crawler#976

FYI: to the shackel angle naysayers- don't judge the angle as it sits brand new.

I'd expect the ride height on new springs to settle a minimum of 2" in the first month, and perhaps as much as 3" after a couple hard trail runs. It won't surprise me to see the front end end up 1 to 2" lower than the rear after Steve gets back from the Hammers-

Hey Steve

Claw hammer is a good run- I actually found it to be easier than Lower Terminator in most respects - as long as you stick to the "normal" lines. Here is Bob's Bobtail Runner leading the way...

Sparman

Looks really great Steve. Amazing!

westy44runner

Steve- when you get a chance, post your impressions of the bilstein 5150s you installed. I am thinking of replacing my DT3000s with a set of 5150s this summer, for the price it seems you can't go wrong. I have Alcans on my 86 and with such a soft spring I would like a firmer valved shock...thanks
-Brian

sschaefer3

We have the steering shaft figured out. It needs to have a double CV at the box, a slideing shaft - so no rag joint and some center section supports.

It works now, but you can feel some very slight drag due to the high u-joint angle. Also the wheel goes almost back to dead center by itself, but not 100%. This should have it steering like it did with IFS.

Steering first, then on to fine tune the brakes. Rear proportoning valve and Corvette 4 piston calipers.

I jacked one side up so it sat 3" over stock and shackle angle was right on the money. The leafs just have to wear in.

Or I need to get a set of 3" ones that really are 3".

joez

Looks good, except once again that shackle angle. Yes, the springs will settle, but i really dont see that angle going anywhere past vertical.

Im supprised to see you, of all people, do the SAS, especially after only 1 broken shaft, unless you broke more and i missed it. Looks good, though.

SteveO

Indeed, Schaefer has changed his mind,

Quote:

Originally Posted by sschaefer3

Sell what? the 1999. No way. A solid front axle rides like ˟˟˟˟ on the street. I really glad I have an IFS truck to drive around town.

Steve, you're entertainment for the rest of us.

Thanks Jim. Say, you gonna help me this summer......

Albuquerque Jim

Of course, as long as it's after 6/25 :wedding bells: Are you going links or radius arms, like the Broncos?

sschaefer3

My 99 rides like ˟˟˟˟ now, but I get to watch boobs bounce now.

SteveO

Yup, linked radius arms, after July 1st. In the meantime, I'm looking for the axle, and I'm gonna turn the knuckles and get the axle ready.

SteveO

funny

joez

Well of course it rides like ˟˟˟˟, look at the shackle angle! Unless those springs sag enough to get that shackle sitting a good distance forward of vertical, its gonna ride like a damn sheet of plywood. The front shackle wont be a big help either, but the angle is whats killing it.

My all leaf solid axle K5 rides great, its more comfortable to take on road trips than our 2000 Accord because of the ride, and i even have to run the HD springs up front on account of the diesel. It rides nice and smooth, and it will be even nicer when i do the longer spring swap up front.

A solid axle rig can be made to ride great on the street, but a negative or vertical shackle angle will NEVER ride well with positively arched springs.

sschaefer3

Don't worry, the spring have already went down quite a bit from the last photo. They were 1" inverted now the shackle is at most 1/2" and they are going down daily.

They are 3" lift springs that started close to 5". They'll sag. Folks on another board call them Sagcans.

Paitence, things will come with time.

Today I fixed the camber, already a 100% improvment in the ride.

Steering first, everyting else later.

joez

Glad to hear it, i would hate to see you put the IFS stuff back in

FilthyRich

Your truck looks great. your work is excellent. Gotta love ghost town.

ravencr

Is this with the front bumper and winch on there or not?

Chris

sschaefer3

Nope, still working the the steering. The only thing left is the shaft from the steering wheel to the box. The one I have now works and most people would probably go with it, but I want to try to get it perfect. So the steering wheel rolls back to center eaily all by itself. I also need to add in a slip shaft.

I'll get it.

ravencr

I don't doubt it will be perfect Steve. The reason I had asked is in reference to all the talk about your springs settling. I think with the extra weight of the front bumper and winch, it will be sitting right where you want it, don't you think?

Chris

sschaefer3

Yes I do.

You see what I did was exaclty re-create a Jeep YJ hanger system. So any off the shelf and/or stock YJ leafs will bolt right up.

It's not a custom setup at all, it's stock YJ. I could even bolt on a YJ shackle reversal kit.

So if these leafs don't work out, there are tons of YJ front leafs out there. It's all bolt-on from here on out.

AxleIke

For all those who think SA rides like s--t, try 18 year old torsion bars with 250k on them in an IFS. The SA would probably seem peachy. I'll grant you the coilover IFS in the later models is MUCH better than the SA, but with time, i doubt the difference will be noticed anymore, expecially not after a few trips on the trail.

azrain

As eventually they would anyhow. As discussed earlier, they will be fine.

Folks, they are SPRINGS, springs eventually take a set, law of physics and design...

Looks good, so how much are you charging to do an SAS again? LOL!

Mike