Build Moonshine - A Build Thread

[Hojack]

You’ll have to that beast out west and come to my new property near Crater Lake. Gonna build a cabin in the woods

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Yeah, well @boots4 was a big inspiration to me for this build, and he played a large part in getting your truck together, so that makes sense

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I got the lower shock mounts worked over and tacked in place last night. Shock is set up with ~1/4" more travel than the theoretical maximum bumpstop travel. That's how far the bumpstop can travel IF there were no inserts present. This means there's no way the shock could bottom out before the bumpstop unless the bumpstop inserts evaporate (not possible) AND the rubber/plastic portions of the bumpstop completely deteriorate. This should work beautifully, maximixing shock travel both in compression and droop. 3.25" compression shock travel and ~10.75" droop shock travel.

The only thing that's bothering me is that the springs don't have more arch. Part of me wants to put a long add-a-leaf in there, and part of me says it'll be fine.

 

[Hojack]

I got the lower shock mounts worked over and tacked in place last night. Shock is set up with ~1/4" more travel than the theoretical maximum bumpstop travel. That's how far the bumpstop can travel IF there were no inserts present. This means there's no way the shock could bottom out before the bumpstop unless the bumpstop inserts evaporate (not possible) AND the rubber/plastic portions of the bumpstop completely deteriorate. This should work beautifully, maximixing shock travel both in compression and droop. 3.25" compression shock travel and ~10.75" droop shock travel.

The only thing that's bothering me is that the springs don't have more arch. Part of me wants to put a long add-a-leaf in there, and part of me says it'll be fine.

View attachment 2069843

View attachment 2069844

What were those springs from originally?

 

[Hojack]

My rear pack moved to the front has 7 that includes a long leaf I added to the pack. Has an arch and rides nicely.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

It's a rear FJ60 or FJ62 pack I bought a number of years ago, with 8 leaves. What leaf did you add?

 

[Hojack]

It's a rear FJ60 or FJ62 pack I bought a number of years ago, with 8 leaves. What leaf did you add?

In my thread but bought it from Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters
OME long add a leaf.
Our weight should be about the same. The springs must be worn.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

100% they're worn.

Thanks for chiming in. That pic you posted might push me over the edge. I'm going to reach out to Kurt for a quote.

Thanks man!

 

[Hojack]

@cruiseroutfit

 

[GLTHFJ60]

View attachment 2069898
@cruiseroutfit

That's a D2XL leaf? You put one of those in each front pack?

 

[cruisermatt]

Why not try re-arching a few of the springs in the existing packs? You can do it yourself with your press brake. Sure, they won’t last as long as a new add a leaf but they’ll at least tell you if it’s a step in the right direction without cost (besides your time)

 

[Hojack]

That's a D2XL leaf? You put one of those in each front pack?

Yes. Wire wheeled all the leafs and painted and added it to the pack. It was a perfect fit for the stock leafs.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Why not try re-arching a few of the springs in the existing packs? You can do it yourself with your press brake. Sure, they won’t last as long as a new add a leaf but they’ll at least tell you if it’s a step in the right direction without cost (besides your time)

Pulling leafs is a PITA. I'd rather just put a new leaf in now. They're pretty cheap.

EDIT: $27 from EGCS, they're local to me.

 

[Hojack]

I didn’t think mine were that bad to separate but your look possibly rusted together. Chain-vice worked great.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

No, I don't mean pulling the pack apart is hard, I mean pulling it out of the truck is a pain. I'd rather fix it for good now rather than find time to do it right later

 

[cruisermatt]

Pulling leafs is a PITA.

Weakling!

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Hope everyone had a good labor day. I was out of town for most of it, but got a bit done. Hopefully the new leafs are in tomorrow so I can get this buttoned up.

 

[Hojack]

Looks good Johnny. Get Moonshine done before Hurricane Dorian arrives.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

100% copying what @Hojack did on his truck, I bought a pair of D2XL OME add-a-leaf and put them in the front pack. My local ARB dealer, East coast gear supply, was able to get me a pair in a week. I picked the leaves up from their shop, for $61 out the door. Damn cheap imo. I did drop cruiser outfitters a line, but they were more expensive, and likely would have taken longer, just based on where I'm located relative to them.

Anyway, I picked up the leaves this morning and got to work inbetween calls. Added the long add a leaf, and removed the bottom two short leaves, for a total of seven leaves in my front packs. She's finished up now, has a decent arch in the springs, and sits about 1.5" higher in the front than before. Hopefully with the bumps in there now, these springs will last another 5+ years without wearing out.

Thanks again to @Hojack for the spring advice. Test drive tonight.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Yeah, like a completely different truck. No bouncing, no excessive body roll, no sway with lane changes, no oscillation over highway bumps at 80+ mph. Total win.

EDIT: I think I need to reduce the bumpstop travel. Suspect that with two foam inserts it won't compress enough to fully utilize the shock.