Setting up 4runner suspension for an expedition type vehicle... - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Torch2815 · 08-25-2008, 11:08 PM

So here's what I'm wondering... I have read that for my rig (88 runner, sas,37's etc...) I should have a rear shackle angle of 45 degrees.Which is what my truck was set at. This gave me insane droop and up travel but with no sway bars front and rear it was quite the basket case on the highway...But when I loaded it with all my trail and camping gear plus the family it looked like a dog scratching it's butt on the carpet. ( i have 63" Chevy leafs (3pack) with the overload in rear)

So this being said I have adjusted the shackle angle to 77 degrees (empty truck) and the handling has improved drastically, although I havent loaded it to the tits yet... I did take it out to flex it and I can no longer stuff the rear tires into the fenders with the truck empty but I'm sure it will be close once a few hundred pounds of trail supplies are added.

I am trying to find the balance between wheelability and driveability. I live in western Canada and the roads are hilly and wet and far from straight so It has to be OK on the road.

I am wondering if anyone else has gone through similar situations...or am I specia l

???

The front still flexes like mad but doesn't seem to effect the handling as much...

Alucard-HD · 08-26-2008, 09:08 AM

How much arch is in your rear springs

Torch2815 · 08-26-2008, 10:38 AM

I'll measure today when I get back from the dentist, with the spring arch and shackle length etc...

I did a bunch of searching and of course read the FAQ but there is nothing I could find covering this or how to actually properly setup or tune a leaf sprung suspension...

Alucard-HD · 08-26-2008, 11:14 AM

Try giving EMS Offroad a call tell them that the guy with the White Solid axle Chevy sent you their good with offroad stuff

Torch2815 · 08-26-2008, 01:51 PM

OK Here's what I have for measurements with the truck sitting on the ground but totally empty (no top,spare, etc)

Shackles are 7" eye to eye
arc of spring is 4" (center of bolt holes to top of top spring)
4.5" to the bump stop from top of spring pack (uptravel)
4" of shock compression available, shocks are mounted like / \ I want to change them to(I I) soon (12" bilstein 5150's)

So any feedback ???

crashnzuk · 08-26-2008, 05:43 PM

It sounds good to me. If you lost a tiny bit of flex, it isn't the end of the world. Compromise is what you are after.
Travis..

Alucard-HD · 08-27-2008, 02:50 AM

Ditto

Torch2815 · 08-27-2008, 10:41 AM

Thanx guys... I hope It works out well.

I'll let you know once I load it up and take it for a run...

Travis...

Wheelingnoob · 08-27-2008, 02:59 PM

I'm going though the same thing on my truck right now. I'm first going to try and stand my shocks (5125's) up as straght as possible right now there like /\. With the 63" chevys (3/4 ton 4 leaf pack) and my 2nd gen 4runner loaded its a bit of a handfull on the road. Loaded for me is 300-400lbs of gear with about 100lbs of it on the roof. Right now even unloaded it feels very soft in the back around corners.

If standing the shocks up dose not help I will move the rear hanger.

Jeremy

Torch2815 · 08-27-2008, 05:06 PM

Thats the next step for me too...Keep me posted as to what you find if you beat me to it.

08-25-2008, 11:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Torch2815 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Member # 72462 Location: Langley, BC, Canada Posts: 26	Setting up 4runner suspension for an expedition type vehicle... So here's what I'm wondering... I have read that for my rig (88 runner, sas,37's etc...) I should have a rear shackle angle of 45 degrees.Which is what my truck was set at. This gave me insane droop and up travel but with no sway bars front and rear it was quite the basket case on the highway...But when I loaded it with all my trail and camping gear plus the family it looked like a dog scratching it's butt on the carpet. ( i have 63" Chevy leafs (3pack) with the overload in rear) So this being said I have adjusted the shackle angle to 77 degrees (empty truck) and the handling has improved drastically, although I havent loaded it to the tits yet... I did take it out to flex it and I can no longer stuff the rear tires into the fenders with the truck empty but I'm sure it will be close once a few hundred pounds of trail supplies are added. I am trying to find the balance between wheelability and driveability. I live in western Canada and the roads are hilly and wet and far from straight so It has to be OK on the road. I am wondering if anyone else has gone through similar situations...or am I specia l ??? The front still flexes like mad but doesn't seem to effect the handling as much...

08-26-2008, 05:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
crashnzuk Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Member # 17632 Location: West Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,370	It sounds good to me. If you lost a tiny bit of flex, it isn't the end of the world. Compromise is what you are after. Travis.. __________________ 74 Ramcharger, 360, 4spd, 60/70 on 37s 91.5 Dodge 6BT 5 spd tow rig

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08-26-2008, 09:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
Alucard-HD Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Member # 119191 Location: Kresgeville PA Posts: 5	How much arch is in your rear springs

08-26-2008, 10:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Torch2815 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Member # 72462 Location: Langley, BC, Canada Posts: 26	I'll measure today when I get back from the dentist, with the spring arch and shackle length etc... I did a bunch of searching and of course read the FAQ but there is nothing I could find covering this or how to actually properly setup or tune a leaf sprung suspension...

08-26-2008, 11:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
Alucard-HD Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Member # 119191 Location: Kresgeville PA Posts: 5	Try giving EMS Offroad a call tell them that the guy with the White Solid axle Chevy sent you their good with offroad stuff

08-26-2008, 01:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
Torch2815 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Member # 72462 Location: Langley, BC, Canada Posts: 26	OK Here's what I have for measurements with the truck sitting on the ground but totally empty (no top,spare, etc) Shackles are 7" eye to eye arc of spring is 4" (center of bolt holes to top of top spring) 4.5" to the bump stop from top of spring pack (uptravel) 4" of shock compression available, shocks are mounted like / \ I want to change them to(I I) soon (12" bilstein 5150's) So any feedback ???

08-27-2008, 02:50 AM	#7 (permalink)
Alucard-HD Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Member # 119191 Location: Kresgeville PA Posts: 5	Ditto

08-27-2008, 10:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
Torch2815 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Member # 72462 Location: Langley, BC, Canada Posts: 26	Thanx guys... I hope It works out well. I'll let you know once I load it up and take it for a run... Travis...

08-27-2008, 02:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
Wheelingnoob Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Member # 110439 Posts: 30	I'm going though the same thing on my truck right now. I'm first going to try and stand my shocks (5125's) up as straght as possible right now there like /\. With the 63" chevys (3/4 ton 4 leaf pack) and my 2nd gen 4runner loaded its a bit of a handfull on the road. Loaded for me is 300-400lbs of gear with about 100lbs of it on the roof. Right now even unloaded it feels very soft in the back around corners. If standing the shocks up dose not help I will move the rear hanger. Jeremy

08-27-2008, 05:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
Torch2815 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Member # 72462 Location: Langley, BC, Canada Posts: 26	Thats the next step for me too...Keep me posted as to what you find if you beat me to it.