JCIII - Mine are pretty much flat as well. How do the 100 lb. springs react when you load up the truck? Do you think you could tow a bass boat without the tail wagging the dog?

 

Yes, I think it would be fine simply because they are 14". I would think they would have a more "progressive" feel since though they have further to compress, the lighter weight makes them more supple. We've had two us in the front, my youngest son and a friend in the back, 400# of horse feed in the bed and it didn't look like it was straining at all but still with an excellent ride. If I were to have the truck loaded with more, more often, I might go with the 12/125 but as it is a 22re auto and my son's first truck, he will spend the majority of the time on and off road not loaded to capacity. Just from what we have experienced so far, the ride is just right. Not too firm, not too soft but very comfortable on road and off. It has just the right balance.

If I were building one with a trick 3.4, big gears and tires, heavy bumpers, all the bells and whistles and intended on hauling a lot of heavy stuff, I might consider going the 12/125 but that's not how we would use this truck so the 14/100's were the obvious choice for us.

 

Yeah, for me, of course, I didn't want too much rake(didn't want to have to bring up the front much if any, lol)... and when I do load it I put around 1000lb... so yeah, it's better for me. And yes, they were just fine and didn't bottom out with around 600 lbs a few weeks back. These are not really stiff... maybe a lil more 'boinggggg', lol.. but it just sat right for me and had the capacity I need for when I haul heavier things, especially a couple bikes, ya know?

 

Hmmm...sounds like I need to get back home and do some measuring on the truck to see how things will pan out. Don't mind a bit of rake but I don't want it to look like the Munster-mobile.

 

I am currently running on flat springs and am planing on doing the Zuk mod in a few weeks when I have some cash to spare. My lower bump stops are long gone, so I am thinking that I will fab up some bottom plates. Has anyone tried using spring isolators or "doughnuts" on the top and bottom of the coils to reduce noise or possibly improve ride quality?

 

All you need to know is, "Measurement from top of rim to top of wheel well". If it's around 10", like mine was..WITH TOP OFF, lol.... then the 12"x125lb coils will bring it up to, well, where mine is. If you look back in the pics and like what you see, then there you go. Just tighten up your front end, maybe get some longer torsion bars or crank yours 1", ...voila! lol. With 1.5" bj's I would think it would sit EXACTLY level. Mine are at 13.5 in the front and 13.00 on the rear. Another inch and mine would be factory, on the dot. My springs are actually WORKING now, lol.... so I don't have to add a leaf, which I've been told can limit flex a bit(Just heard, I'm not a Suspension Guru... lol).

I think Zuk has a FEW threads on his site(look in his sig,he's above here somewhere) that will explain the kits, etc., for welding in the top end. I left mine up top because I want to be able to heat up, bend back and weld back on the bump stop plate if I ever decide to do a 3" OME spring kit and IFS lift, etc. I doubt it would happen for a LONGGGGGGGG time, ...but this way, they fit and honestly? .... The noise is VERY minimal if you heat up and bend the front of the bump stop plate properly. Just bend them with the spring heading in as you're letting out the jack a lil and let them pop in. I did that and then jacked back up and pounded one more slap on the arm facing the front(1/32" maybe?) and they slid up in tight, but not grinding. I've had it up on a lift, full extended, and NOTHING came even close to coming loose. If you tried a yard near you, or Toyotapartsonline or something, I'm sure you could get the bump stops, cheap, and then just loosen the Ubolts and slip em in there. They act as a good cushion for the Zuks, and if they're new, NO WAY they're going to wear down from the Zuks. A guy I know has an 88 4x4 pick up and did them on his with 4 shocks in the rear and a 3" lift in front.... he has had them 8 years and NO sag, none. He welded his up top, but left the bump stop arms, and just bent them out a half inch further to avoid ANY rubbing, etc.

 

man keep the dicussion going i'm about 1 project away from this.... make sure you all work all the kinks out for me, thx....

 

Honestly, Heli? If you do it the way I did?.... 2 hours, max, by yourself. Not to mention, you can modify it ANY TIME from that finished mod onward. If you load large buck or other things often, with many pounds of gear... I'd go for the heavier spring... but you can figure that all out, I'm sure, lol. Just throwing it out there. Best wishes on your mods... any links here I can follow your work on?

 

chef u think this can work up front axle?????

 

Not sure, Bud.... Hmmmm, I would think so, if there's room, considering it works fine on the rear straight axle. I've seen other SA's with coil wrapped Shocks, but not sure on this mod. Zuk probably has it posted on his site, maybe?

 

SOLID BEAM AXLE----------Anything is possible...even coils in the front. I can visualize somebody placing a single coil in the center of the axle housing....with a special cross-bar that comes close to the oil pan but slightly forward of it. The lower mount would NOT be on top of the axle housing but out in front....perhaps right directly in front of the fill plug area. Some welding and creativity involved.
I single center coil would offer lift support and keep the ride soft. It might increase sway effects more too.

 

Hey Zuk (or anyone with the answer) i got a question here. I got the 14 inch 100lb coils in the back. And ride height is perfect. If i put bj spacers up front what size/pound coils would make it ride even again. Also is there a kit or something to put coil overs in the front?

 

that sounds pricey up front....

 

Yeah i probably wont do a kit for coil overs. Just bj spacers and i decided on blocks for my coil spring mod.

 

Any idea what length shocks to get for 1.5" bj spacers?

 

Wabbit will know, FO SHO! Give em a shout on his site, wabfab.com..????

 

I wish they made 16 or 18" long coils but I don't see them anywhere. Your 14" x 100 is the best it will get. For more lift from the rear, I would do longer shackles(not a bad thing).....and might even try some sort of coil spacer.


The coil spacer can take many forms...it could be on the top or the bottom of the coil...or both ends. Here's one I made up on the fly for someone. If you add a 2 inch spacer then you will get 1" or slightly more actual lift(due to the sharing effect of leafs and coils working together)...so, if you know where I'm coming from, when I was just a baby the square peg would not quite fit in the round hole....until I found my dad's real hammer.

 

You need 2"+ shocks, Wabbit does sell some Pro-Comps.

 

I definitely want to bring up the front about 1.5"... So I'm hitting up ROB for some custom BJ spacers on the cheap! hahahaha, jk man! Seriously though...when can I expect them? lol, jk...

I really do need to get it up, though. Just that lil in the front. I'd really like to avoid cranking on the T-bars. Don't want a kidney and other component breaking ride, lol. Do I need anything besides the BJ's and do I need shocks with my stock, most likely saggin a lil front end?? My back is raised plenty.. 13" from top to top. Problem is,...the front is 13" top to top, too, hahaa. Should be 14.5, from everything I've read about the stock height differences front and rear.

 

Did this mod today, took about 1:15 hours, but had a lift and stuff. Used a cutting wheel, bend the medal and then drop the rear axle and done.

So should I do a small lift later, I will just change out the springs if needed.