2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Aftermarket Suspension System for a Work Truck?

[JHansen]

I was crawling around under my truck yesterday fixing the park brake (which I should have gotten around to long ago! ) and was quite thrilled to find I have a broken leaf in the right rear pack... . doesn't really surprise me as the truck has been in dire need of shocks for a long time and the roads in this part of the world this year are in the worst condition that I have experienced. I wasn't looking forward to dropping a pile of money into the suspension right now-but I use my truck to earn my living so I pretty much have to fix it promptly-and I generally subscribe to the adage of improving things whenever I make repairs. I am going to price out stock replacement springs just for funsies but I'm reasonably certain that I'm not going to like what I hear. Plus I would like to get rid of the stupid rear blocks to help get rid of the dreaded axle hop...



So who here is running one of the higher-end suspension systems on a truck that is used for work? I am a contract field operator for an oil company here in Alberta and have to go into places where intelligent people would stay out of. Tons of gravel and mud in the summer, tons of snow in the winter, with an average truck weight of between 8000-8500 lbs. I am hesitant to run super-high-dollar shocks especially on the rear because of the constant attack by flying gravel-and am also wondering how the seals in a Fox/King/Sway-A-Way type shock handle -40C and violent suspension movement-I know they are tons more technologically advanced then Rancho 9000s but I can tell you from 1st hand experience that they do not deal well with the aforementioned torture test... .



Current setup is D25 Skyjacker front springs, the factory rear leaves w/overloads (camper special package), cheap Mopar shocks and a DT track bar (which is coming off and being replaced with a SSI 3G bracket setup as I am sick of replacing Heim joints). Looks like the front control arm bushings are getting pounded so I expect that I will be replacing the arms at the same time.



Looking forward to hearing other's experiences... .



Thanks

Jason

 

[JHansen]

Still researching but haven't come up with any set-in-stone conclusions yet. One thing I forgot to mention I guess is that the truck is riding on 35" BFG MT's on factory '03 alloys running relatively low air pressure so the tires should be taking up some of the blow. I am seriously considering 37-12. 5R17's for the next set but I'll have to make some other mods 1st (losing the POS running boards for some side tubes comes to mind).



Jason

 

[kparker]

JHansen,



Kevin Ostland of High Rollerz Trux in Calgary, has set up many a suspension for guys like yourself up in the oil fields. He can answer any questions you might have. He is the Canadian KORE distributor.



KP

 

[PVanderlugt]

I just put a KORE recon kit on mine, pretty happy with results. ride is much improved. Bilsteins do a nice job. truck now rides level.
Pete

 

[JHansen]

I had made contact with Kevin last week looking for a 3G track bar takeoff... I sent him another email this morning and will be giving him a call tomorrow sometime to discuss stuff over the phone.....



Keg, I have read posts by you on here before and understand you are an engineer for KORE-I suspect you are as qualified as anyone to answer the shock seal question-will a Fox shock survive -40C and being thrashed? I know sled shocks can-although I managed to blow out the seals on the OEM take-apart KYB's on my Skidoo MXZ I am assuming that had more to do with OEM specs for materials as opposed to the nature of the beast-and I sold the sled right after I had them rebuilt. And if I choose to go this route, how can I keep them from being destroyed by gravel?



Jason

 

[kparker]

J Hansen,



The good thing about Fox Shocks is that they are made by a company that has a lot of experience meeting the requirements of cold weather sealing needs. They have a snowmobile division, and seal technology is shared. Will they ride good? My bet is they are going to be a bit stiff until they warm up to American temps like 0 degrees F. Ha ha.



Kevin can put you in contact with many guys in freezing climates doing just what you are asking about. He has had no complaints that I am aware of with regards to seal failure.



Protecting the shafts from gravel is important for sure. We typically hose clamp 1/8 rubber to the shock bodies, to cover the shafts. Finding a material that won't freeze will be the trick for you. Let me know what you think is best? I am curious. The majority of our work is done in slightly warmer climes...



KP

 

[JHansen]

I don't know if 1/8" rubber would be heavy enough-I have literally beat rear shocks flat under the attack of flying gravel! Wiring, hoses, everything gets chewed up in a big hurry. Seems like this year what hasn't been getting chewed off has been getting drug off in the mud-I notice my running boards are missing braces but nothing major structural yet. It is a very harsh life for equipment-I am surprised this old girl has hung in as well as it has. The sad part is that I am one of the easier guys on equipment in my company... .



Ran out of time today to call Kevin-I am going to work it in to my schedule tomorrow come hell or high water.



Jason

 

[NoSeeUm]

There is a used Kelderman Air Ride kit in the TDR classifieds.



Jim

 

[Lorenz]

Shock boots.

 

[Richterno1]

There is a used Kelderman Air Ride kit in the TDR classifieds.



Jim

i looked in the classifieds and found nothing. do you know who had it for sale?



thanks

 

[CTD12V]

Found any solution yet, J Hansen? My rear springs are also getting tired, though not broken yet.



CTD12V

 

[tgordon]

Jhansen, do you have any pics of the conditions you work in, sounds like you could be another proving ground for after market companies of any type. How well would an air suspension like Kelderman holdup? My biggest concern for you would be slicing an airbag.



Troy

 

[JHansen]

Sorry about not responding to this sooner-I've been preoccupied a little with other stuff.



I guess Kevin and I got our wires crossed-I thought he was calling me back with pricing etc. and I guess he thought I was calling him... . and that's where it ended! I ended up buying a set of takeoffs from a '94 V10 from a wreckers and putting them under it. I'm sure I would have liked the ride that a KORE or comparable system would have given me-but the truck now has 405000 kilometres on it and realistically I wouldn't have been able to recoup the investment probably in the remaining lifespan of the truck.



Here's a pic of the truck doing what it has to do unfortunately on a reasonably frequent basis: This one required a front-wheel-assist tractor for recovery-this picture was taken immediately after forward progress stopped-by the time the tractor showed up the driver's side roof was down around my shoulder level (I am 6'1").

 

[KDoerr]

JHansen I’m in Alberta to and I do Hotshots for the oil field with a one ton and I always had the same problems with shocks and front end. I went to City Spring in Edmonton and Got an 8 main leaf and a 4 leaf over load and Went with 1/2 inch coil spring on the front. Then I add the rancho at all four corners. I did that three years ago and I have'ent had a problem since and if you are in the oilfield you know how we hotshoters drive.



Keith