Since I've been working on redesigning my rear suspension links with longer and more flexible joints for added flex, I realized that something binds on the driver's side past normal suspension droop.

What I'm saying is that last night when replacing my rear springs with 8 wrap LC coils, I was able to droop the passenger side tire out till I could just slip the 21" LC coil into place with no real man handling (spring compressors). On the driver's side, though, I had to put spring compressors on and compress the 21" LC coils down probably 2-3" to make them go in.

To give you even a better idea, I was using my hilift jack to jack up the rear of my truck on the rearmost portion of my sliders. When doing this on the driver's side, when the rear suspension binded up, I didn't notice till after the fact that my front tire was off the ground about a foot too. When doing this on the passenger side, the front tire only came off about 4-6" and the rear tire was still firmly planted on the ground.

What I'm thinking is that it's the parking brake cable that's causing the driver's side to not droop down freely. No joke, with these longer coils and a properly setup link setup, I'm not thinking 12" of additional suspension droop is definitely possible. I should have taken a picture of the passenger side to show you how far it was dropped out. It was amazing!

What do you guys think?

Chris

 

Interesting?

I think some good flex pics and measurements are in order.

 

It will happen eventually, but I need to figure out exactly how to lengthen the emergency brake cable to prevent the binding. Even with the stock links, there's some serious flex available on our rigs.

Chris

 

You shouldn't need to lengthen the cable. You can lengthen some of the hangers so that when it is at full droop it is a straiter shot. I have moved my axle back 1" and when flexed my brakes don't grab.

 

Chris, you have made or purchased one of these, right?:

http://www.sonoransteel.com/store_pa...e_bracket.html

 

I'm obviously going to need to lengthen the brackets a lot more, because mine are definitely grabbing, not to mention limiting my travel on the driver's side.

Brett, I have that bracket, but apparently it's not long enough.

Chris

 

You will have to legthen that one quite a bit and also the one in the center of the vehicle.

 

I got extended brake lines, but I think it's only the e-brake cable at this point.

Chris

 

The brake lines shouldn't matter too much, just the e-brake, I was talking about the e-brake hanger in the center sorry the arrow looks line it is pointing to the brake line it't the hager in the background.

 

Gotcha! I'll check them out and see if I can straighten it out! Thanks for the help,

Chris

 

Ravencr, I've noticed the same thing when working on my rear coils. Especially since im using the 9 turn coils and 2.5" spacers... hehehe.

I personally think it is the design of the stock panhard bar that is limiting the travel. Notice how it pulls to the passenger side? That length is actually made longer.

Right now my pass side is sitting 1" higher because the panhard bar is absolutely maxed out...

Just my take on it...

 

I'm almost 100% sure it's not the panhard bar. I beleive it's the e-brake cable. To test my theory, I'm going to disconnect it and see what happens, hopefully this weekend.

Chris

 

Don't forget pics so those of us that are confused and get straightened out.

 

No problem, but unless someone is going to relocate their rear shocks to allow for this increased rear travel, none of this discussion is important to them.

This discussion is for those either raising their truck higher than the normal 3" and/or redesigning their rear suspension links to increase the flex.

All other standard OME, LC coils lifts don't really apply here.

Chris

 

Chris, what are your thoughts on longer shocks in the factory location with the LC coils? More travel?

 

It all depends on the compressed length of the LC coils. When you go with a longer rear shock in the stock location, you might gain som droop, but your upward travel will most likely be diminished. You wouldn't want to bottom out the shock, nor would you want to bottom out the spring. Does that make sense.

Chris

 

Yep. I was just thinking about the LC Bilstein shocks back in the day. I have also found some Rancho shocks that will bolt in and offer more travel. According to Steve there is a point where the swaybar smashes the e-locker motor-but of course that doesn't apply to you!

 

Some people are okay with raising the height of their trucks and adding longer bumpstops to limit the upward travel. My goal on the other hand is relocate the shocks so I can raise the height of my truck as I have, but still add flex without limiting the upward travel.

Yes, I won't ever have gas tank or rear swaybar issues again. If you compare the two shocks you mention, you'll probably notice that the compressed length is longer than the OME's, and depending on the compressed length of the LC coils, you might be okay.

Chris

 

Chris,

It will be cool if you come up with a way to get a significantly longer travel shock to fit in there, since the shocks tend to be the true hang up most of the time for good travel. I looked at the same issue a while back and easily gave up and went to the leaf springs so there weren't bars in my way every direction that I tried to run the shocks. Are you planning on running them at an angle or cutting holes in the body?

 

The only way to do it without angling the shocks, is to raise the upper mount. This way you won't be limited by upward travel nor downward travel.

Chris