Improving suspension flex with stock height- shocks

[peteinjp]

I have a bj44 and the springs are specific to that truck. There are no kits for the rear that I am aware of. That said I'm not interested in lifting the truck much if any at this point. I run 32" tires and they just clear with the stock setup.

But it did occur to me that I may be able to increase droop with longer travel shocks. The original shocks are still fitted and the ride leaves a bit to be desired. Kinda thinking to give the bilsteins a shot. What billies can I use with stock springs? Can I get more droop with them?

Other thoughts on improving flex with out lift?

Pete

 

[akifjanjua]

Post up a picture.. will give a better idea of the suspension condition..

 

[akifjanjua]

btw.. 44s share the same rear springs as 45s.. you should be able to source 45 springs

 

[Gruntled]

DON'T get the 5100 Bilsteins if you want more travel. Get the 5165 series, part # 25-187885, which have the same compress plus 1 inch more down for the front. The rear 5165 series part # 25-176115
would be the same compress plus 1 inch down or part # 25-177510 5/8 more compress with plus 2 inch down. The 5165 shocks are $189.95 each.

Note that I have modified an email from EShocks.com for the above information. Good luck, and remember, measure twice, buy once!!! (unlike me).

 

[peteinjp]

How much more droop can I have before I start running into inversion problems?

P

 

[bikersmurf]

Somewhat longer shackles will help to increase flex with minimal lift. On the front you'll need degree wedges. On the rear you should be ok with out them. Adding an extra inch in length will only lift the truck 1/2" and will allow for increased droop.

In the front, you'll likely need to raise the top of the shock mount.

 

[srgould41]

How do you know your shocks are the limiting factor? Have you flexed out the suspension with the shocks off and measured the distance between the mount points? You might start with that procedure (jacking opposite corners at same time to get the most flex) to get a baseline before making any mods.

Good luck.

 

[peteinjp]

I just assumed that the shocks were the limiting factor- obviously incorrectly. My other cars (not trucks) are all limited by shock travel. I'll have to head out to where I flexed it out before and disconnect the shocks and give it another shot.


Thanks-

Pete

How do you know your shocks are the limiting factor? Have you flexed out the suspension with the shocks off and measured the distance between the mount points? You might start with that procedure (jacking opposite corners at same time to get the most flex) to get a baseline before making any mods.

Good luck.

 

[srgould41]

Post up your results. Love to see what they show. I got my springs to give me about 1" to 2" more down travel by opening up the clamps. I welded some steel to increase the length of the clamps above the springs, flexed the suspension to see where the springs now moved to, marked that position, then drilled and inserted bolts with sleeves just below where I marked. The bolts will keep the leaves from over extending.

The rear was way easier to find shocks for since the angle reduces the overall shock travel requirements. The fronts were a different story. I could not find shocks that fit the compressed and extended length so I had to install Ford shock towers.

I just assumed that the shocks were the limiting factor- obviously incorrectly. My other cars (not trucks) are all limited by shock travel. I'll have to head out to where I flexed it out before and disconnect the shocks and give it another shot.


Thanks-

Pete

 

[srgould41]

By the way, where in Japan are you? Love the country. Lived on Okinawa for 3 1/3 years and married an Okinawan (24 years ago now). Only traveled a little on the mainland, but we hope to do more travel there in the near future.

 

[peteinjp]

Funny- I used to live in Crown Hill just up from Ballard.

I'm up in Toyama. Been here for several years. My wife is Japanese. I have not been down to Okinawa but I'm really looking forward to getting down there. If you come up this way get in touch!

Pete

 

[Mark W]

You can not invert stock spring/shackle setups. If you do not modify anything else, it is doubtful that different shocks will affect you travel. Bump stops limit it upwards and spring flex limits it downwards.


Mark...

 

[peteinjp]

Ok- I'm getting a good education here. Thanks guys.

Please bear with my newbness...

So- I want to see what I can do with the stock hanger locations. Is there a way to modify the stock springs for more droop without much lift or is lift basically necessary to get more flex?

Pete

 

[srgould41]

There is really not an easy way to accomplish that. The stock springs are built stiff. Longer springs are generally more flexy so I installed 60 series springs on the rear of my rig, however they don't flex that much more than the originals did. Then I had to deal with the spring shackle perches, new drive shafts, new shock mounts, etc. Spring over gives you great flex with stock springs, but then you are 5" or more higher and it costs some bucks to do it. Cheaper to buy a spring under lift, but it won't perform as well.

One option is Alcan. They can custom make springs for you and I have read that they can have more flex than stock springs. I priced out a set of 4 last month, about $950.

 

[Mark W]

Actually, the stock springs are pretty soft. Softer than any aftermarket spring out there. Usually when people think they are stiff it is because they are worn out and hitting the bump stops... or they have some overly stiff shock (like a Rancho 5000 under there.

One easy way to gain some droop is to open up the spring wraps on the leafs so that when you droop out, only the main leaf it holding the axle up and the rest are not interfering with droop. At that point you *might* need to get some longer shocks to take advantage of it. Flex it out and see.

"Lift" springs do not in any way garuantee more droop.


Mark...

 

[camcruiser13]

I was going to say the same. I switched from lift springs back to the stock. Way softer. I went soa

 

[srgould41]

Thanks for setting me straight Mark. I agree with opening the clamps, to a point. Look at post 9 above for what I did to my spring clamps.

Actually, the stock springs are pretty soft. Softer than any aftermarket spring out there. Usually when people think they are stiff it is because they are worn out and hitting the bump stops... or they have some overly stiff shock (like a Rancho 5000 under there.

One easy way to gain some droop is to open up the spring wraps on the leafs so that when you droop out, only the main leaf it holding the axle up and the rest are not interfering with droop. At that point you *might* need to get some longer shocks to take advantage of it. Flex it out and see.

"Lift" springs do not in any way garuantee more droop.


Mark...

 

[peteinjp]

Well the rear springs that I have are already longer than a 40. The rear springs are for 1/2 ton load- which my truck rarely sees- so I'm thinking of taking out the bottom leaves and popping an add-a-leaf in place to keep the height. However I suppose this will not have much if any affect on the droop.

I'm going to see what I can do with this info on the springs I have for the moment. I'll get back to you guys when I get something figured out. I'm considering alcan but I'll learn more just seeing what I can do with what I have. Not to mention that its way cheaper.....

Pete

 

[Mark W]

Well the rear springs that I have are already longer than a 40. The rear springs are for 1/2 ton load- which my truck rarely sees- so I'm thinking of taking out the bottom leaves and popping an add-a-leaf in place to keep the height. However I suppose this will not have much if any affect on the droop.

I'm going to see what I can do with this info on the springs I have for the moment. I'll get back to you guys when I get something figured out. I'm considering alcan but I'll learn more just seeing what I can do with what I have. Not to mention that its way cheaper.....

Pete

Removing the 10 inch (or so) long bottom leaf an putting an add-s-leaf in will stiffen the spring, raise the truck some and not gain any droop at all.


Mark...