Coilovers!!

[Chevy1925]

What if you stacked a 1000 lb 6" and a 1300 lb 6" with some coupling spacers?

Stacking them effectivly cuts your total spring rate in half. So essentually, what would take 1000 pounds to compress that 1000lbs spring 1" will also compress the bottom spring almost an 1". So it would take 4" or more of total compressed springs to hold the front of the truck up at ride height.

 

[slipclutchms]

Figured I would share what I came up with for a lower mount..... Machined these out if 1/4 wall then machined the spacers and tigged her all together. I used one factory "10.9" bolt and the other is drilled thru the arm and thru bolted.

I also went kinda gusset crazy on the upper mounts haha
Don't worry about the aluminum upper mount.... It's just for mock up

 

[HDdave]

Figured I would share what I came up with for a lower mount..... Machined these out if 1/4 wall then machined the spacers and tigged her all together. I used one factory "10.9" bolt and the other is drilled thru the arm and thru bolted. View attachment 26837View attachment 26838

I also went kinda gusset crazy on the upper mounts hahaView attachment 26839
Don't worry about the aluminum upper mount.... It's just for mock up

Yeah I'd totally buy a set of those.. haha. I am no machinist !

 

[sickdiesel]

So you guys dont think it would be real wise to do coilovers on a truck with the DJM LCAs?

im wanting to do coilovers on it and have all the mounting stuff (same set up as maxd out, since it sits next to my truck in the shop lol) but dont want to fold these DJM arms lol


They are around 8 lbs lighter than factory LCAs. DJM=30.8lbs and factory=38.6lbs

 

[slipclutchms]

I put a set of DJM's on a truck.....I would definitely add some supports along the length of the arm....and remake the shock mount.

 

[sickdiesel]

so you have coilovers and djm lowering LCAs? how low does the truck sit?

 

[cwmeaux1]

Figured I would share what I came up with for a lower mount..... Machined these out if 1/4 wall then machined the spacers and tigged her all together. I used one factory "10.9" bolt and the other is drilled thru the arm and thru bolted. View attachment 26837View attachment 26838

I also went kinda gusset crazy on the upper mounts hahaView attachment 26839
Don't worry about the aluminum upper mount.... It's just for mock up

Nice job on mounts:thumb:

 

[Chevy1925]

So you guys dont think it would be real wise to do coilovers on a truck with the DJM LCAs?

im wanting to do coilovers on it and have all the mounting stuff (same set up as maxd out, since it sits next to my truck in the shop lol) but dont want to fold these DJM arms lol


They are around 8 lbs lighter than factory LCAs. DJM=30.8lbs and factory=38.6lbs

without knowing the type of steel they used and wall thickness, its anyones guess. shock tabs are an easy fix, its the structural integrity of the arm that is the concern

so you have coilovers and djm lowering LCAs? how low does the truck sit?

No, he put a set of DJM lowers on a truck with torsion bars

 

[Chevy1925]

Figured I would share what I came up with for a lower mount..... Machined these out if 1/4 wall then machined the spacers and tigged her all together. I used one factory "10.9" bolt and the other is drilled thru the arm and thru bolted. View attachment 26837View attachment 26838

I also went kinda gusset crazy on the upper mounts hahaView attachment 26839
Don't worry about the aluminum upper mount.... It's just for mock up

i like the top mounts but the bottom i still wouldnt trust with someone that is gunna go play off road. the load needs to be dispersed out more for safety reasons on a kit setup. Im sure that setup would be plenty for you and your driving style

 

[juddski88]

Back a while ago, Pat posted examples of tubular, CM, adjustable Lower A-Arms. I would have to say that compared to any mass-produced option mentioned here, they are the only way to go. Custom is always best.

 

[slipclutchms]

Agreed James....I just wanted a little more insurance than the factory lower mount. Even then it has me wanting to build some new LCA's. Someday haha. For my purposes I think these will be fine. Tim is right on the money, some CM lowers with adjust-ability would be nice.

 

[sickdiesel]

Mine is strip only. hardly any at all street use.

 

[slipclutchms]

I want to build a "strut tower brace" just cause I think it would be hilarious to open the hood and see the look on people's faces haha

 

[JoshH]

Without running the calculations, I would guess moving from a torsion bar to a coilover at the shock mount would put less stress on the LCA.

 

[Chevy1925]

Mine is strip only. hardly any at all street use.

Well, id try calling them and pick their brains. i dont see why what type steel and thickness they use should be any secret. if we are talking .120 mild steel or DOM i wouldnt do it. If its .188 or thicker chromoly or DOM. you would probably be fine.

I want to build a "strut tower brace" just cause I think it would be hilarious to open the hood and see the look on people's faces haha

lol "she hits phat gaps bro"

Without running the calculations, I would guess moving from a torsion bar to a coilover at the shock mount would put less stress on the LCA.

The LCA really isnt my concern, its the sheer/tention stress that is added to those two lower bolts. instead of only controlling the wheels movement, they now hold the whole weight of the vehicle. Again, im thinkin of hillbilly joe that would go out and beat on that setup. thats alot of stress right there that could be easily distributed over the arm better. I have no proof or calculations to back me but my gut and past knowledge is telling me, dont go beating on that.

 

[hondarider552]

How you figure Josh?

 

[juddski88]

How you figure Josh?

the Coilover adds a point of support further from the axis of rotation (lower frame mounts)...geometrically it is stronger

 

[sickdiesel]

Wonder if coilovers and 3" LCAs would be too low lol.

 

[juddski88]

it would be without changing suspension geometry...ball joint angles and tie rod angles would not be very good there

 

[Chevy1925]

Wonder if coilovers and 3" LCAs would be too low lol.

untill someone hits coil bind with the 900* springs, dont look at the coilovers as a "lowering device". IMOP they should still be thought of like a torsion bar for adjusting ride height. if you got the arm to crank some preload into that coil, you can set the front end pretty high. IIRC you need 1+ inch of preload into the 900* coil to get stock or slightly above stock ride height but this depends on your front end weight at each corner