By Art on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 03:53 pm: Edit

I have a 93 LWB Rangie. I just ordered the custom springs from SG which come in their Stage 2 kit. I ordered just the springs, not the whole kit. I also ordered the brake lines, and a set of cones from RTE. I do plan on adding some longer travel shocks in the future. I would like to go with Ranchos. I'm still a little confused on the whole retaining deal that goes along with this, I do know that I do not want my springs popping out, which this is why I purchased the cones for the rear. What are the options I have in the front with the springs, and what is my best bet? My other question is, will I have to worry about getting shitty steering now due to caster and pinion angles, because of the 2 inch lift in the springs, and should I have to deal with the drive lines.

By Perrone Ford on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 04:05 pm: Edit

Ordered the custom OME springs from $G eh? What are they charging for those things these days? Most people use a shock in the front that is too short to allow the spring to pop out. Simple solution that's pretty cheap.

Your steering will be effected. How much depends on your real ride height difference and your tolerance. You shouldn't have too big a problem with vibrations in that Rangie with only a 2" lift. If you do, you likely just need to replace the u-joints.

Good luck..

BTW, do you know the specs on those springs? Free length, solid length, and rate?

By Alex Schubow (Alex) on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 04:20 pm: Edit

IMO you would be better off with spring clamps/retainers instead of drop-out cones with those springs, which I believe are relatively soft. When you add the longer shocks, pick up a set of Rovertym shock mounts. John can steer you in the right direction regarding which ranchos you should get for the amount of lift you have.

For the front, you can clamp your springs top and bottom (your shocks mount in front of the springs, right?). That'll keep them from popping out. As far as funky steering and vibes, each truck is a little different, but in general it SHOULD be tolerable with a 2" lift. I run a 3" lift on my Disco without any caster correction or DC driveshafts and it's ok.

Alex

By Moe on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 06:50 pm: Edit

"I do know that I do not want my springs popping out, which this is why I purchased the cones for the rear" . . . well with those cones and longer shocks your springs will be popping out and then back in--that is the design. I say send back the cones and get RTE to send you the upper rear shock mounts so you can install your taste of Ranchos and then retain the springs. I bought the EW retainers after seeing both stock and homemade versions blow on the trail. You could build your own, but they better be strong.

http://www.expeditionexchange.com/retainers/

By Alex Schubow (Alex) on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 01:32 am: Edit

Some 3/16" or 1/4" steel strap and a couple 7/16" nuts and bolts is really all it takes. It won't break. Not as sexy or strong as the EE retainers, but plenty strong enough.

I think Al Hang has a writeup on his website on how to make them. Only costs a few $.

Alex

By Moe on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 05:12 am: Edit

The home made retainers I saw were with the 3/16" strap and they failed the first day out. The problem with those single straps is they can easily be leveraged up, especially if the correct spacer or no spacer is used on instal. I imagine if you make them beefy enough the straps will hold and you can spend the $ you save on new shocks I really like my EW retainers, as they are going nowhere. Now only if they came in blue to match the springs and bumpstops, then they would look sexy.

By Ron on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 05:27 am: Edit

Now only if they came in blue to match the springs and bumpstops, then they would look sexy.

Spray paint.

Ron

By Alex Schubow (Alex) on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 05:27 am: Edit

I've been trying to break mine (3/16" thick by 1-1/2" wide) clamps for a year and a half now. I've hung a rear wheel in the air plenty, stretched the hell out of the springs, and no problem... Maybe the ones you saw bust were too narrow, or not long enough. I made mine about 7" long, so there is more "safety" built in. I run these on top of 2" spacers, also. No problems. YMMV

The EE ones are nice.

Alex

By Moe on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 06:01 am: Edit

Yeah, I think you are right. They were not as wide as yours and probably not as long. Another big difference is he is running OME HD and you have the Bearmach. I would think the softer springs put less stress on the retainers? Yes?

By Alex Schubow (Alex) on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 06:02 am: Edit

Yep

Alex

By Art on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 09:09 am: Edit

I paid $400 for the set of four. As for the cones, I understand they will pop out and back in, I just dont want them to pop out, and not go back in. I was told that with longer travel shocks, the cones are a better idea then the retainers.

By RVR OVR (Tom) on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 09:33 am: Edit

Art,

You have to be sure that the shocks, springs, and cones will work together harmoneously. The fact that RTE's cones are made to work with his springs and the shocks he recommends puts you in a bit of a guessing game as far as wether or not the springs will pop out.

Basically, your springs uncomressed length + the lenght of the cone needs to be longer than the distance the shock will allow for down travel. Measure your springs when then come before you install them, along with cones. When it comes time for new shocks, do the math and make sure not to buy some that will allow your axle to droop too much based upon the mounts you will be using.

By John on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 09:46 am: Edit

He will be ok with the springs, etc that he is running, the cones are made to work with a 12" travel shock and 18" free lenght spring. As long as the SG springs measure 18" free lenght. If not I also make a cone for a 16.5" free lenght spring. He wont be using over 12" travel shocks in the future, so I would need to know free spring lenght.

By Art on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 10:00 am: Edit

I was gonna go with thr Rancho 9012's. Which I'm pretty sure will work.

By John on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 10:28 am: Edit

Thats 14" travel shocks with loop to loop mounts which would need new shock mounts...14" travel shocks for discos is extreme requiring a shock mount leaned over so far forward you lose dampening quality. With a 2" lift its even worse...better look closely into what you are doing. Did you tell SG what you want to do and use?

By Perrone Ford on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 10:57 am: Edit

If you want to use a 14" travel shock, use the Bilstein 5100. Its only a few dollars more and can be ordered stiff or very stiff. John at RTE is using the very stiff and likes it a lot.

-P

By Alex Schubow (Alex) on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 11:42 am: Edit

John, when did you change your shocks? I thought you were using the SB 7100s (which cost about $175 each)

Alex

By John on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 11:49 am: Edit

I didnt change them...same ones.Perrone misunderstood I guess...And soft Perrone..
slinky soft...hhehehe....actually 360/80

By AD on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 11:55 am: Edit

LOL

When will Perrone stop posting?

By DA on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 01:05 pm: Edit

Never!

By Art on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 02:06 pm: Edit

So what yall are saying is, using a 14 inch travel shock, which 18 inch springs, and using the RTE cones, is gonna give me some trouble?

By Art on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 02:16 pm: Edit

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I though I saw somewhere that the 5100 series can come in 14 or 12 inch travel. What is the amount of travel the stock Woodheads have?

By Art on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 02:17 pm: Edit

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought I saw somewhere that the 5100 series can come in 12" or 14" of travel. Also, whats the amount of travel the stock Woodheads give?

By Alex Schubow (Alex) on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 02:29 pm: Edit

Art, they do. However, the compressed length of the 14" shock is too long to use on a Disco. The 12" may be ok with a MINIMUM of 3" of lift, 4 would be better.

SB 7100s fit better. Cost double, but fit better.

Alex

By Art on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 03:08 pm: Edit

I dont have a disco, I got a 93 LWB Rangie.

By Alex Schubow (Alex) on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 03:09 pm: Edit

Same rear suspension setup, right?

Alex

By Art on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 03:35 pm: Edit

I got no clue.

Art

By John on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 02:20 am: Edit

Yes Art, same set-up on the RR'er as the disco. You need to measure the free lenght of the springs and determine the rate(ask SG).If its a softer rate spring(as I suspect) you need to retain the spring. You need to determine the lift the springs give. Take off the shock and ramp it...take measurements on the extended lenght a shock would measure and go from there on shock/shock mount selection. But the longest shock you can run will be a Rancho 9005(11 1/4" travel with new shock mounts)if you have a 3" lift. A Bilstein 5100 12" travel can be fitted, but more work...ask Alex. I suspect you are new to the LR'er offroad thing...go slow and ask questions.

By Art on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 09:25 am: Edit

I am new. My problem is I already ordered the cones from you, so I guess I will send those back when I get em. I'm still confused an all this, so I guess I'll just wait till the springs get here.

By Art on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 09:49 am: Edit

I checked with a place today and the 5100's come in 14, 12, and 10. Not lookin to have to get new shock mounts to fit the ranchos, but was wondering if I could get a decent set up out of the 10" opposed to the 12". I would like to try to fit the 12" on, but don't wanna have to deal with alot of problems from it.

By Ron on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 09:54 am: Edit

Art find out what thee length and rate of your springs are and I will see if I can help. Also call John and Rovertym and let him know what you are trying to do. He won;t steer you wrong.

Ron

By John on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 10:03 am: Edit

Art, unless you get the stock replacement Bilstein you will need new rear shock mounts as the 5100's are loop to loop...The stock Bilstein replacement shock is F4-B46-0243-HO...Now you can use lower extensions on the lower threaded stem mount and use those with your new springs and retain the top of the springs if they unseat. There is an article somewhere here in the tech section or on EE's website about the shock extensions. Thats your best ticket right now....no problem on the cones, cancelled.

By Perrone Ford on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 11:16 am: Edit

Speaking of getting new shocks,

Does anyone know where to get the converters for eye to loop? I know one of the jeeps use the same adapters as our truck, but for the life of me can't remember which one.

-P

By Art on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 12:28 pm: Edit

John, thanks for doin that but, don't mean to cause problems, but could you re-order those for me and send em out when you get a chance. I talked to some people and I think I got a set-up that will work. Sorry bout this.