Springs and Shocks

[loykd]

(Not that anyone cares since this topic has been beaten to near death recently, but CVC this might be something to add to the FAQs when you get around to it.)

I changed my springs and shocks this weekend. Installed Old Man Emu N45/N46 shocks and 751/762 springs. Got about 1" of lift in the front and 2" of lift in the rear. (Expedition Exchange has a good table showing the spring lengths on their website.) What a difference in the ride!

Most easily overlooked tool (present company excluded, of course): bottle jack. No spring compressor required.

BEFORE / AFTER:

[TwisteD90]

You see, running the HD 762 in the rear makes the D90 sites higher in the back. Are you planning to carry a heavy load in the back?

[chrisvonc]

Ken, looks good. You can most likely even out if you move the spare back to a rear carrier.

[dmarchand]

Sweet Ken! We won't have tpo work so hard to spot you... ;)


I bet putting Zach in the back will even the load. :grin

But seriously, by the time you get your gear back there, any tools and parts. It will even out. I carry so much crap in the back of mine, I had to add 1 inch spacers below the HD.

[Mike Hippert]

Looks Good Ken! Now you need to test it out!:thumbs

HMMM you may need to do something up front if your new bumper is heavier then whats up there now. I tried to tell you 4".:grin

[Mike Hippert]

Ken is this the look you were going for?
http://www.expeditionexchange.com/action7/750180.jpg

[loykd]

Dave, Funny, but now Zach has a bit more trouble jumping into the truck. He puts his fromt paws on the bumper and looks to me for a boost. You put ANOTHER 1" below your springs? Your truck doesn't look that tall...

Mike, Those trucks (and hardware) are cool. Bumpers suck though.

[dmarchand]

Ken is this the look you were going for?

That's some tough love Mike... :tounge

Ken, you would be surprised how heavy those rubber boots are. But seriously, I carry a ridiculous amount of gear back there. I need to lighten things up.

[Mike Hippert]

Be careful if you put some spacers up front, when I took the winch off up front my headlights pointed at the sky and blinded anyone coming the opposite direction so I had to re-aim them. So do you like the ride better now? We really need to test those springs out.:grin

[chrisvonc]

I ran some great trails I had not been on before at Paragon yesterday that would be perfect for testing those out.

BTW, for those who were at last falls D-90 gathering, Rabbit Run and into Sleepy Hollow look much differant with sunlight beaming on it. :)

[dmarchand]

Hmph. I would love to go tackle those trails first next time. Nothing worse than having to rush through them to get out of the park!

[TDI Guy]

Looks great Ken. aren't you getting that RW bumper and a winch too? Your truck will look great. I might be wrong but after the winch and bumper, wouldnt the 764's be good for the front to even it out?

[loykd]

Thanks, Randy. Yep. RW is on order and I already have a winch. I didn't realize the lift would be different front/back when I ordered. It's not uncomfortable at all, and isn't very noticeable either. But on the trails, maybe I'll just have to climb big rocks using the back tires...

[TwisteD90]

I drove a D90 with the same setup as yours and I was amazed to how comfortable it was and how good it handles on road, believe it or not but that 90 did not have any body roll on turn even w/o sway bars. However, he had installed .5" spacer in the front to level it.

That RW bumper is a big improvement over your stock and you gonna love the way it looks.

[Art Vigil]

Looks great Ken :thumbs

Which options did you go with on the Rockware bumper?

[ronward]

I'm running the same springs on my 90 with ARB and winch up front. I sit about 3/4" down in front when empty and like the looks, and appreciate the extra lift in the rear when I load for a trip.

You guys that want level trucks, do you sit rear-end low when you load for a trip? It's a matter of personal preference I know, just curious about the quest to level an empty rig.

Headed to Tellico Thursday morning!!!!!!

[loykd]

Art, Just the light bar so far and the vertical brush bar like yours. Debating about doing the wrap-around and the front shackles still. Troy was going to get me some info on what he's got lying around the shop. When I get some time, I'm going to do some more research on it. Appreciate your advice!

Ron, One nice thing about having the front lower than than the back is that I can see over the tire a little bit better. Not sure if I'm going to keep it as it is, or level it out. I too would like to hear other peoples' thoughts.

[TDI Guy]

Ken, if you do need to raise the front a little bit, you can get those rubber coated spring isolaters from EE. THey are about 3/8 each so If you add 1 on top and 1 on bottom of the spring you will get a 3/4" lift in the front. I have a set incase I need to addjust mine when its back together again.... I'm is down in front already due to the weight of the TDI.

[TwisteD90]

If you run the MD 764 in the rear on a level truck, then yes the truck will set lower if there are people in the back or big load of spare/camping stuff.

In Ken's case with the HD all around and if it's level, his D90 will take loads way much better than if you had the MD's and there is a slim chance that it will sit lower unless you put 100's and 100's of lb's in the rear.

BTW Ken, my first post was aimed to a couple of people on this board that were arguing with me about the D90 will set level if you add HD springs all the way around. Your truck looks great plus can you do me a favor and take a picture of the driver view with the spare tire on the hood. Thanks,