Suspension kit arrived....

[spressomon]

So what's the difference between the OME 866 and 863? On the Slee site they're both listed under the Heavy Load Kits.

I would just plan on using the N101/N133 shocks (whichever is the rear #) so I shouldn't have the unseating problem with the 866 spring, right?

I plan no immediate or near-term mods like a rear or front bumper, just will occasionally load the LC up with camping gear, etc.

So far I've been thinking I'd go with the 865 Medium load with the heavy load shocks...

#1 the 866 is a "progressive rate spring"...and forgetting about the paper specs for the spring rates for these two springs...in actual use (I have used both plus the 865) the 863 is stiffer and taller. The problem I had with the 866 is the softer coil section (part of the "progressive design") would totally collapse and then you are left with an effectively shorter spring to do all the work: I didn't like the 866 at all. Although there are others here that like the 866. You are correct in as much as I know...whith the N101 there is no need to anchor the springs (although it wouldn't hurt to do it either). If you are not going to add rear bumper/drawers/or alot of extra weight in the back I would recommend the 865's. And the 863's on my rig are not perfect either...ideally for my rig I need a slightly stiffer spring...but Christo (SleeOffroad) is working on that fix!



One last thing: If you use the 'Search' feature you will find all kinds of information regarding these springs.



Oh yea...welcome to 'MUD

 

[bluecruiser]

The new onroad ride is awesome..a lot tighter while turning and a lot less brake diving from the front end..I am ordering some new bump stops hopefully tomorrow (one of my originals was missing from the base plate) Then I will get some 2 inch square tubing for an extension and put them on...Then I can finally take it offroad and take some better pics..

 

[Greg B]

The new onroad ride is awesome..a lot tighter while turning and a lot less brake diving from the front end..I am ordering some new bump stops hopefully tomorrow (one of my originals was missing from the base plate) Then I will get some 2 inch square tubing for an extension and put them on...Then I can finally take it offroad and take some better pics..

Bluecruiser,
You don't need two inch spacers for your bumpstops. Since you are running 295's like me, you can stuff a lot more tire into the wheel well than the the guys running 315's. You only need a 1/2 inch bumpstop spacer to keep the N74L's from over-compressing. If you stick 2 inch spacers in there, you're losing an inch and a half of suspension travel for nothing.

 

[bluecruiser]

Bluecruiser,
You don't need two inch spacers for your bumpstops. Since you are running 295's like me, you can stuff a lot more tire into the wheel well than the the guys running 315's. You only need a 1/2 inch bumpstop spacer to keep the N74L's from over-compressing. If you stick 2 inch spacers in there, you're losing an inch and a half of suspension travel for nothing.

Even with the n74L's, I only need 1/2 inch spacers??? If so let me know....Thanks

 

[macneill]

Nice! Looks great!

 

[Greg B]

Even with the n74L's, I only need 1/2 inch spacers??? If so let me know....Thanks

Yes, with N74L's and 33" tires (285, 295, etc.) you only need half inch spacers to keep the N74L's from over-compressing. I ran this exact setup for several days in Moab with no problems. It works great. It gives you 2.1 inches of additional travel over the N101's.

The only reason you would need 2 inch spacers is for running 35's (315's) to keep the tires from rubbing on wheel wells, bumpers, etc. The 2 inch spacers are required no matter which shocks you are running. The issue is the larger tire making contact with the body. The only way around this is to go with a body lift to stuff the tire.

 

[Greg B]

Bluecruiser,

How goes the spring retainers? I have my 863's retained at the bottom by welding some steel over the spring perch and also below the perch so that it wraps accross the bottom of the spring. But I haven't done anything with the top perch yet. I'm curious what you end up doing. I can't decide if I'm going to mess with the top perches and put my 866's back in or if I'm going to just buy some 860's. Post up some pics when you get those top retainers done. I'm curious how the 866's will behave when retained top and bottom.

 

[bluecruiser]

We bent some 3/16 steel for bottom perches...will bolt on tomorrow thru that hole in the bottom of the perch...Have not really looked at top yet...will tomorrow though...I will take some pics tomorrow...GregB, do you have any pics of your bottom retainers?

 

[bluecruiser]

Does anyone have pics of how compressed the coils get at maximum articulation? I noticed my retainer could interfere with coil on the bottom if the coils compress real low.

Another thing I noticed today is that my brake lines don't connect above the diff like the pictures of Shotts cruiser..Maybe because mine is a 99 vs. his 01...The only tube I have going up or down is the diff breather tube...Anybody else notice this? if so where do I extend the lines..if at all??

Thanks

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Does anyone have pics of how compressed the coils get at maximum articulation? I noticed my retainer could interfere with coil on the bottom if the coils compress real low.

Another thing I noticed today is that my brake lines don't connect above the diff like the pictures of Shotts cruiser..Maybe because mine is a 99 vs. his 01...The only tube I have going up or down is the diff breather tube...Anybody else notice this? if so where do I extend the lines..if at all??

Thanks

Because of how the spring flexes you need to retain it over the axle toward the center. The spring stays close to the perch in this spot. Look at the pic. I retained the spring on the perches RIGHT side (this pic was before the retainer):

Retainer: