New Downey Lift!

[teotwaki]

I don't think that they get firmer after a while as neither the springs nor the spacers change in any way. It may be that after the excitement of the new look of the lift wears off the driver starts to notice the negative effects of the spacers.

If you think about the stock setup the shock's stroke length and valving rate will be matched to the spring's length and compression rate. When you introduce a spacer you change that relationship such that the shock is getting into firmer dampening before the spring reaches a matching point of compression. The shock will be in the maximum resistance range well before the spring reaches it matching maximum compression point.

I don't think that moving the shock is the right approach unless you are ready to alter the entire suspension design and then you have gone beyond a cheap and simple spacer lift.

Why is it that spacer lifts tend to get firmer after awhile? Is it because the rear shocks are extended farther than they should be?
If this is the case, why don't the spacer manufacturers recognize this and come out with a shock mount that corrects this and positions the shock back within it's normal range of operation?
Can't be that hard for them to come up with this fix.

 

[00328]

I understand what you are saying, but I'm not really talking about moving the shock or shock mount. More like an extended mount so that the shock is operating back to stock specs.
This way you wouldn't be changing that relationship and the shock wouldn't be getting into that firmer dampening range.
Makes sense to me. A spacer lift with a completely stock ride.

 

[Good Times]

Re: clearance

what is the total clearance underneath of the 4r?

...Lance.. with your custom 4r.. what is your clearance now compared to a Downey, spacer, etc..

Thanks,

approx 3 - 3.5" lift so no different from the other lift setup. the extended arms just give me more travel and not more lift.

 

[teotwaki]

Re: Re: clearance

The front started from an A-Arms almost level stance with maybe 8 to 9 inches of clearance. With the lift installed it is in the 10 to 11 inch range in the center and A-Arms more angled. Raining like crazy right now so I have to guess.

The lift in the back allows more travel but the low point of tThe rear axle does not gain any clearance unless you fit larger diameter tires.

 

[Bluto]

no, it changes the spring compression rate, thats why. it firms up the area the spring has to travel... nothing to do with the shocks.

Only the spring rate up front changes due to the pre-load spacer.

The rear spring rate does not change.

However the front struts and rear shocks operating ranges both change, as teotwaki explained very well. I also expect the shocks/struts to wear out faster.

 

[Bluto]

I understand what you are saying, but I'm not really talking about moving the shock or shock mount. More like an extended mount so that the shock is operating back to stock specs.
This way you wouldn't be changing that relationship and the shock wouldn't be getting into that firmer dampening range.
Makes sense to me. A spacer lift with a completely stock ride.

A simple bolt in relocator was attempted and failed (along with the 'company' selling them). The geometry was not maintained, causing rubbing. Search on 'reloc'

I don't know how to properly relocate mounting locations. Maybe you have already read the info. Just a word of warning.

 

[teotwaki]

new lift pictures

readjusted front coilovers and added Revo 265/75/16's

 

[teotwaki]

side view, no longer is the front higher

 

[Falls]

Looks much nicer leveled out.....nice job !!

 

[teotwaki]

Looks much nicer leveled out.....nice job !!

Thanks for the feedback!

I just got back from my trip to Utah. My friend drove his stock Sequoia and I had more clearance and could drive faster offroad than he could. I carried about as much weight and still got better gas mileage. I can't wait to go offroading again.