guessed and it would be easy to add 240lbs of gear for an even 7k.

Does anyone have experience with the 2863's and this type of weight that can comment on hub to fender measurements?

 

[OverLand Cruisers]

@pbr streetgang I'm eye balling 868s (from 864) right now... What are your impressions from 864 to 868 changes?

Night and day for the better in both rigs.

Much more controlled in slow off camber stuff, yet without any loss in articulation.

High speed dirt roads can be driven properly without much body roll or other drama. The trucks really sit flat when cornering or going through/over cattle guards, whoops, etc... Even fully loaded they won't bottom out.

I'm entirely sold.

 

[OverLand Cruisers]

Well, I just put the truck on the scale.

Front: 3160
Rear: 3600
Gross: 6760

That's heavier than I would have guessed and it would be easy to add 240lbs of gear for an even 7k.

Does anyone have experience with the 2863's and this type of weight that can comment on hub to fender measurements?

I ran 863s with about that same amount of weight and it wasn't enough, I upgraded to 864s and it was better. However after adding the Slee dual swing out and second spare the 864s weren't enough, prompting the 868s.

 

[RobRed]

Night and day for the better in both rigs.

Much more controlled in slow off camber stuff, yet without any loss in articulation.

High speed dirt roads can be driven properly without much body roll or other drama. The trucks really sit flat when cornering or going through/over cattle guards, whoops, etc... Even fully loaded they won't bottom out.

I'm entirely sold.

Good feedback - Esp since I already ordered 868s

 

[NWForester]

I spent some quality time with the spring charts and the assumption that the Slee heavies fall between the 2863 and 2864... 2863 springs are on their way.

I'm growing my collection.

 

[Bomar]

I had 863s and went to slee heavys and have been very happy.

Slee rear and a 40 gal aux tank