Builds My first '40 and the venture (14 Viewers)

[wngrog]

Should a consumer have to augment a product to have it perform as it was intended? Especially with something as essential as suspension in an automobile?

Nolan, that’s awesome you’ve had great success with your Dobinson’s experience, some of us haven’t. I’m 50/50 so I know they can be good. But my experience with my 40 springs has been terrible, both with the product and the “support”.
There were also several folks at SAS that were less than pleased. Maybe you get springs from a special pile?

I truly think had a bad/funky batch and won’t admit to it even when they kind of did to me in an email.

The lame thing is not standing by their product, I have emails where I was told I’d need to heat and bend my springs to work right, that that is what they were going to do in house and then that they never said those things later in the same thread.

I’ve essentially wasted $1,000 and countless hours on these springs.

The only reason I keep responding is because different people keep tagging me in this post. I know I’ve said what I’ve said. I even showed pics where the only truck here that had the military leaf hitting the frame was an OME equipped truck out of the 3 examples.

I’m not trying to carry any companies water. I’ll assure you but if I get tagged I feel I should respond.

 

[wngrog]

Picked up one of my projects today and looked at the springs. There was a gap on both sides. It does have a driver side lean though.

 

[OlYellr]

It's been a while. Coming up in the next series of post/updates, I'm calling it "Resurrecting the backbone of Adventure"

As mentioned a while ago, have a crack in frame by rear fixed pin perch on passenger side. The time is now to get this addressed. Was at Rus's and showing him what I have etc, and basically grounded Yellr back in September. Yellr spent time just resting on lift lately to take weight off.

Anyway - going to fix the passenger side and do same to drive side - and have a plan to fix more - breaking this into phases based on other planned work. Goal is to get this solid and safe and back on road.

pict of fixed pin (this is common stress point - I think I posted a video of Jayson in AU fixing his).

This is what it looks like from the other side now.

Will map out the plan of attack and what removing the gas tank exposed too later on.

 

[65swb45]

It's been a while. Coming up in the next series of post/updates, I'm calling it "Resurrecting the backbone of Adventure"

As mentioned a while ago, have a crack in frame by rear fixed pin perch on passenger side. The time is now to get this addressed. Was at Rus's and showing him what I have etc, and basically grounded Yellr back in September. Yellr spent time just resting on lift lately to take weight off.

Anyway - going to fix the passenger side and do same to drive side - and have a plan to fix more - breaking this into phases based on other planned work. Goal is to get this solid and safe and back on road.

pict of fixed pin (this is common stress point - I think I posted a video of Jayson in AU fixing his).
View attachment 3777783


This is what it looks like from the other side now.

View attachment 3777782

Will map out the plan of attack and what removing the gas tank exposed too later on.

IIRC, both @DSRTRDR and I have cracked our frames in the same place. I don’t remember how she had hers fixed, but I welded a vertical gusset for mine, and trussed it to the rocker panel slider as well.

 

[OlYellr]

IIRC, both @DSRTRDR and I have cracked our frames in the same place. I don’t remember how she had hers fixed, but I welded a vertical gusset for mine, and trussed it to the rocker panel slider as well.

Thanks! Going to reinforce from back side & and gusset - also drill the crack lead (like drywall) etc. More details hopefully this weekend on the various issues and game plan(s). The how will be the part. With the newer 79+ frame, the body mount perches are in the way from gussets you can buy and put on (I think I posted a picture of the ones I got - and now won't be using if anybody wants one for older frame/body mount style).

 

[OlYellr]

First step is to take stuff apart to keep the excitement down. IE remove gas tank from welding area.

Looks like mouse was nesting by the filler hose after removing the back cover.

The filler hose has splits/cracks. NLA - but City Racer has an aftermarket solution for that hose (part # 77217-60015).

 

[RevISK]

hello onion.

 

[OlYellr]

hello onion.

I like to think of it as "layers of character".

 

[OlYellr]

Tonight I got @Plains Cruiser's Scarlet Chariot to take to Full Circle RG (Rus) and keep Yellr company in the am.

 

[OlYellr]

Some shots along the way.

Here are the fixed spring perches and you can see where the military wraps have been rubbing now that the rear axle is removed…

Driver side rear,

And

Passenger side

And

 

[RevISK]

stupid Dobinson's junk

 

[OlYellr]

stupid Dobinson's junk

Yeah. This is just the rear. Fronts are the same

 

[OlYellr]

I got the flip kits from Dave @lcwizard - since taking the rear apart for sure - better to used new ubolts if possible.

He also has replacement bolts and nuts- bought enough for front and back.

Thanks Dave!

 

[OlYellr]

Some shots along the way.

Here are the fixed spring perches and you can see where the military wraps have been rubbing now that the rear axle is removed…

Driver side rear,
View attachment 3778452
And
View attachment 3778453

Passenger side
View attachment 3778454
And
View attachment 3778455

The passenger side is where the crack is. Not saying the wraps made it crack- there was evidence of a small fissure to keep an eye on. But I believe the springs constant contact/stress contributed to and accelerated the weakness to failure faster

 

[65swb45]

The passenger side is where the crack is. Not saying the wraps made it crack- there was evidence of a small fissure to keep an eye on. But I believe the springs constant contact/stress contributed to and accelerated the weakness to failure faster

The wraps are not the cause; they’re just annoying. The hangers are a design flaw because of how they are outboarded. IMO, they should have been designed to spread the load out over a larger vertical cross-section of the frame.

Shortly after joining Pirate 4x4 in 2003, I saw the artistry of @fc187 in gusseting spring hangers, and it was a big lightbulb moment. I don’t have a picture of the gussets on my 40 series handy, but here’s one of my 45. Simple wedges of 2” receiver tube

 

[OlYellr]

The wraps are not the cause; they’re just annoying. The hangers are a design flaw because of how they are outboarded. IMO, they should have been designed to spread the load out over a larger vertical cross-section of the frame.

Shortly after joining Pirate 4x4 in 2003, I saw the artistry of @fc187 in gusseting spring hangers, and it was a big lightbulb moment. I don’t have a picture of the gussets on my 40 series handy, but here’s one of my 45. Wedges of 2” receiver tube

View attachment 3778505

Thanks! Was thinking something similar- then my mind goes to “make sure 100% sealed so water/muck doesn’t camp”

More as it evolves

 

[RevISK]

B- why did you decide not to use the gussets you bought?

 

[OlYellr]

B- why did you decide not to use the gussets you bought?

They are meant for older frame. Not meant for our 79+ body mount- they won’t fit between bracket.

should be like…. So if anyone is interested n these, let me know.

 

[OlYellr]

I - this is the metal to slice up.

Rus is going to use his plasma cutter to make the parts.

If enough, can make you one since your the same

 

[RevISK]

Ah so.

Bummer on the other ones.
Will be curious to see what Rus comes up with.