H E L P ---- Too much flex.....

[Mahalas]

Parking in my usual spot today I heard a huge clunk. Some quick investigation revealed that my drive shat balancing weight contacted the gas tank skid....
Ok no problem I got a GFH and made some space. " But wait this isn't even flexing... "
borrowed my neighbors forklift for 5 min and now I need some advice...









Gas tank I'm not too concerned about. I'll move it over as much as possible and the rest a hammer or cutter will solve.
What I'm concerned about is, am I bottoming out my shocks or is the junk yard bump stop enough?









Toytec super flex coils with the extended Bilstein 5100 (9602R703)

Any help or info is much appreciated.

Oh and just for the record.... Too much flex, There can never be.

 

[4eigner]

Can't you just measure the shock height when it's compressed in there all the way and compare it with the shock specs?

 

[TCMach]

I had this issue quite a bit, then I adjusted my panhard bar shorter and I have less issues. If you dont have an adjustable, perhaps a drop bracket will change the arc of the axle/driveshaft enough to clear the skid

 

[Mahalas]

Can't you just measure the shock height when it's compressed in there all the way and compare it with the shock specs?

Mannnn, now why didn't I think of that.
Thanks

 

[Mahalas]

I had this issue quite a bit, then I adjusted my panhard bar shorter and I have less issues. If you dont have an adjustable, perhaps a drop bracket will change the arc of the axle/driveshaft enough to clear the skid

I already welded in my drop bracket. Messed around with it for a while to get a centered axle with a light load. I thought it would be ok but turns out it should of been set to the right a little and I would just have to live with the dog tracking.

 

[ARC]

I already welded in my drop bracket. Messed around with it for a while to get a centered axle with a light load. I thought it would be ok but turns out it should of been set to the right a little and I would just have to live with the dog tracking.

Am I correct in thinking you installed the Toytec relocate bracket for the PH bar?

 

[Mahalas]

Am I correct in thinking you installed the Toytec relocate bracket for the PH bar?

Yup that's the one.

I was just under the truck looking for the part number for the shocks and checked the gas tank skid.
Looks like there is a spacer holding the tank about 3/4 - 1 inch away from the frame and about 1/2 inch space between the tank and the skid on the side, so I should be able to squeeze out the space I need. Also the tank is steel and not plastic :thumb: BFH if need be.

 

[Mahalas]

For any one looking for the specs for the so called Bilstein 5100 9602R703
the real part number is 33-187174 they are 14.91 compressed and 23.50 extended.

 

[4eigner]

For any one looking for the specs for the so called Bilstein 5100 9602R703
the real part number is 33-187174 they are 14.91 compressed and 23.50 extended.

Great. Let us know how far you are from bottoming out those fjc bilsteins, if you're not already. It'd good info for those wanting to used the GM junkyard spacers (that don't appear to be cut), with that spring and shock combo.

 

[ARC]

I had this issue quite a bit, then I adjusted my panhard bar shorter and I have less issues. If you dont have an adjustable, perhaps a drop bracket will change the arc of the axle/driveshaft enough to clear the skid

Yup that's the one.

I was just under the truck looking for the part number for the shocks and checked the gas tank skid.
Looks like there is a spacer holding the tank about 3/4 - 1 inch away from the frame and about 1/2 inch space between the tank and the skid on the side, so I should be able to squeeze out the space I need. Also the tank is steel and not plastic :thumb: BFH if need be.

I did not change my panhard from stock and best I can tell I do not have this issue. Though I am not sure how to try and replicate that much flex since I don't have access to a forklift.

With stock PHB/location my axle is about 3/4" off center to the passenger side at ride height. Does not appear to have any negative impact yet.

 

[slomatt]

Mahalas,

There's a little slop in the rear mounting points for the gas tank skid, you might be able to loosen it and slide it away from the driveshaft. When I did this I got about 1/2" more clearance. You can also use a hammer to dent the skid in a bit at that location. If you had an adjustable track bar you could use it to pull the axle away from the skid as well.

I had the same problem with I first installed my SS 1.2 lift. Since then I bent the gas tank skid (and the tank) on a rock and replaced the skid with an aftermarket part that has a lot more clearance from the driveshaft.

- Matt

 

[MStudt]

Hitting the gas tank is not that uncommon on these. Easiest way to fix the problem is to remove some of the skid. Adjusting/shortening your panhard bar is fine if you're OK with your axle being off center. Keep in mind that you decide to mess with your panhard. Every bit you move it in one direction will only bring the other side closer to your frame rail. Off centering the axle will cause you to contact more of the flare, more of the frame, and so on. You just need to message your skid some.

 

[Mahalas]

Great. Let us know how far you are from bottoming out those fjc bilsteins, if you're not already. It'd good info for those wanting to used the GM junkyard spacers (that don't appear to be cut), with that spring and shock combo.

Tested again today.... Shock is bottomed out.

 

[4eigner]

Thanks for the update.
What are your plans from here? Modify bumpstops, new shocks?

 

[Mahalas]

I tacked a 1.5" spacer made from 2.5" exhaust pipe on top of the bump stop and tested again.
I was thinking of going back to the factory ones with a spacer, but after chatting with my dad we decided the softer ones were a better choice. Mind you we didn't realize just how soft they are.









If I'm measuring right (and I think I am from what I looked up online) the 1.5" spacer is enough.
This is with no sway bar and lifting the other wheel off the ground.









This is the finished product.







Oh and there is about 19'' of travel on the out side of the wheel.

 

[D Farms]

hey so i just installed my tundra lc lift( 8.25/8.75 in the back) and im having the same problem, the drive shaft runs right into the gas tank at full flex, ive still got stock panhardbar and bump stops, I think part of the reason it happens is because of the longer pandhard bar, it moves the axles more to the left, if you had a panhard lift bracket on the axle it would fix several problems, it would make the truck less tippy, and also handle better because the panhard bar would be sitting level giving a much better arc, since the lateral movement would be less. also ill have to take a look at the skid plate to see if i can adjust it, also can you move the gas tank as well?