Been having the same problem also. Had cut out the rear bolt location and just weld the hanger on the plate and reinforced. Noticed each time I go out, I have had to cut more each time along the plate. Still need to do some more from our last run.
Yes, it seems every time it gets cut, it gives the axle more room to move. I need to put this in place and cycle the rear suspension to see if I am welding the hanger arm to the plate or if I will be able to bolt it back up.
Yes, it seems every time it gets cut, it gives the axle more room to move. I need to put this in place and cycle the rear suspension to see if I am welding the hanger arm to the plate or if I will be able to bolt it back up.
Same. Since doing a LT setup, had to just move the bracket in as far as possible and kicked forward. Reinfored.
On my 3rd cutting down the length side, going to get extreme this time and test it again before adding side supports. Seems i can only get it to do hits when I'm on the trails, more flex and compress than a loading ramp.
Finished up the mods to the gas tank skid, painted and reinstalled. Hopefully this will eliminate the driveshaft from hitting the skid. Next move would need to be an adjustable panhard inorder to shift the axle.
Since i had all of the skids dropped, i changed the oil in the transfer case with some Red Line 75W-85 GL-5 gear oil.
Last year, there was so much snow, it was crazy. Ended this year wearing shorts and wheeling in the High Sierra's. Closed out 2017 by running Sourgrass Trail and drinking beer back at the cabin.
Several months back, I had swapped out my Metal Tech LT - HD springs for a set of Dobinson's C59-677V's. The initial ride and weight carrying was a vast improvement. My only complaint was that the ride height was unchanged. I was hoping for an additional inch (insert comment here). After loading the truck up and a few trails, I was back slamming the bump stops. I got a hold of [MENTION=148378]Dobinsons Mike[/MENTION] once again and ordered a set of the C59-701V springs. Mike quickly turned around the order and I had them in a week.
This past weekend I swapped in the new springs using a new method. The last time was a royal pain in the a$$. Because of the LT springs, I had to remove the rear shocks and also remove the upper rear link because it hits the top of the gas tank and would not allow the axle to drop far enough to remove the springs.
This time around, I had ordered a set of spring compressors and installed while the truck was sitting on the ground. Then proceeded to jack up and set the frame on jack stands allowing the axle to drop-out. I then jacked up the opposite side which allows the other side to drop a little more and BAM, out came the spring. Remove the compressors and reinstall on the new spring and crank down, shove up into place, raise the axle, and remove and repeat on the other side. Fully swapped in about an hour.
Here is a comparison of the two springs, the C59-677V is on the left and the C59-701V is on the right.
Several months back, I had swapped out my Metal Tech LT - HD springs for a set of Dobinson's C59-677V's. The initial ride and weight carrying was a vast improvement. My only complaint was that the ride height was unchanged. I was hoping for an additional inch (insert comment here). After loading the truck up and a few trails, I was back slamming the bump stops. I got a hold of [MENTION=148378]Dobinsons Mike[/MENTION] once again and ordered a set of the C59-701V springs. Mike quickly turned around the order and I had them in a week.
This past weekend I swapped in the new springs using a new method. The last time was a royal pain in the a$$. Because of the LT springs, I had to remove the rear shocks and also remove the upper rear link because it hits the top of the gas tank and would not allow the axle to drop far enough to remove the springs.
This time around, I had ordered a set of spring compressors and installed while the truck was sitting on the ground. Then proceeded to jack up and set the frame on jack stands allowing the axle to drop-out. I then jacked up the opposite side which allows the other side to drop a little more and BAM, out came the spring. Remove the compressors and reinstall on the new spring and crank down, shove up into place, raise the axle, and remove and repeat on the other side. Fully swapped in about an hour.
Here is a comparison of the two springs, the C59-677V is on the left and the C59-701V is on the right.
Any guesstimate on how much weight you have in the rear over stock when fully loaded? Also, do you think you are netting at least 2" of lift when you are loaded down?
I just bought a CBI rear bumper and will have about 500lbs of constant load with all my camping gear+bumper in place. Was thinking of doing Icon's 3" Overland springs but am worried it won't be enough. Sounds like this spring could be the ticket?
Ripped into the front between yesterday and today. Front pretty much disassembled and cam tabs removed and Total Chaos cam tabs all welded up and ready to install. Need to get the bushing swapped out on the lower control arm this week.
It was a long and productive week / weekend. Had the bushing swapped out in the LCA's and also had the new Delta Joint installed in the UCA's during the week and also got the Total Chaos cam tabs welded up and ready to install.
This weekend, cleaned up and made sure the cam tabs fit in the gussets and would spin freely, then got them in place and tacked all of them in place. After that, I installed the LCA with the bolts and cams and checked to see if everything spun and worked correctly. Had to make some minor adjustments with a de-burring bit and then checked again until I was satisfied. At this point, removed the LCA and went to town welding. After welding, cleaned everything up with the grinder and rechecked the operation and then painted everything up and then started the re-assembly of the front end. After I had everything put back together, I decided that since I was already there and had the welder out, I would go after the body mounts since I was still rubbing a little after the first BMC.
I learned my lesson on the first go round. This time, I loosened all of the body bolts and removed the bolt at the point of BMC. I had to use a bottle jack to lift the body to get the upper bushing out. Once I had done this, it made getting the sawzall in there a lot easier. Cut out a bit and then started mocking up material to fit and the welded it all back up. So much easier when the bushing is not smoking and melting from the heat. Again, spray with paint and put it all back together and repeat on the other side.
Those 315's may be in the near future now!
Proof of lots of cutting and grinding by this mess. You can see the section of the BMC in the pile.
Spring time in the Sierra's. Got another 4 feet of snow at 5,000' elevation. We headed up Friday after work with a pretty uneventful drive until we got past the town of Murphys. This was about the low limit of the snow line. From there, kept pushing up the mountain behind those that should have chains as well as others that wanted to drive 10 mph. It was not white out conditions and these people must not understand how momentum works on snow and ice. We finally reached Arnold and it was like a winter wonderland.
Now this is where the fun begins. As if we haven't passed multiple signs that say chains required and the fact the road was white with snow and ice, 4 idiots in their BMW must have thought that those signs did not apply to them and since they have a BMW, they can make it up the hill. So no chains or brains and they lost traction in a narrow, winding section of the highway on a blind corner :thumb:. So they jump out and try to kick the snow out from under their tires and attempt to get run over by oncoming traffic. My life was not worth getting out. I took the opportunity to throttle up and roll around them. Arrived to find the driveway clear and then made my way through waist deep snow to the door and started the fire.
Work up in the morning to no power, but hey, wood stove kept us warm all night. Decided to head to town for breakfast and found one spot open due to the power outage, they were working off a generator, so put up with the slow service and smile because, were else are you going to go? On the way down, roads were still iced over. Came to this one section that had a good cross slope and several cars (again, no chains) were snuggled up to the snow bank, stuck and blocking traffic while others stopped to help. At least this was a area that you could see and not quite as dangerous, except those people passing in my lane watching me come right at them.
Thanks goodness everyone was off the road on the way back up. Now this is where the fun really begins, shoveling snow and clearing the deck. Worked up a good thirst and had to make a decision on how to quench that thirst.
Sunday, took the road less traveled and ended up in the town of Sheep Ranch, population 32 (most of which were the sheep). This is a town the time has forgotten.
Road conditions
Idiots:
Morning view enjoying coffee
Dog wondering what happened to the snow ball he just ate
Upgraded to General Grabber X3's in 315/70R17 this week. Need ti do some more trimming on the fenders ala [MENTION=49966]mikey's2010SR5[/MENTION] for some added clearance. Looking forward to getting these dirty.
Side by side of a worn Toyo MT 285/75R17 and the Grabber X3
Since I upgraded to 315's, i knew this day was coming since i was already rubbing the rear of the fender. Took this mod from [MENTION=49966]mikey's2010SR5[/MENTION].
Removed the lined to get acces to the blue and orange clips, then started prying off the fender flare while cutring the tape with a knife. I would reach back with pliers and release the clips when i got to them. Took 1" off the fender and flare. I used a jig saw with new blades which cut real easy. Painted the cut line and spayed the entire inside of the fender with 3M liner.
Time will tell. I haven't dropped the cash for LT, so it may not be a factor. This was a pretty quick project, surprisingly. Done and cleaned up in under 3 hours.
This past weekend, headed out to Overland Expo West and met up with a brother from Colorado. I left Wednesday about noon with some crazy weather in Sacramento, thunder, lightening, heavy rain and some hail! Headed South to Bakersfield (at which point I had to listen to Buck Owens and Merle Haggard) and then turned East. Stopped in Barstow for dinner and of course, more fuel. From there, drove about another 30 minutes and exited the highway and drove down a dirt road about a mile or so and set-up camp as the sun was fading in the West. I got up and early morning light, packed up and continued East to Flagstaff.
Thursday, I arrived in Flagstaff and met up with my brother, and headed into expo and set-up camp. Did the show and all that fun stuff. Met [MENTION=44305]weeeee[/MENTION] at the Rigid booth and [MENTION=148378]Dobinsons Mike[/MENTION] at the Dobinsons booth.
That was OK and all, but since I was all they way out in Arizona, I had to do a little wheeling. So, Saturday morning, I headed down to Sedona to Broken Arrow Trail and had a little fun.
Me and my brother. We met on my 19th birthday on the first day of Infantry training. Ended up in the bunks next to each other and then shipped out to the P.I.
Yeah, he's the one with the LC200
Broken Arrow Trail:
A couple of videos;
Sunday, I woke up at 3:30 am and all I could do was think about everything I had to pack up, so, screw it, I got up, broke down what was remaining, stuffed it into the 4Runner and started the long drive home. Was on the road at 4 am and made it home as I was finishing the last of the 4th tank of gas at 4 pm.
12 long hours, but the wife had made some fresh jambalaya with a cold beer made it all better.
Thursday, I arrived in Flagstaff and met up with my brother, and headed into expo and set-up camp. Did the show and all that fun stuff. Met [MENTION=44305]weeeee[/MENTION] at the Rigid booth and [MENTION=148378]Dobinsons Mike[/MENTION] at the Dobinsons booth.
That was OK and all, but since I was all they way out in Arizona, I had to do a little wheeling. So, Saturday morning, I headed down to Sedona to Broken Arrow Trail and had a little fun.
Me and my brother. We met on my 19th birthday on the first day of Infantry training. Ended up in the bunks next to each other and then shipped out to the P.I. View attachment 298212
Sunday, I woke up at 3:30 am and all I could do was think about everything I had to pack up, so, screw it, I got up, broke down what was remaining, stuffed it into the 4Runner and started the long drive home. Was on the road at 4 am and made it home as I was finishing the last of the 4th tank of gas at 4 pm.
12 long hours, but the wife had made some fresh jambalaya with a cold beer made it all better.
Man, I feel like an idiot for not asking to go for a ride with you that Saturday morning. That trail looks so beautiful. I was in Sedona last night for dinner, before driving to Phoenix, flying a redeye back to Miami, and back at work today!!
It was great meeting you, and thanks for sharing the photos and videos!!!
Man, I feel like an idiot for not asking to go for a ride with you that Saturday morning. That trail looks so beautiful. I was in Sedona last night for dinner, before driving to Phoenix, flying a redeye back to Miami, and back at work today!!
It was great meeting you, and thanks for sharing the photos and videos!!!