Front springs?

[JBournes]

Well i called National spring in El Cahon and they told me it would cost $900 to get a set of springs made for the front:--). So i then made some more calls and found a place not to far from where i am at that will have some 2. 5"skyjackers waiting for me tomorrow at noon. For the new springs, bushings, and ubolts will only be a little over $400. Which i dont think is too bad. My question is will i need to get new shocks or will the ones on it now fit. Im just trying to do some plannig before i get it tore apart tomorrow night. Im not to sure which ones i have on it now i think they are monroes but i dont know which ones. But if they dont fit im sure i can drive it without them for a day or two until i can get them in and on the truck. Also am i going to have any problems with the pitman arm or the steering im hoping no, but i just want to make sure. I still cant believe i snapped the spring in two . I hope someone can shed some light on my shock and steering questions. Thanks to all.



JEB

 

[PPeters]

JEB:



The short answer on whether or not your shocks will work is, it depends . What will determine this is the travel lenght of your current setup vs the suspension travel of the new springs.



So now the long answer... .



Tried to find numbers that I posted last year on shock travel and the trouble I had when installing SJ 2. 5" spring kit. BUT... couldn't find it, so this is from memory.



I wanted to put on Rancho 9000's, called Summit, told them what I was putting on (springs), and they sent me the Rancho's. Only problem was, after installing the springs, the shocks were too short to hook up. Couple calls to Summit later, got a "knowledgeable" tech, and he says, "... yeah, no way they will fit. Find out the travel spec's from Skyjacker and call back. " Did that (its what's in the previous post that I can't find ) and he then tells me that Rancho doesn't have anything that will fit.



SO, I went back to Skyjacker and bought the shocks from them to match the spring install. Very happy with the ride, shocks are not adjustable , but they were definitely less expensive .



Did not have to replace the pitman, or lengthen the front drive shaft. Been in the rough a couple times since the install, haven't pulled the shaft apart and steering is OK.



Sorry about the length, wish I could find that post with the numbers...



Pat



Hey, just checked out your rig, NICE JOB ON THE RACK

 

[JBournes]

Pat

Thanks for trying to help. Like you i think i am just going to have to wait and see after i get them on and see what i end up with. But i will be very happy to drive around without shocks for a day until i can get them, because right now it is just sitting because of my front driverside spring. Im still amazed that i broke it, have never seen one break besides accidents. If you like the rack im sure i could talk my dad into making one. Actually we were talking about doing that on the side after i get out of the military in 2005. It wasnt to hard to make and since we have good pattern it wouldnt be that much trouble. The only thing i would do differently was i would take it and get it coated with a spray on liner rhino, line-x, or any of them. Because out here on the california coast it is rusting really bad. One day i am going to have to take it off and get this done to it. And i think i will do my bumpers at the same time. thanks again for the reply.



JEB

 

[jbolt]

Rick (RDusch) has the SkyJacker 2. 5 lift and Rancho 9000s so it is possible. I PMd him yesterday to see how he sized them since I had also been told that they would not work. Hopefully he will chime in with some info.



Jay

 

[BCook1]

rs9000s and driveshaft

Greetings,

I just put rs9000s on my 92 with a 2. 5 Skyjacker spring. I am not impressed with the shocks but really like the springs. Your front shaft may not fit at first but the springs will sag about 1 to 1 and 1/2 inches quickly so drive it for a few weeks before making a new shaft - you may find your old one fits. Even though they sag from when first installed, they are worth it because you will end up with about 3" between the stops and springs. They seem to stop sagging at this point - maybe after a few years holding up the CTD they will go down more - my 82 Skyjackers sagged at first and stopped for the next five years but they were only holding up a small block.

 

[BCook1]

Oh yeah,

Forgot to mention that the only place I found the shock info I needed was at Sears. I waited a few weeks for the springs to sag and then measured the distance from mount to mount. Sears had the max/min lengths in a catalog and I just picked a shock that would not bottom out if the spring went all the way to the rubber mounts (subtract clearance number from mount distance and find a shock that will go shorter. I was not worried about topping out the shocks as I would have to get airborn to do it. The ranchos sucked to put on - and Sears still did it but the bushings are all squished out. There has to be a better way. I have tried a variety of settings and found none to be what I want. Next time I will try bilsteins - at least on the front.

 

[PPeters]

Jbolt:



I've noticed that some guys running 4X4's have the lift and Rancho's, but I could not get anyone to tell me what part number to order. What I failed to mention in the previous post was I spoke directly with Rancho about the application, and that is where I was informed that they did not have one for my application. Probably got bum info, but what are you supposed to do after talking direct with the mfg I know in my case when I went to hook them up after installing springs, there was no way they would stretch to the pin, like an inch short. I also have observed some sagging after install, and mine are currently just over 3" from the bump stop. Still happy with the outcome.



Hey Rick, you out there?



JEB, good idea on the liner, we got rust here too (winter+salt=RUST).



Pat

 

[JBournes]

Spring install

Well i picked up the springs yesterday and installed them. The first one took the longest, as i had to figure out in what order to put it back together. For anyone wanting to do this when you start the install, hook up the front shackle first. Then hook up the rear shackle. Then i used a cum along attached to the front bumper and pulled the axle in place for the centering pin on the axle. Then just raised it up in place and installed the ubolts. The first one took longer because i did the rear shackle first but then had to take it back off and start all over. Another note just disconnect the sway bar and hook it up last. I also had to unhook the shock to drop the axle far enough to get the spring in and hook it up after i had the ubolts on. I was very happy with the height and the ride. My shocks are fine for now i think they could be a little longer so they wont over extend but i think the springs will start to sag a little and it will be about perfect. I will get some pics and post for everyone to see. I was going to take a before pic so everyone could see where my sring had broke but i forgot. . I was to excited to get the new ones on so i could drive the truck . Thanks to all for the help and info.



JEB

 

[RDusch]

Jeb,

When i first installed the 2 1/2" front springs i ran for a about a week with the stock shocks but they are MAXED out, no room to bounce, when i bought the ranchos i called 4 wheel parts told them what truck i had and what lift, they looked up the proper shocks, but if you need i can see if theres any numbers on them.



Rick

 

[JBournes]

Shocks

If you can find it that would be great but i have a shop near here and i can go just have them measure it and they grab them off the shelf and i slide them the money. But if you have the numbers it would help a little.



JEB

 

[RDusch]

OK Front shocks are 9114, rears are 9005, a also found a link for ranch shock sizes,

ranco shock sizes



Rick

 

[JBournes]

Rick

Thanks alot



JEB

 

[BStacy]

Broken Front Spring

I broke about two inches off the bottom of my left front spring. I went over a bump and the spring came halfway out of the pocket causing a terrible noise. Dealer repaired it under my extended warranty. Truck had about 48,000 on it.

 

[Wayne M.]

HI all! I'm looking to do this SJ spring thing next spring (If nothing happens before then). Can anyone post good pictures showing the install? Does this raise the stock ride height at all? Are there any other mods needed? Can the stock rear springs stay? How did the right side bolts (instead of U bolts) come out? is this a kit that comes with all hardware and etc? How many leaves are they? Do we loose any weight rating?

Thanks!

 

[JBournes]

wayne

I gained about 1-1/2 - 2" of ride height on mine, it sits just about level or maybe a little higher than the back. I left my back springs stock. I figure that the front with start to sag a little after a bit and it will look just right. The shocks i had it on it work for now but i am going to get some rancho's. The bolts you are talking about on the passenger side are in the axle it self. You dont take them out you just put the new nuts on the bolts. it was fairly easy to do. Just make sure that when you are installing them, to install the bushings and bolt on the front shackle first, then the back one. I used a com-along to align the axle with the centering pin. All the new harware came with the kit, and they have 5 leafs i think. I will try to post you some pics of them installed for you. I am very happy with the ride. It was a noticable difference. If you have any more questions ill try to answer them.



JEB

 

[Wayne M.]

Thanks, JEB. I would like to see some pictures if possible. My truck just got put into some hard commuting duty which will be indefinite and I will have to do something. If this is basically a stock r&r as I'm understanding- I'll do it.