i need some pics of coil set up on a sammy. i have an 88 that is getting waggy 44s, and i want to run coils front and rear. any pics would help. thanks Gary

Here's a couple pics of my triangulated 4-link. I'm running an inverted triangle (converging at the frame) using all radius rods and mounted on the bottom of the frame and on a cross member added just behind the t-case. Also, you should check out my web pages for pictures of Jayson Summers' rig (yes, our host's server his hosed. It may be next week before it's back up :( ). He used a triangulated 4-link, but brings all the control arms from outside the frame back to the axle, converging at the toy diff section.

A few things I've learned from my experience and others - If you use heim joints, spend the few extra $ for the Teflon lined versions! Jayson did not, and we called him squeaky!!! :D. Also, a 3/4 hiem has a limited rotation angle (~15 degrees), if you want a truly flexy setup one joint cannot handle all the angle! I used radius rods, so both ends can share the angle. Jayson did not, and he broke hiems on a regular basis! Also, heim joints are harsh. If you want a soft ride, consider a spring type bushing on one set of arms to cushion shock loads. Which brings me to my final note, Johnny Joints! They have all the travel you could ever want, they have a non metal race, greasable, and almost indestructible!

There are some detailed threads in the General4x4 section addressing geometry concepts (search for antisquat). They also mention several books which are partially applicable (nothing really applies well to us yet).

As far as the front goes, you'll have to wait a bit. Jayson is redesigning his whole setup and will be coils all around by May (no more squeaky heims either). I'd like to do my front some time this year. Jayson came come up with an idea that we've been talking about, and it looks like he will be the guinea pig for the first round. Depending on how his goes, I may have something similar maybe by Zookimelt :).

I'm swapping to Scout D44's and was thinking a coil setup up front also (TJ rear coils)...I've been weighing my options coils vs springs (YJ). Any suggestions.........

BTW: what coils are you running out back? How much lift are you getting? What size tire are you running?

Originally posted by weezman1

BTW: what coils are you running out back? How much lift are you getting? What size tire are you running?


I'm running stock car springs (Black Max from Southwest speed). 5"od x 13" long, 150 lb/in spring rate for the rear. Total lift is about 6" over stock height. I actually designed it for another inch of lift, but my current front leaf setup holds me here for now. I prefer the stock car springs over the junk yard stuff. They are much higher quality, stay consistant, and you know exactly what you have if you want to make any changes. You can get the 5" springs in 11, 13, 16 inch lengths. The 5x13's cost about $35 each.
Currently I'm running 33's ;) . 35s are a possibility once I build a new fuel tank and move the axle back another 2" :D :D :D.

OKcrawler,
How do you like the spring rate of those springs. I'm putting 4" lifted TJ's on mine (all the way around). They are a little stiffer but I also will be running a v6 up front with an 8274 so I'll need the extra rate (I think). how much do your sag (weighted and unweighted ie with your gear and without it vs. the static height of the coil)
That is a pretty styling set up. oh yeah and JJ's rule!
thanks,
Dave
aka Shogunator

I used QA1 coils from summit racing. They are 130lbs. in the rear and 150lbs in the front. They are 14" long and compress to about 12" at ride height. Only 35$ each, which is pretty cheap if ya want to change. I used teflon lined rod ends from aurora with misalignment washers to give me about 34 degrees misalignment. Bad thing about using johnny joints is the fact they dont have a metal race. The rubber bushing in them will allow for slight movement of the axle(caster and pinion angle). However you do it make sure you use big, thick, and long links to locate the axle.

thanks for the replies. any more pics of other setups would be nice so i can see what different ways there are to set it up. thanks Gary

I have an 88 Sammy that I will take pix of tomorrow and figure out how to post or I will send via email to you. Over the winter installed a coil suspension that has NO mounting points below the frame rails, the belly is flat and all the links are the same length front and rear.........so you only need to carry one spare, even though links are made with 1.25 x .250 DOM. Kerry at SOS

looks good but why such short arms just a ???

Dan:massey:

YA, what moto said???

Originally posted by moto261
looks good but why such short arms just a ???


I assume you're talkin' to me....

They go from the axle to a few inches from the t-case. That's as long as I can make them. I'd love for them to be longer, but that's what you have to work with on a Sami. I could make the lowers longer, but that would have screwed up the geometry I was going for......

Actually they are both about 30" long (well ~35" for the triangulated bars).