Terrain Tamer parabolics installed (3 Viewers)

[Trollhole]

I'm really curious about these. I currently have what I *think* is an old CCOT "Hell for Stout" 4" lift on my 40, judging by the buckboard ride and beefy shackles. I sorta dig it's current stance, and don't completely hate the 'loominum wheels and 33x12.50 BFGs. Will these new parabolic springs and matched shackles match the rough height of my current setup? Will I need to go back to pizza cutters so they tuck under the fenders if it flexes, or add long bumpstops to keep the tires from knocking the body filler out of whats left of the body?

View attachment 3846978

I can look at your shackle angle in the front and tell it's going to be a rough ride. Using taller shackles makes the shackle angle almost straight up and down. That will almost always produce a rough ride. A shorter stockish shackle will give you way more shackle angle and allow them to articulate more forward instead of up. This really comes into play with road driving and small bumps. If you look at the shackle angles on the parabolics they have a rake to them.

 

[knuckle47]

@Trollhole This is so logical …. Additionally, is physics behind that statement…great point

 

[reklund5]

I can look at your shackle angle in the front and tell it's going to be a rough ride. Using taller shackles makes the shackle angle almost straight up and down. That will almost always produce a rough ride. A shorter stockish shackle will give you way more shackle angle and allow them to articulate more forward instead of up. This really comes into play with road driving and small bumps. If you look at the shackle angles on the parabolics they have a rake to them.

Yup, I know all that. Dialing the shackle angle on my mini truck made a world of difference in ride quality. Excellent points tho- and worth having in this thread for a comparison for those who may not be familiar. Thanks

I think that is just how CCOT packages their "kit" to get to ~ 4" of lift. Taller stiffer (but not longer) springs and giant shackles. As I said- I am not certain that is what is on my 40- but it's an educated guess based on a little research. I bought it as it sits.

My main question was: will the parabolic springs provide adequate clearance for the wheels and tires currently on it? The photos I've seen have vehicles setup on pizza cutters, not the wider wheels and tires that were popular in the 80s/90s like on my 40.

 

[volklflip88]

Well I got the Terrain Tamer kit ordered. Going to be another month or so til I can install but very much looking forward to reporting back how they ride. 4" BDS lift will be coming off. Currently running 33" tires so hopefully the fitment is still good there.

 

[Grayscale]

If this is the ultimate suspension, then it seems logical to consider, dare I say, a body lift? It would be easier on the stock driveshafts, and relay rod angle. The bump-stops wouldn't have to be so extreme. You could probably get a total of four or five-inches of vertical shift of the stock fenderwell, suspension and body-lift combined. Perhaps a bit more engine cooling too? That would probably clear 33s or 35s with a favorable width / backspace. Add an aftermarket spare tire carrier if it compromises the stock look too much.

 

[sfab]

Looking forward to everyone's input who have purchased but haven't yet installed. I was originally thinking Deaver but this could be a good alternative. My truck is a daily driver so that is a component in the decision. Also not a "crawler" per se, but Arizona has rocks.

 

[sfab]

Another question for Jonathan or anyone else using the Koni Raid shocks. The O.D listed for the Koni's are 2.7". How is this with the drag link? I have Bilstein 5100's currently, which are just under 2" and it's a tight fit. Also, there are a few part #'s out there for the Koni's 40 series. If anyone could confirm these that would be helpful. l

Thanks

 

[orangefj45]

Here’s a li k to another install by one of our most prominent mud members:

Terrain Tamer Parabolic Leaf Spring Review

So a few weeks ago I was discussing some of the new things happening with @orangefj45 and him launching a US branch of Terrain Tamer. He went on to tell me he was stocked up with Parabolic kits and asked if I would give a lot a chance for my next customer build. I told him I would do him one...

forum.ih8mud.com

Hope that helps.

Georg @ Valley Hybrids & Terrain Tamer

Www.terraintamer.com

 

[85roktoy]

How about using a “slightly” longer shackle to achieve a little more lift from the kit? Seems this may negatively impact the ride but how much is the question?

I would have already purchased the kit but would like to see another inch or so of lift.

If the kit is dramatically better than anything else it seems an inch or so of height wouldn’t affect it that much but I’m no expert that’s for sure…

 

[orangefj45]

How about using a “slightly” longer shackle to achieve a little more lift from the kit? Seems this may negatively impact the ride but how much is the question?

I would have already purchased the kit but would like to see another inch or so of lift.

If the kit is dramatically better than anything else it seems an inch or so of height wouldn’t affect it that much but I’m no expert that’s for sure…

To gain an additional inch of lift with any conventional leaf spring setup, you’d need to run a shackle that’s 2 inches longer than the unit its replacing.
That will affect geometry and affect handling negatively so it’s not something we’d ever recommend or suggest.
Suspension manufacturers, like Terrain Tamer, spend a considerable amount of time, money and effort developing these kits. Any modifications to these kits aren’t advised or recommended.

Georg

Branch manager @ Terrain Tamer North America

 

[knuckle47]

I was going to say that people a whole lot smarter than me in this field spent the time figuring this stuff out. For me to assume I can get it better goes against convention, of course it took 60 years to finally figure that out. Before that, I always knew better.
I’d taken geometry twice in High school and screwed it up twice.

 

[Wasatch Jay]

Any modifications to these kits aren’t advised or recommended.

Georg

Branch manager @ Terrain Tamer North America

Georg,

I've been kicking around the idea of installing these on my SOA modified FJ40. But I would want to remove the two short leafs from the spring packs to minimize the height gain. In light of what I cut from your previous post, would you please comment on that idea.

Thanks.

 

[orangefj45]

Georg,

I've been kicking around the idea of installing these on my SOA modified FJ40. But I would want to remove the two short leafs from the spring packs to minimize the height gain. In light of what I cut from your previous post, would you please comment on that idea.

Thanks.

Parabolics ( no matter the manufacturer ) are NOT recommended for SOA setups.

Georg @ Valley Hybrids

 

[Wasatch Jay]

Parabolics ( no matter the manufacturer ) are NOT recommended for SOA setups.

Georg @ Valley Hybrids

Thank you for the quick answer.

 

[orangefj45]

Thank you for the quick answer.

You bet!
I appreciate you asking the question and reaching out before ordering parts that might not work for your application.
This is a prime example of why I like to have conversations when customers order parts. That way everybody is on the same page and we can make sure you get the right parts the first time.

Georg @ Valley Hybrids & Terrain Tamer

 

[RevISK]

Georg is the best…

 

[Wasatch Jay]

You bet!
I appreciate you asking the question and reaching out before ordering parts that might not work for your application.
This is a prime example of why I like to have conversations when customers order parts. That way everybody is on the same page and we can make sure you get the right parts the first time.

Georg @ Valley Hybrids & Terrain Tamer

Georg,

There's a quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the satisfaction of low price". I think that's every bit as true today. But if you substitute "customer service" for "quality", I think it's equally true.

Customer service is crucially important, and you and many other 'Mud members/vendors, get that. We are fortunate to have you!

 

[charliemeyer007]

"Those that will trade liberty for security will soon have neither!"
“A Republic, Madam, if you can keep it.”