Off Roading Mini packs or full leafs??

[Tinman]

I am considering up grading my Chase mini packs to full leafs (from any of the big three suppliers - although I like Lorenz's dual purpose leafs). However, I have an ARE top and Bedslide plus tools, recovery eq. , etc. that keeps about 450-500# in the rear all the time. Add a little cargo or a light trailer and it will squat the rear a little. I am afraid the full leafs would cause the ride height to suffer at light loads (or empty) and not be necessary since my normal rear axle weight helps to smooth out rear ride. Of course, air bags with full leafs would be the ultimate, but I'm not sure the cost/ benefit would be worth it to me.

 

[Bob4x4]

The Carli leafs will carry a load,I had my truck loaded down like crazy for the Baja 500 with tools firewood and camping gear. I forgot to add any air to the bags in Ensenada so it was just the springs. I was still able to haul a** out the road to Mikes where we set up for the race. That road has a mixture of twists,washouts,washboard,and jumps. Oo.



Bob

 

[Grumpy John 4x4]

Springs

Just had Carli change out my mini pack, which I will sell, and went to their full pack leafs,also they installed 2 inch King bump stops, wow !!! picked it up Wedesday what a great ride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! unbelievable

 

[Paddy McMahon]

I am considering up grading my Chase mini packs to full leafs (from any of the big three suppliers - although I like Lorenz's dual purpose leafs). However, I have an ARE top and Bedslide plus tools, recovery eq. , etc. that keeps about 450-500# in the rear all the time. Add a little cargo or a light trailer and it will squat the rear a little. I am afraid the full leafs would cause the ride height to suffer at light loads (or empty) and not be necessary since my normal rear axle weight helps to smooth out rear ride. Of course, air bags with full leafs would be the ultimate, but I'm not sure the cost/ benefit would be worth it to me.

I have the same style canopy & bedslide w/ about 300-400# routinely on the bedslide and my truck does not squat down. I am running the Kore mini packs that came with the recon setup. With more bed weight or a decent tongue weight by a trailer my headlights are in the sky so I added pac brake air bags to the rear. Now I can throw a trailer on, a loaded roof rack and full bed of stuff w/ 40# in the air bags and I am level and ride really nice on the highway and suffer only a little loss of articulatoin off road. If you are hard core wheeling off road I think the short travel bags limit your axle travel and you may want to look at the long travel air bags $$. The bags are definately not set up for serious baja style off roading, but for 95% of my use they are fantastic and allow me to put lots of weight +1000# in the bed at times and level the truck out by simply taking the bags from 10psi empty to 40-65psi loaded. There are times I wish I had the articulation of a trophy truck but like most people about 90% of my driving is on the pavement or all weather gravel roads. Good luck.

 

[Bob4x4]

The std airbag set ups will have you give up both droop and compression travel not something that I will pay to do on a truck I knowingly take off road when there is such a well thought out alternative. The price is no doubt higher but I find you will forget the higher price on a product that works well but never on the one that does not.

#ad




Bob

 

[Paddy McMahon]

That's a sweet setup Bob and your comments are right on for anyone who wheels their truck in the gnarly stuff. As a man who just pokes along slogging through mud and snow I don't think I've ever had more than one tire off the ground at a given moment. this setup has served me well probably because of my limited need for axle articulation. Do those long travel require a limit strap if you are getting big air or crossed up where axle droop is substantial?

 

[Regcabguy]

Carli LTA's

I too don't offroad much anymore. Formally,I was using Firestone airbags and can vouch for the much softer ride qualities of the Carli LTA's. It must be do to the greater travel. The Firestone's were like rocks compared to these guys. The ride is much more compliant while still affording good sway control,complimented by the Lorenz setup with special camper valving that Sean dialed in.

 

[Bob4x4]

That's a sweet setup Bob and your comments are right on for anyone who wheels their truck in the gnarly stuff. As a man who just pokes along slogging through mud and snow I don't think I've ever had more than one tire off the ground at a given moment. this setup has served me well probably because of my limited need for axle articulation. Do those long travel require a limit strap if you are getting big air or crossed up where axle droop is substantial?

no limit straps needed with the long travel bags. They are long enough that the rest of the suspension will limit first.

The available travel helps in the low speed stuff also. With an open front diff the rears staying planted helps on the trail. Next on my list will be the new style front sway bar set up from Carli. Watching it work from behind in Baja has shown me how much more comfort can be had. I have quick disconnects on my Jeep so I already have experienced the added articulation. Now I see how much the front sway bar throws you back and forth at speed through the irregular terrain.

 

[Tinman]

The Carli sway bar is next on my list as well. New leafs will be later. I trying to figure out a way to up grade my shocks with the gear I have. I don't really like the 2. 5 Chase shocks KORE offers with the small reservoirs and connecting tubes. I have some of the first gen billet aluminum shocks towers on the 01 that I would be willing to move to the 06 to use some real 2. 5s but I'm not sure what would work. I believe Carli's shock towers are the same height, 4 inches, so their Kings would work. But I was quoted a really good price on Fox 3. 0s from KORE if they would work. Not sure their new towers are taller or not. I like Fox shocks and am familiar with the inside of my 2. 0s and can get valve shims easily.

 

[Regcabguy]

Carli swaybar?

Bob,does the new swaybar have highway/offroad settings? The stiff swaybar seems to work well on the highway,but does indeed suck offroad. Also,is it compatible with the DSS/BD style steering gear support?

 

[ENafziger]

I was sure I replied to this a few days ago, but it's gone... maybe it got pulled because I said the wrong thing?

Anyway, if interested in comments on full leaves, PM me and we'll talk.

--Eric

 

[Bob4x4]

Bob,does the new swaybar have highway/offroad settings? The stiff swaybar seems to work well on the highway,but does indeed suck offroad. Also,is it compatible with the DSS/BD style steering gear support?

The last I talked to the guys it sounded like the arms will have 2 positions that can be utilized. More leverage or less on the torsion bar. The trucks that have run it have the DSS on them as well.



Bob

 

[Regcabguy]

The last I talked to the guys it sounded like the arms will have 2 positions that can be utilized. More leverage or less on the torsion bar. The trucks that have run it have the DSS on them as well.



Bob

Thanks. I've got a friend on the fence for one.