Honky Tonka has offered his shop again for this years vehicle inspection. He will be giving me a couple of dates to propose to the group (in October) and we can vote it down to a specific day from there. That being said, what are some things you would like to have at the inspection this year? Saturdays or Sundays better?
Vehicle Inspection Day - (Date Pending)
- Thread starter Phulcrum
- Start date
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Well a repeat of last year's awesome brisket would seem to be a must have!
I have questions about the viability of my ICON shocks, but really don't know if there's any practical way to evaluate them. I just cringe at the thought of dropping nearly $1K to have ICON rebuild them and am contemplating just replacing them altogether with a simpler (ie no external reservoir) good brand shock. I don't race the truck in the baja and question the need for external reservoir complexity and cost for more of an overlanding vehicle. Might it even be time to ditch the ICON Stage 3 suspension altogether in favor of some easier going Dobinson springs and shocks?
I have questions about the viability of my ICON shocks, but really don't know if there's any practical way to evaluate them. I just cringe at the thought of dropping nearly $1K to have ICON rebuild them and am contemplating just replacing them altogether with a simpler (ie no external reservoir) good brand shock. I don't race the truck in the baja and question the need for external reservoir complexity and cost for more of an overlanding vehicle. Might it even be time to ditch the ICON Stage 3 suspension altogether in favor of some easier going Dobinson springs and shocks?
Last year was awesome! Maybe for those that are just standing around not inspecting, we could have an area were we could work on the rigs if anyone needs assistance?
12th no good here.
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Oct-12th no bueno for me, we'll be out of town that weekend.
Later the better for me. Even into early November. I have a lot going on here.
Did you guys pick a date?
I have been using the OME shocks and heavy load springs for over 10 years and they still seem OK. I do think the springs have sagged some, could also be caused with all the weight added over time. I am considering upgrading since its time and since I want to get about 3" lift to keep gravity down while reducing the bottoming out I have on the rear and front at times when hitting dips at speed. Its fairly jarring especially the rear since I added extended bump stops to keep the tires out of the fenders. Considering the delta system arms and rear panhard lift with some combination of springs and shocks. I do not want castor bushings or bolt on plates which makes options limited to slee and delta for arms. Interesting in opinions on this. Hoping to get on a lift to inspect as well to help with this decision.
I ran the OME springs and shocks and bushings on my '95 for nearly 20 years without problem and it seemed to handle great, but to be fair that truck probably weighed about 1000# less than my '97 with its bumpers, winch, under armor, etc. I've got the Delta rear panhard bracket with adjustable rear panhard bar from some aftermarket supplier which seem to help with highway handling. The PO installed Slee castor bushings back around 2011 and they were cracked and crumbling, so I installed all new factory bushings, but had terrible castor driven oversteering - too tender and skittish on the highway. So I installed the Slee castor brackets which fixed the castor and helped the highway manners immensely. However, I really don't like that solution and intend to remove them and go with Delta radius arms, eventually. The problem with any castor correction solution will be the knock-on effect of too steep of a front driveshaft u-joint making for nasty vibrations and noise. For that I got the Tom Woods double-cardan front driveshaft which solved that problem.
I'm still unable to locate parts for my lift. I am considering swapping it for a 4 post. Unfortunately that means I don't see another brisket day in the barn in the cards for this year. 2025 inspection day should be back and better than ever. Sorry guys.
