I really like the idea of being able to suck down the front for steep climbs and to pre-load the uphill side for nasty off cambers but don't really want to mess with the contraption of pulley's that would be required to use one winch for both.

Anyone see problems with using a set of 6000lb ratchet straps? Has anyone done this already with good or bad results?

I'd bolt the ratchet mechanism directly to the frame and the other end to the axle. It looks like I can probably use the same bolts as my current limit straps and normally I'd have the ratchet strap looser (or the same as a backup) than the limit straps but when I need to suck down the front or just one side I'd crank one or both down a couple inches.

It would probably work, but I think you could find your self cursing the ratchets when you can't get them to release with the suspension loading them.

I would probably get sick of wheeling with you very quickly.

i would probably get sick of wheeling with you very quickly.



lol +1

Shock load would probably destroy the ratchet mechanism in just a few trips.

At least you picked the right day.


- Lee

Why not just an ass load of bungee cords?

yes Virginia, it is Tuesday

Why not just an ass load of bungee cords?

thats what i use and it works great :flipoff2:

I would think you could use lead weights or sand bags and put them on the front or side you want weighted down, what a great idea. You would get a work out while wheeling!

I just invite my fat friends to seat in front when I want to suck the front down :D:D:D and if I need the rear down I put them in the back.:laughing::laughing:



( I can make fat jokes cause I a larger person :laughing::laughing: )

I don't want a workout while wheeling, so you need to use 55 gal drums. One on each side and front/back, but only fill one up with water. Use a pump to shift the water from drum to drum as needed. It will only take a couple minutes depending on the pump (Hydrolic? Electric? PTO?). Of course you'd have to build a cage for each drum as they wouldn't survive a roll without one, but that shouldn't be too hard to accomplish. As a bonus, if you wanted to you could pump all the water out and you'd have a redi made Cuban escape vessel ready to head to Fl.

Damn, that would be tits.:smokin:


Yes, it's fawkin Tuesday again, go figure.

PTO pump would be boss.

Or a Power Plant and use airpressure to blow out the ballast!

PTO pump would be boss.

Or a Power Plant and use airpressure to blow out the ballast!


How about a PTO with a powerplant as a backup in case the engine stalls? That way it could have twice the plumbing, and a set of driveshafts.

Damn, this is sounding kickass.:smokin:

Shock load would probably destroy the ratchet mechanism in just a few trips.




- Lee

Yes, and you would be out like 10 whole bucks. :flipoff2:

Well hell, why use ratchet straps when you could use comalongs?

If this is an "active" suspension then I don't think I want one.

If you are for real then how do you think that you are going to preload the left and right sides for sidehilling? RATCHET STRAPS? Really?

You on the trail: "Just a second everyone Im going to just jump out here for a 3 minute break while I move my ratchet strap to the left side here"...... uh....just a minute......ok just a few more minutes.......almost got it here guys.........hey where is everyone going? ......don't you guys need to adjust your RATCHET STRAPS? Oh thats right NO ONE uses ratchet straps except for YOU! Guess what? .....you don't need them!!!!!! That's why.

Why not just build a Jeep with a low COG and good anti-rocks set up and get yer but out there and wheel?

Your ideas are crap and that is why everyone on this board is going to keep flaming you. :mad3:

I suppose I'm going to just get re-reamed by jumping back in on this, but I am using anti-rocks and it IS nice and low. I've been building this for a year and it's my first non-leaf spring ride so I'm probably over analyzing how having a very free-moving suspension is going to act.

I'm sure I have some Christmas money coming in a few days so I'm going to pony up for TWO straps, one for each side and have the ratchet mechanism bolted right to the frame. They're 6000 lb capacity like what you'd tie your shit down on a trailer so I don't anticipate having problems ruining them with shock loads or getting them to release with a hundred pounds or so tension on them. Besides, there are also limit straps so they will only be in use when my sphinter is making diamonds cause I'm lifting a tire or two in a bad way.

I'll post a picture when I have them on just to give you guys another laugh...

I suppose I'm going to just get re-reamed by jumping back in on this, but I am using anti-rocks and it IS nice and low. I've been building this for a year and it's my first non-leaf spring ride so I'm probably over analyzing how having a very free-moving suspension is going to act.

I'm sure I have some Christmas money coming in a few days so I'm going to pony up for TWO straps, one for each side and have the ratchet mechanism bolted right to the frame. They're 6000 lb capacity like what you'd tie your shit down on a trailer so I don't anticipate having problems ruining them with shock loads or getting them to release with a hundred pounds or so tension on them. Besides, there are also limit straps so they will only be in use when my sphinter is making diamonds cause I'm lifting a tire or two in a bad way.

I'll post a picture when I have them on just to give you guys another laugh...

I'm using tie down straps as limiting straps in the front of my shit. I'm doing this because I've broke everything else I've tried to use (including winch cable) when I put water in my front 44's. I cut the ratchet in half (it still works) and welded it to the axle. The other end is fastened to the chassis. They are still adjustable, but I never adjust them. They are redneck as fuck, but strong enough to work.

If you think your going to need to suck down the front, use a winch. I use my regular front mount winch for this, and it's fine. You'll never be able to suck the suspension down enough with the ratchet straps to make a difference. And as said before, it would be a fawkin nightmare getting out and doing it.

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp146/SneakyAaron/100_0363.jpg






Take that shit you fawkin haters!!!
:flipoff2::flipoff2::flipoff2:

All I can say is, WOW!:eek:
J.B.

how about using cheap harbor freight 2500 lb atv winches as suck down winches instead, since they wont have much load on them to suck down suspension they should last a long time, and at 50 bucks thats not bad if your a poorman, hell a set of half way crappy ratchet straps will cost 25-30 bucks at wall mart anyways.

Wal-Mart sells a "trailer winch" for $50...

How bout a winch from Harbor Freight with a ratchet strap from Wall Mart?
Fricken awesome garage built engineering at its purest level.


This threads gettin good.

I actually laughed my ass off when you posted that pic of the ratchet strap welded to the Rockwell axle.

Im thinking it is a pretty good idea.:) Hillbilly but dam good.

Take that shit you fawkin haters!!!
:flipoff2::flipoff2::flipoff2:

I jumped on this bandwagon, too!

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=483153&stc=1&d=1259548153