:)bestgen4runner's build page.

[redneckcustoms13]

[:)bestgen4runner]

Emailed Sky with a few questions.
Hey, I just wanted to say thank You so much for the swag pack You sent me and the discount setup.
So very nice of You.
Second I have a couple questions for You as I get closer to installing My new 3F springs.

Question #1 where do You recommend I place the front hanger in relation to the front frame? (flush or forward some amount) I plan to see how things line up with My currant hanger but am prepared to replace the hanger if needed.

Question #2 what is the ideal shackle angle for the boomerang shackles I am installing? I am guessing 15 deg but wanted to be sure.

Question #3 If I do end up replacing the front hanger what hanger would You recommend? Do You still offer the one with SKY cut into the front? how Many hangers do You guys offer for My truck? Three?


From Sky
When i installed a new front hanger, i moved it less than in inch forward than my stock spring hanger on my 81' to see where i would be at.  Shackle angle is way steeper than i'd prefer at somewhere around 30-40 degrees.  Ideally i will be at 15* like you mentioned.  I probably still will flex it out somewhere to see if its going to hit the frame before i cut the current hanger off and install a full width hanger. (i will be running a custom toyota housing at 31.5" spring pin center).

I would bolt up to your current hanger and adjust if necessary, i suspect you may have to move your hanger an inch further forward but 15* is ideal.

Currently I have three front hangers (basic, ultra clearance, and full brace with our logo).  I have the ultra clearance hanger on my truck at the moment, but will be switching to the full brace full width front hanger because that is the only hanger we have in full width.  I personally like the extra bracing with the full brace front hanger but as long people can securely attach the ultra clearance front hanger there shouldn't be any  issues.

Looking forward to some pictures and seeing how they work out for you

Thanks,
E

[zippo]

Yeah, noone listens to zippo. Even though I said the same thing days ago.

[joeyf]

Hope you don't have to cut your hanger out. If you do, sky's ultra low hanger is a nice piece. I run it on my 4Runner and have had no problems.

[:)bestgen4runner]

Looks super thin, but kind of cool at the same time. I was thinking about going with the full brace front hanger.
I need to see if there is a difference in spring height location before I decide. I might need more lift or less depending on how it comes out after the new springs are installed. Thanks for the picture. I hadn't seen that one installed yet.

[joeyf]

It's not horribly thin, it's a mix of 1/4 and 3/16. When you get to that point of figuring out what you want, I have one sitting on the shelf if you want some better pics of it.

[:)bestgen4runner]

Latest pictures and Measurements.
Front is down 1 1/2 inches from original with the 3F springs installed. I am still using My original front hanger at this point and Sky's boomerang shackles. What should I expect for additional drop after springs are broke in?
Front shackles are at 13deg currently 
Top of tire to wheel well is 9" with a true 35.
Tire to front bumper contact with a true 37 installed is about 6 1/2"
I performed all the up travel and droop measurements and it looks like 5" of up travel and around 7" of down travel using the 12" Bilstein shocks I had previously installed in the rear. This works out great as I don't have to buy new front shocks. Believe it or not based on My measurements this should also put Me at the ideal amount of shock shaft showing at resting position. I have not installed the shocks to the front yet so I will still need to take a good hard look at what kind of angle the shocks will be at.
I have taken it on a couple short test drives threw the neighborhood and it feels very stable yet still very soft. Hard to really know until the rear is lowered and the shocks installed. 

[mudmaster]

Maybe you should load the rear up to know how much it really needs to be lowered.

[:)bestgen4runner]

Maybe you should load the rear up to know how much it really needs to be lowered.

Picture is with spare tire, Highlift, and normal wheeling gear in the back.
Only thing missing would be the tools and small cooler. I am thinking 1 1/2 to 2 inches down in the rear based on using a bubble level to check.
I am going to park on a block for couple days to see if I can settle the springs a bit.   

[H8PVMNT]

I'll bet is settles in perfect after a few trips.

[:)bestgen4runner]

I'll bet is settles in perfect after a few trips.

I hope so H8.
I will be honest I was looking for about an inch and a half lower.
I am not disappointed just hope it comes down some more. It should work perfectly for 37's. 

[Willard]

How is your steering clearance? Also by the looks...if settles too much 37's will probably eat the firewall.

[blackdiamond]

I don't remember my Alcans settling much at all.

[:)bestgen4runner]

How is your steering clearance? Also by the looks...if settles too much 37's will probably eat the firewall.

Steering is for sure going to require the box moving forward, but I expected that so no big.
I have a picture with a 37 and 35 in the front closer up. I will post at lunch. I have yet to stuff the tire so We will see what happens. planning to limit the up travel to 5" so I don't crunch anything. Hopefully 

[toyodaaddict]

4runner's looking good Bestgen. I'm pretty confident those springs will settle at least an inch, maybe a little more.
I'm really exited to see your running the Sky springs. Like others have said, they look intriguing but not a lot of info from people running them. I would like to know the measurement from the center of your front spring bolt to the upper shackle bolt. 

[:)bestgen4runner]

4runner's looking good Bestgen. I'm pretty confident those springs will settle at least an inch, maybe a little more.
I'm really exited to see your running the Sky springs. Like others have said, they look intriguing but not a lot of info from people running them. I would like to know the measurement from the center of your front spring bolt to the upper shackle bolt.

Front spring mount bolt at the front hanger to the frame tube in the rear? You want to know the difference from the ground? I can do that tonight.

[toyodaaddict]

Front spring mount bolt at the front hanger to the frame tube in the rear? You want to know the difference from the ground? I can do that tonight.

I want to know center of front spring mount bolt at the hanger to center of the frame tube bolt (eye to eye so to speak, not from ground). I want to compare that to the way I have set thing up with RUF. I'm assuming the sky springs are a bolt on swap for people running RUF?

[Willard]

They don't look as offset as a RUF to me, but it could be the angle of the picture. Looks good BG!!!

[:)bestgen4runner]

I want to know center of front spring mount bolt at the hanger to center of the frame tube bolt (eye to eye so to speak, not from ground). I want to compare that to the way I have set thing up with RUF. I'm assuming the sky springs are a bolt on swap for people running RUF?

Bolt in for Ruf is what they say.
I will get You the measurement. My truck was not a Ruf setup prior to this, FYI. I will be interested to see If it matches the others You have done as well.
Am I correct that the frame tubes are all installed in the same location no matter the setup?

[:)bestgen4runner]

Just got off the phone with E at Sky did some Q and A.

Me?
What is the measurement of the Sky ultra clearance hanger, flat to center of eye.
E
I will grab one and measure it. 2 and 3/4

Me?
Are You running any blocks in the rear of Your 3f mockup truck.
E
nope none at all just 63's. It sits a bit taller in the front at the moment.

Me?
how much if any drop should I expect from the 3f spring after breakin?
E
maybe an inch depending how much You abuse them. Our KOTH truck runs the same spring and after a couple of races (beating the springs) it has only lost 1 1/2 maybe.

E?
are You interested in running a new secret squirrel rear spring We are working on to match the 3f front spring?
We only have two sets made up at the moment and are waiting to see how they work out before any major production.
Me
Oh man, I know I am going to sound like a total girl thingy here but I am going to need to think about it.
Can I get back to You on it.
E
Sure Just let Me know if Your interested.

Me
are there multiple lift heights for 63's because it's looking like I will have to run a 2" block in the rear to match the front.
E
Oh yes they can be anywhere from 2" up to 4" depending on the leaf packs.
I will text You a picture of My rear springs when I get home tonight.

Me
How much lift are You getting from Your 3f setup on the front.
E
about 4" total with hanger, shackles, and 3f springs.

[mudmaster]

If they are going to let you try those rears at no cost you'd be a fool not to do it.

[THK Matt]

hell ya, try those springs out if its no cost to you.

[:)bestgen4runner]

hell ya, try those springs out if its no cost to you.

If they are going to let you try those rears at no cost you'd be a fool not to do it.

I am not sure He was heading down the free trail but it's possible. I just started thinking about being even more of a guinea pig than I already am and needed to think on it.

So I would like to ask all of My fellow Bestgen owners to take a couple measurements for Me. I am contemplating chopping off My front hanger to go further down the road of this pioneering project or rabbit hole, You pick.
I request the following people
Liveoak, OVRAROK, Old Red, joeyf, and Blackdiamond.

I need frame to ground at the middle of the drivers door. full air pressure in the tires.
I would like to know what the space is between the frame and the top of your spring ubolt plate on your flip kit.
Lastly I would like the measurements between center of front spring mount bolt at the hanger to center of the frame tube bolt (eye to eye). Any specs Would be great also, Tire size, est lift, brand of parts.

I did not build My truck and am genuinely curious if it was done correctly.
please help Me.
I will post My measurements tonight with pictures so We all measure the same locations.
Maybe this could help others in the future. Thanks

[EASYRYDERDANGER]

I don't remember my Alcans settling much at all.

My alcans never really settled either, I'm on my second complete set too. But sounds like these 3f springs settle like an old mattress

[blackdiamond]

My alcans never really settled either, I'm on my second complete set too. But sounds like these 3f springs settle like an old mattress

My theory is the best quality springs don't settle.

[toyodaaddict]

Bolt in for Ruf is what they say.
I will get You the measurement. My truck was not a Ruf setup prior to this, FYI. I will be interested to see If it matches the others You have done as well.
Am I correct that the frame tubes are all installed in the same location no matter the setup?

yes and no. Generally yes, give or take an inch. When you SAS an ifs truck you can place the tube anywhere you see fit. I've seen people move the frame tube way forward along with the front hanger, you know how custom stuff goes.

I took some measurements, center of front spring bolt to center of frame tube bolt. My 1980 with 6 leaf RUF, 5.5" shackle is 44 1/8". I set up my Dad's 86 4runner the same (44 1/8"), with 7 leaf RUF, 5.5" shackle. On the 4runner, if I was to redo it with the same springs, I might push the front hanger forward to 44 1/2" for a little steeper shackle angle. Do to the extra weight his shackle is a little laid back for my liking, not to bad though.

I don't know if this will be of any help but I've setup three trucks with chevy 63's here. None of them use blocks or add a leafs. I've never had any issue clearing 35's with 3 +overload 63's and a 6" shackle. My DD is on 33's with a 5'' shackle, 3 +overload 63's. The blue first gen is on 35's, 3 +overload 63's and 6" shackle. The 86 4runner I started on 3 +overload 63's and 35's (cleared tires fine). I switched them for 4 +overload 63's to firm up the ride, gained another 1" lift that It doesn't need.

[Willard]

My alcans never really settled either, I'm on my second complete set too. But sounds like these 3f springs settle like an old mattress

If they never settled why are you on a second complete set? JW....


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[blackdiamond]

If they never settled why are you on a second complete set? JW....


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I think "settling" is at the beginning of life and "sagging" is at the end of life.  CrankyCrawler runs Alcan like me and he actually broke a leaf a couple months ago and I don't think he's really lost any ride height even with a broken leaf.  His LC is currently down so it sounds like he's been doing the grocery run in the crawler out of necessity.

[Willard]

I understand everything you just said, but he said his didn't settle and I asked why he changed them. If they didn't settle, but instead sagged that doesn't sound like very great of a spring.


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[blackdiamond]

I understand everything you just said, but he said his didn't settle and I asked why he changed them. If they didn't settle, but instead sagged that doesn't sound like very great of a spring.

I have no idea why he replaced his, but based on my friends experience they may have actually broken without sagging.  I just confirmed that even with a broken leaf his truck doesn't have a lean.  Chris is replacing his springs because they started sagging badly.  In Moab they seemed to get lower each day if memory serves.  It appears that some spring steel sags when they wear out and other spring steel holds it's shape until it breaks.