I am thinking about putting coils onto my 74 Jimmy and I thought that I would go to you guys to help me out with some spring rates. I am thinking that your trucks are about the same weight as my Jimmy. So what rates do you guys like? I will be wheeling in Colorado and Utah so I don't want something to soft that it will feel bad on side hills but I want a nice ride.

well, I know how to cure you of this idea. Come wheeling with me to Iron Chest next week (if I get my sliders on). You can watch my pig lean at 38 degrees on side hills, while my buddy on leafs is at 20!

Seriously, I had my truck weighed empty, and it was 5400 and some change. I use OME HD's, the middle, (they have three hd versions, and the heaviest are rated 360lb/in. I don't know if you can use them as a direct fit, as they are a bit short I would think for a Jimmy/K5.


If I didn't have the flex I do, I would go with around 400lbs to eliminate side lean, with adjustable shocks to lessen the teeth rattling when empty.

j

Throw some anti-rock style swaybars on there and you will have less of a problem on side hills. I would suggest the 300-340lb range (progressive).

Way

Who else besides me is leaning (no pun) towards higher spring rates? I do a lot of loaded wheeling, and want to hear if anyone else has used 360-400 rear/front springs?

j

I've got the 360 lbs in the rear of a D90 (as does Ivor Clegg, and Damien).

My truck weighs 2090 kg, which is about 4598 lbs. It's now a little heavier as it's just got a cage on it, and a rear winch + about 4 gallons of Hydraulic oil!

I had to mount the RS9000 shocks almost vertical to get them enough damping to contol the springs. Very hard fot this weight.

360! Sheesh. I'm running OME 764s (which seem to be 220 - 230 depending on who you believe) and I find them too heavy for the rear of the truck as the rear tends to break away on corrugations etc, and there isa bit less articulation that I'd like. I'm thinking of moving down to 180s in the rear but keeping the 220s up front as with a winch, bar, skidplates etc the front seems about right.
Mike & Wayne Smith run their Rangie in the Outback Challange with 220 front, 180 or 220 rears depending on how much gear they have in it. With the rear of the 90 being a bit lighter than a Rangie 180 may be fine.

Let me know how it goes with the 360s, should shake your fillings loose!;)

300-340 are a little soft for the rear end of mine (very similar to your set-up). I also have trouble controling bounce over BIG dips taken at speed. Around town it doesn't bob very often. However, take heavy consideration in your shocks. I had to rake my rear shocks forward a bit and for every 10 degrees you lose 10% of the effective valving. I am valved super stiff right now also and am thinking that I will need to throw an additional pair of shocks back there. On suggestion...COIL OVERS.

Way

well kids....

the 300-360's in the rear are fine, I am just going to put a two inch spacer in the rear (just got the puck at lunch, drill it tonight install tomorrow).

The real problem is the front and the length/strength. I ordered a set of OME 759 copies from John, and they will be in/on Wednesday. They are 260/300 progressives. Compared to the 230 statics I have now. I don't mind the stiffness, I just run the shocks on position 1 on the street, 5 on the obstacle style trails. I need there length in the front, as with the spacer I am still loosing the 16" springs.

I think the whole problem Way is the disparency between the front and rear rates. I feel that on side hills the front is unloading quicker, then pulling the back, even at a stiffer rate.

Flex is not a concern, as ANY truck that weighs over 5400lbs (empty) will flex when crossed up, pretty much regardless of the spring rate.

As for the teeth rattling, 28 psi on a 235MTR is quite cushy.
The install should be complete Wednesday, and I am going to run something this weekend to find out. You game Way?

Yep!!! :bounce: :bounce2:

Should I start saving the 1$ bills for Shotgun Willies afterwards....LOL!???

Pick a Day. Sunday Might be the best for me as I have a week long company meeting in Denver starting on Monday and will be at a hotel all week. Think the rover will be safe in a Denver Hotel parking lot???

If not, maybe Saturday will be better.

Any others interested. I am game for any trail, whether it be extreme or scenic.

Way

Im with CT on this one. The spring rates you guys are talking about seem really stiff (the 250lb/in + ones). On my buggy im running 130 lb/in front and rear (these coils are stock early RR fronts) On my buisness partners rangie that weighs 6000lb would have about 210lb/in front and rear (this rig is fairly roly on road)

You guys running the really stiff rates - have you ever tried softer coils (im guessing yes). Why did you end up with such stiff coils ??? Is it to get the lift that you wanted or was it to combat body roll and side slope stability?? Also do you run the coils captured top and bottom or do they become free as the wheel droops.

Sam

Originally posted by Strange Rover

You guys running the really stiff rates - have you ever tried softer coils (im guessing yes). Why did you end up with such stiff coils ??? Is it to get the lift that you wanted or was it to combat body roll and side slope stability?? Also do you run the coils captured top and bottom or do they become free as the wheel droops.

Sam

Sam,

I have been on stock, and around 200lb. I do not wheel empty, at least not the majority 95% of the time. I also carry water and fuel on LONG trips, mostly just water though on my rack. I also use the beast to haul various heavy items. SO, that being said the answer is this:

Sides hills?: EXTREMELY tippy when loaded, needed stiffer springs
Body roll?: nice added benefit
Lift?: nice added benefit, but can be gotten with spacers

I run unretained in the rear, with cones, and stock mount fronts.

j

Anyone with a heavy roof rack needs heavier springs as the leverage changes on the springs. I can still stack my springs very easily, so to me that means they are soft for application even at the 300-340P range. Next set will be much stiffer.

I have run many diferent spring set ups. One thing to note is that the more lift you run the stiffer the spring needs to be. With a 2" lift I think a 300-340P would be effectively very stiff.

Way

I agree with you Way - with a 2" body lift [only 4" total with the higher springs] my 130lb front and 150lb rear springs can't handle the roll - I now have to tack up winding roads... The difference was instantly noticable.

Still 340lbs!! Shiat you guys must carry a load o stuff! Roughly what weight would you carry? And how does your wagon travel unloaded?

Here goes:

Typical load when wheeling/camping exploring:

2ea 90lb German Shepherds
1ea spouse 120 lbs
1ea kid 45-50lbs depending on food level
1ea recovery kit, 25lbs
1ea tool kit, (leatherman and tools that I never use) 10lbs
6gal water, 70lbs(?)
10gal gas, (long trip) 50lbs
Camping gear for 3 humans and 2 dogs 120-150lbs, (you know, table, chairs, plates, etc... one must be civilized you know)
Refridgerator w/beer and food, 35lbs

That's an addition 535lbs over the rear axle, and 2/3rds of that on the roof.

Now that's not counting the new rear bumper that will probably weigh in at around 100lbs.

Get it?

OME 762's are rated for an additional 440lbs constant with near stock ride height at full gvwr. Which means that thankfully I still get SOME lift while loaded. Now you understand why 110's get an optional 660lb spring.

j

1ea kid 45-50lbs depending on food level

LOL!!! That is hilarious

I have the largest action packer available that is the approx size of a truck bed tool box. I carry enough fluids to refill the engine, diffs, some water, engine coolant, brake fluid, etc. Plus all of the tools, Jeep straps x 2 (they are often really stuck), tree strap, etc. Not to mention the 2 spares on beadlocks, heavy ass rear bumper and swing out tire carrier, full size roof rack with expanded metal floor, four lights up top, axe, shovel, tall hi-lift jack, ..........well you get the idea. 340 is nothin.

Way

Fair enough:eek:

No wife
no kids
no back seat
35lb dog
modest recovery kit
1 spare tyre
a spade
and a motley collection of second hand K-Mart tools

I think I am safe from 340lb springs....