Author Topic: Mucking Mods (Read 4661 times)

rockhound · « **on:** Jul 01, 2004, 08:34:41 PM »

Mechanical mods, like high steer, gears, lockers, even bobbing the bed, were fun , challenging and rewarding.

But I just don't seem to be having much fun with this suspension stuff.

I want to build my own packs to save money for more mods, but I'm already $300 into my first attempt at springs , and they aren't even bolted in yet.
50 per pack and a cut-off saw.
Here's what I've done.
'88 Toyota 2wd rears, pulled the overload, turned the pin around.
Pulled my stock rears, and flying blind here,

decided to make it look like a real pack, cut my rear leaves.

Main leaf to 31 1/2 ", 2nd leaf to 23 1/2",bottom one to 14 1/2".
Bolt this combo together, and it looks sweet.
Now I'm afraid I should have left the stock rears alone and cut the fronts to build a pack.
Or even just bolt in plain rears.

What have I done?
I still have to make the stupid blazer springs work!

Relocate the front hanger, Marlin sells cheap ones, and make the Toyota hanger and shackle bolts fit.

WHITE_TRASH · « **Reply #1 on:** Jul 01, 2004, 08:37:24 PM »

Dont feel bad! I re read my $300 thread the other day, damn I started to hate this truck there for awhile! Dont worry it will all work out in the end......or someone will get a great buy when you get pissed and sell cheap!

rockhound · « **Reply #2 on:** Jul 01, 2004, 09:28:05 PM »

I usually wait till I get it just the way I want it, then sell it.
I'm stressin' cause it's been too long since I've been out. I need to

84runner · « **Reply #3 on:** Jul 02, 2004, 08:27:07 AM »

Ya a good wheelin trip alway gets me motivated , and that includes getting what I need done just before the trip

rockhound · « **Reply #4 on:** Jul 02, 2004, 02:28:34 PM »

Some progress pics. Pulled front downey pack and built new pack from 2wd rears and my stock rears.
OK, as soon as I figure out how to re-size these shots from 450KB to 150...

WHITE_TRASH · « **Reply #5 on:** Jul 02, 2004, 02:34:19 PM »

Dang you painted everything white!

Sorry but your pic didnt post and I just couldnt resist.

rockhound · « **Reply #6 on:** Jul 02, 2004, 02:48:25 PM »

What can I say, a freak blizzard.

rockhound · « **Reply #7 on:** Jul 02, 2004, 03:03:09 PM »

WHITE_TRASH · « **Reply #8 on:** Jul 02, 2004, 03:12:22 PM »

Send them to me Ill fix them.

rockhound · « **Reply #9 on:** Jul 02, 2004, 03:47:31 PM »

just e-mailed some random shots.
stepping away from the computer

hessiankid31 · « **Reply #10 on:** Jul 03, 2004, 09:01:49 PM »

I played musical springs for six months, just recently got it right.

I pulled my stock rears first, put on brand new Alcan packs with some hefty(too hefty, turned out) lift shackles, u-bolt flip, relocated mounts for new Ranchos etc. Went ghost town wheelin the next Saturday, great time, rolled on my side etc. Get home and my buddy says" hey, ur left shackle is kicked out to the side."

Right pack is twisted bad, left bad enough, frame is bent, shackles are just fine tho :headscratch:maybe too strong? not this kid! Factory replacment packs

$$$$$$$$ , traction bars......month goes by..."hey dude, um, yer shackle is.........."

:idea:Jeff does his homework, learns the words like "axle wrap and opposing torsional force" Jeff takes Meatloaf's Pant's size (ya know. f-ing huge) shackles and throws them in river, pulls destroyed Ranchos off, back to factory U-bolts and shock mounting, takes orig. factory packs and the other mess to local spring guru. Guru shakes head, makes new shackles, braces frame, builds new 4-leaf packs from old factory ones and delivers stern lecture about people without a clue not messing up a perfectly good suspension; all for 200$, 1/5 of total money flushed down toilet to date. The good news is, I learned a bit about suspension geometry. AND I have a lovely pile of twisted-not bent-twisted as in torsional forces-leaf spring partz rusting merrily away in my field. I guess if the bomb goes off, I'll be all set to start making swords. OK. I'm done. Little tired tonight.

SWAMPER · « **Reply #11 on:** Jul 03, 2004, 11:38:34 PM »

I got coils

rockhound · « **Reply #12 on:** Jul 05, 2004, 04:24:35 PM »

Lil Swamper

wise guy!

hessiankid31 I was afraid I might be getting in over my head with this spring building stuff.
I have cut up my stock rears to add to the 2wd rears, from the junkyard, for the fronts.

Still need rears. Gonna' use chevy blazer/s-10's. and now worried about axle wrap.

Still need shock hoops front and long tavel shocks and bushings (?) for the rear springs to work.
After all that I could ruin 'em on the trail, and have to start all over?

If I trash these, I'm springing for Marlin's AOR Orbit Eye's!

Hey where can I find degree shims for the front, and will 2 1/2 degree be enough?

SWAMPER · « **Reply #13 on:** Jul 05, 2004, 04:27:19 PM »

Its wise

Just so you can be educated

rockhound · « **Reply #14 on:** Jul 05, 2004, 04:45:59 PM »

Sorry, Wise

SWAMPER · « **Reply #15 on:** Jul 05, 2004, 04:47:56 PM »

thats fine dumb

rockhound · « **Reply #16 on:** Jul 05, 2004, 05:02:48 PM »

brainlessfool · « **Reply #17 on:** Jul 05, 2004, 05:27:56 PM »

yopu can get the dagree shims at NAPA.

rockhound · « **Reply #18 on:** Jul 05, 2004, 07:34:20 PM »

Didn't think of that!

SWAMPER · « **Reply #19 on:** Jul 05, 2004, 07:54:56 PM »

yotaboy79 · « **Reply #20 on:** Jul 05, 2004, 07:56:34 PM »

silly swamper check your e-mails

hessiankid31 · « **Reply #21 on:** Jul 06, 2004, 12:17:39 PM »

I wasn't trying to discourage you Rockhound. I have made more newbie mistake than I can count. The first time I picked up a wrench, other than to throw it at a roommate, was three years ago. I had no clue whatsoever. I started out tuning Hondas and an old Supra, then moved on to 4x4s. If I'd been humble enough to ask simple questions on forums-like you are- and of my grease monkey friends, I coulda saved big money and time. I have learned a lot from my mistakes and the experience was valuable, I just think there is definatly an easier, softer way. Good luck.

SWAMPER · « **Reply #22 on:** Jul 06, 2004, 12:45:43 PM »

Ah dont feel bad rockhound....the only "mechanical" thing I know how to do is change my sparkplugs and oil

yotaboy79 · « **Reply #23 on:** Jul 06, 2004, 05:43:57 PM »

Skinny_Pedal · « **Reply #24 on:** Jul 06, 2004, 05:50:47 PM »

gotta start somewhere

yotaboy79 · « **Reply #25 on:** Jul 06, 2004, 05:53:00 PM »

rockhound · « **Reply #26 on:** Jul 08, 2004, 08:16:38 PM »

I'm feeling more confident now that I have the front springs mocked up. They don't look too bad. Can't wait to try 'em out.
I got my flip kit Tue., and test fit 'em.
Today I pulled the drivers front pack, and disassembled 'em. Painted, re-assembled and bolted back in. Used a cut down aal for the 3/8 pad, bolted in with the pack.
Put on the flip kit, and hung the tire.
I forgot the degree shim!
I tell you what though, it looks like it might perform pretty nicely, don't know if anyone else has this combo, but right now I feel like everybody's gonna want one.
Can't wait to try 'em out, I know, already said , but I can't!

rockhound · « **Reply #27 on:** Jul 09, 2004, 01:41:59 PM »

What's the hot set-up for shafts, at the Trans flanges ?
CV joints front and rear, Stock config ( CV front, u-joint rear). or u-joints F & R.

WHITE_TRASH · « **Reply #28 on:** Jul 09, 2004, 01:44:17 PM »

Is your truck a long, short box or an x-cab?

rockhound · « **Reply #29 on:** Jul 09, 2004, 10:24:55 PM »

X-tra cab.

rockhound [OP]

rockhound [OP]

rockhound [OP]

rockhound [OP]

rockhound [OP]

rockhound [OP]

rockhound [OP]

rockhound [OP]

rockhound [OP]

rockhound [OP]

rockhound [OP]

rockhound [OP]

Related Topics