Take overloads off or not?

[TheBac]

Hoping to install the Caltracs this weekend (besides so damn much else to do) and was wondering if it'd be a good idea to remove the overload leaves while I was at it?
Its my understanding it'll lower the rear an inch or so, plus make the suspension a bit softer, which may help it squat better.

Thoughts?

 

[sweetdiesel]

I like it

 

[minisub]

Me too.

Weird timing tho' You going to take them back out a month or so from now or leave them on all winter?

 

[tylerrustLB7]

Pull it,rides alot better.....till you add the cal-tracs:rofl:.Naw it not bad aslong as you dont drive around with alot of preload in them.

 

[MMLMM]

Mine are gone. Much happier with the ride and the look.

If I decide I need to start towing anything heavier than a car again I'll pick up some air bags.

 

[Turbotug]

One of these day I'm gonna weed out my leaf packs and finally install the air bag set up I bought a few years ago...

I would not recommend driving around with the pre-load bolts installed in the Cal-tracs for everyday driving..

 

[TheBac]

Me too.

Weird timing tho' You going to take them back out a month or so from now or leave them on all winter?

Not when you consider that I usually start racing again in the fall.

Just add these to the list of stuff I have to change out on Nov 1st. :rofl:


I had read that you shouldn't run around with preload on the bars. That makes more than a bit of sense. Appreciate the info. Thanks guys. Overloads = goodbye. Wish me luck...

 

[TIM Z]

Good luck Tom,

What do you think they will shave off your ET ?

 

[tylerrustLB7]

Not when you consider that I usually start racing again in the fall.

Just add these to the list of stuff I have to change out on Nov 1st. :rofl:


I had read that you shouldn't run around with preload on the bars. That makes more than a bit of sense. Appreciate the info. Thanks guys. Overloads = goodbye. Wish me luck...

Good luck,3 hours your done.

 

[maine04max]

when you guys are talking preloads , do you mean backing off the bar or taking the top pin out?????

 

[TheBac]

Good luck Tom,

What do you think they will shave off your ET ?

Heck if I know, Tim. But in combination with the shocks, hoping to shave .10 off the 60ft. 1.60 has a nice ring to it.

Good luck,3 hours your done.

You've obviously never seen me work on a vehicle before. Double that estimate and you'll be close. :rofl: That reminds me..I have to go get a ball joint press.

 

[Turbotug]

Pin out.

Mines actually a bolt..

 

[maine04max]

hmmmmmm I just got mine this week and there is a pin with clips on the outside. should I take that out and put in a grade 8 bolt or something instead???????

 

[Turbotug]

I believe the newer ones use a pin instead. My set is 4+ years old.

 

[TheBac]

Pins here. 5 hours or so to do these. Overloads stayed on...didnt have bolts long enough to replace the center pins and wife was out shopping, so no transportation. Drivers side takes twice as long as pass side due to fuel tank and hitch being in the way. Bushings were easy...use a screwdriver to pry the spring eye open slightly, use an air hammer to fold flared edges of bushing inward, spray a little lube around the bushing and use a 34mm socket and sledgehammer to smack the bushing out, then use same to pound alum bushing back in.

They're done. On to the next item on my list.

 

[Dozerboy]

So you gave up on your snubber?

 

[TheBac]

So you gave up on your snubber?

I wouldnt say gave up....I feel I have limited runs left in this combo, and IMO the caltracs are going to give me the best chance to reach my goals.

I just havent been able to get to the track and make enough passes to figure the snubber out. I aint Trent. :rofl: Sorry.

 

[TheBac]

Cool. Got the overloads removed tonight in time for tomorrows GTG. Simple hardened allen head cap screw took the place of the pins.

 

[dmaxlover]

Maybe a stupid question but, with a 4x4, wouldn't you want to keep rear squat to a minimum so the front tires keeps as much traction as possible while drag racing? Isn't this why some people clamp there springs?

 

[TheBac]

I am under the impression that changing the Caltrac setting to what Trent has hypothesized (top hole) will actually cause the rear to lift slightly, or at the very least keep the truck level on launch. Im still not convinced that a 4x4 (read AWD) car or truck needs squat to launch correctly. We'll find out tomorrow.

BTW, I think the whole trouble with the snubber was that I had it cranked down on top of the pinion, thereby making a solid suspension, which is a no-no. My mistake. I can work on that next year.