Matt16

I was driving around near Squamish, BC and I got some photos this time. I haven't got as much flex as I would like out of the rear but the IFS wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, at about 7 inches.

I have OME coils (the ones that provide 1.5 inches lift) and the appropriate Procomp ES3000s. Is it my panhard rod or my sway bar limiting flex when I stuff one wheel and droop the other. I know what each does, but I don't know whether its the sway bar flexing, or the panhard rod straining against the links that hold the axle to frame (what are they called?).

If its a panhard rod, will a panhard rod drop bracket help at all? or does that just re-centrer the rear axle?

Marc P

Looking at this pic...I think your shock is fully extended. Longer shocks and disconnected sway bar will make it do what you want.

drew303

I second Marc

My rear shocks limit my flex a by a few inches... They're getting replaced this year anyway so im living w/ it.

tc

Yeah, I thought my ProComp ES3000's were a bit short too.

The important thing though is for the truck to be balanced. There is no reason to have a TON of travel in the rear and stock IFS in the front - as a matter of fact, it will make the truck handle worse offroad.

You should try disonnecting the front swaybar, makes the suspension work A LOT better offroad. (NOTE: leave the rear swaybar connected!)

Matt16

I'm trying to track down rod ends/ spherical rod ends/ Heim joints for swaybar discos but they are near impossible to find in Vancouver for less than $25 ea. I'm leaving the swaybar on for now. I got hit by a dumptruck on the highway this fall, so I'm doing my best to keep the shiny side up.

When I bought the ES3000's, the store I bought it from said the wouldn't limit flex at all. Guess that's not the case though. Sure wish I could get more flex out of the rear. I already have plans for BJ spacers, low-profile compression bumpstops and relaxing the T bars a bit.

Has anyone cut off the compression bumpstop bracket and remounted it a couple inches higher. I don't think the arm/ tire would bump into anything if it compressed more.

881stGenRunner

Get measurements of the shocks completely extended, then keep them off and find a loading dock or something similar to flex on (if you back up it, it will flex better). Measure the distance from shock mount to shock mount, and see if you are being limited by the shocks.

Matt16

What are some longer rear shock options? I have OME medium duty replacement springs that lifted about 1.5".

narfy

here's mine flexed up... the right rear tire is off the ground... i have the same OME900 rear coils you got, but i'm running stock shocks (replaced 6 years ago by the dealer)

Matt16

The Procomps must be OEM replacements then. I haven't unbolted and tested that they limit, but I am nearly certain they do. I still would like to hear what some people are running for rear shocks and what kind of droop they get.

Mister Willie

My rear shocks are Rust brand shocks. Covered in rust and probably shot to hell..

Matt16

Yesterday, I coated the shafts of my shocks with grease and loaded the back of the truck with about 200lbs of firewood, and a full tank of gas. I then went about crossing the truck up and jumping on the bumper until I was certain the shocks had been compressed as much as they would ever be.

The drivers side rear bumpstop is missing as it fell off. When the shock was compressed to the max, there was still 0.75" of exposed shafts which remained coated in grease. No metal to metal contact occurred even though there was no driver's side bumpstop. On the passengers side, 1.75" of shaft was exposed and cover in grease.

As mentioned earlier, I am using Pro Comp ES3000 shocks, rear part number 32151X. The specs are as follows:

Extended: 21.75"
Collapsed: 13.06"
Travel: 8.69"

As I plan on replacing the rear bumpstop, and 1.75" of shaft is exposed, I can get away using a shock with a collapsed length of 14.8" allowing just about no room for extra compression. If I could have a shock body that was 14.8", I could go with the Pro Comp 32553X:

Extended: 25.17"
Collapsed: 14.79"
Travel: 10.38"

I would gain 3.4" travel, going with this shock.

In the real world this wouldn't quite work. At some point or another, undoubtedly, one or both corners will compress more than I got them to this afternoon. This would ruin my shocks. Instead of going with Pro Comps then, Deostch Tech makes a shock with a bumpstop on the shaft. Thus I think I could run a shock that had a body that was 14.75" and not worry about it. I will be calling Doestch Tech tomorrow to ask if my assumptions are true and what shocks are available.

Fizboy

I agree that the shocks are holding back your flex.

The shocks that you have are good from 0"-1" in lift. I have the ES3000 as well. (Rear Part #326513 and Front Part #318514 that is designed for 4" lift.)

I do have Allpro 1.5" rear coils and 1.5" coil spacer giving me a 3" rear lift and then slighly cranked torsion bars. I have ok flex but I think my rear sway bar is holding me up. How ever I haven't tried my rear sway bar disconnects yet to see if that is the prob.

As for the pan hard drop bracket it is just to keep the axle centered and help keep the drive shaft from hitting the gas tank. However when you really flex, it will still hit. I will post pics soon.

Matt16

If you just built end link that were extended by 3" I think that would go a long way to solve the problem. I don't think I would want to disconnect the rear as this would cause the rear wheels to start flexing much easier than the front. Read what TC said up a couple posts. I though it was interesting.