Mark W
What spring are you running under the back of your FJ40? The shackle angle looks great but I can imagine the squat when those jugs are loaded. Any difference? My FJ 40 squats when the 2 cans are full.
Great idea on the latch system.
Right now I have FJ45 wagon springs under the rear and I run overload coils when needed.
But....
edit.... The close ups I posted last show the rig sitting empty and with the overload coils still installed after a long heavily loaded run.... it sits a couple of inches lower when i remove the coils... which is how I use it for a day trip if there is a light load.
I am going to 54 inch chevys on both ends soon... I hhave wiped out two sets of FJ55s rears under the front end and I am tired of that
I am going to strip the overloads out of a set of 1ton chevy pickup trucks rears... and the add/replace main leaves until I get it where I want it. I am looking for less height but less variation in height as the load changes... and still keep it nice and soft. The long shackles at mild angles that I favor are a big help in keeping it soft, as will be the longer length of the springs... Just have to see how it all falls together in reality
Our use of the rigs puts a LOT of stress on the springs... Lots of weight, long distance, overall rough terrain, higher speeds over much of it, and enough very rough terrain that articulation can not be ignored. It is tough to make a spring perform and last too.
If the chevy springs will not do the trick, then I will move to an idea I have been pondering but not yet tried...air cylinders mounted like a second shock at each corner to take some of the load when the rig is very heavy and to create load on the springs when the rig is light. This *should* work great, but will add complexity which is always nice to avoid.
Mark...
