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TnA's 86 Jimmy Shop Build / Product Development Thread - (Trailing Arms?!?!)
- Thread starter CFMi
- Start date
...flexy connecting bracket for leaf springs.....?
This.
...flexy connecting bracket for leaf springs.....?
Looks like some sloppy sidehilling to me
Gold star for everyone! Although I am a little disappointed to hear that they already exist... I just sorta came up with them a little while ago in my head when thinking about how to get rid of some of the binding that happens when leaf springs flex. It seems to me that the shackle upper bushing, shackle lower bushing, front leaf bushing should all play a similar roll in holding the leaf spring perpendicular to the frame. Then the u-bolts/ubolt plate should play a little bigger roll in holding the leaf spring perpendicular to the axle. So as a somewhat educated but pretty random guess, I'd say that by adding this LSAP (Leaf Spring Axle Pivot) you could lose about 30% of that "side-hilling" stability. So a rear track bar might be needed, or maybe it wouldn't be too noticable, I dunno. If someone else has made these before though, has anyone heard of them, and how they worked? I'd definitely be curious. What I drew up here should work out to be equivalent to about a 3" block - I currently have a 4" block in the truck, and then with some 6" shackles instead of the factory 4's.... It'd be absolutely perfect!!!!! I'm seriously thinking about pulling the trigger and trying these out
Lol!! Awesome! ....The rear bumper hasn't been put back on for a reason!! Stay tuned...
-Darren
So, because I have no life, I have been sitting here reading about these everywhere I could find on the interweb. This is the main place I found that makes them.
http://www.bcbroncos.com/rearsusp1.html
I think your design seems safer, because they are welded to the axle. It sounds like these are too unstable for street driving based on what I have read. It seems people have given up on them in favor of the orbit eyes in the springs. I also read one account that said they can cause a surprise body shift and may lead to rollovers. All of this is obviously second hand information.
http://www.bcbroncos.com/rearsusp1.html
I think your design seems safer, because they are welded to the axle. It sounds like these are too unstable for street driving based on what I have read. It seems people have given up on them in favor of the orbit eyes in the springs. I also read one account that said they can cause a surprise body shift and may lead to rollovers. All of this is obviously second hand information.
of course, rollover pics will be mandatory!!!
Wow, I really don't like that design much, although it is much shorter in height than my idea. I think mine would end up being a little safer, but I don't think it would work much differently other than maybe having a little more articulation than theirs. Interesting...
The picture they show certainly proves that there is some needed movement at the axle right there though. It looks like they use really small bolts too - I've got mine designed out of all 3/8" plate with 5/8" bolts and the pivot bolt is a full 1" bolt. I'm not going to take any chances!!! Lol.
I really can't see how these would cause any unexpected unloading of the suspension, unlike the "revolver" shackle concept does. I can certainly see that they might make the rear end feel a little less "planted" under the vehicle though, but I'm used to driving a super-soft coilovered rig on the street so it might not feel too bad to me. One thing to note about the unexpected body roll - if you look at the picture there, they have done one of my big pet peeves: just look at those shocks!!! They are mounted at almost the same point in the center of the vehicle (at the top). Talk about zero body control! I think that if they are pushing that design, then there is at least half of the problem their customers are experiencing with the weird body movements, Lol!!
I don't know, I'll just have to try them out later. As for today though - engine needs to come out!!
-Darren
of course, rollover pics will be mandatory!!!
Real quick before I go start pulling the engine...
I just want to say that I love these CK5 forums, or more accurately I really like the attitudes of the members. There are other forums out there that I just can't stand due to the members, not to mention any names or anything. Arghhhh, Matey! I get a good laugh out of comments like these, I love the fact that everyone (well almost everyone here) can rag on each other a bit in a good-natured and fun way.
You guys are awesome!!!
-Darren
well we also love our vendors who spend the time to interact with us and get our feedback and keep us in the know. theres a big difference between the vendor/user feedback relationship on ck5 vs over there.
its almost like having "friends" that just happen to make the parts you want to buy. very convienant.
that said, serious bout being chop chop. if you come out with a bumper after I've already built my own. I will expect a discount.
^^this...
of course you know I say these things in jest...I wish no harm or injury to anyone....
well, most anyone...no one here
when ever I can afford it I pan on getting you're t/c crossmember...it is sexy.
of course you know I say these things in jest...I wish no harm or injury to anyone....
well, most anyone...no one here
when ever I can afford it I pan on getting you're t/c crossmember...it is sexy.
^^this...
of course you know I say these things in jest...I wish no harm or injury to anyone....
well, most anyone...no one here
when ever I can afford it I pan on getting you're t/c crossmember...it is sexy.
It's weird, your comment of "friends" struck me - I have been thinking of everyone on these forums that way without even realizing it. Very Badass!
Thanks for the kind words, and I'm gettin' ready for the rear bumper design very soon...
Oh, and BTW....
...Engine's out!!!!
-Darren
So who can guess what would have possessed me to remove two perfectly good motor mount supports in the second picture?????? (with the factory engine crossmember to be removed shortly as well of course)
?????
?????
Making your own?
Sort of.... Here is the start of a massively overbuilt but easier to fabricate ultra-duty replacement engine crossmember!
-Darren
-Darren
And here we go... Trial fit showed a few little modifications needed, mainly in my accuracy in welding one particular plate. I think it will work out pretty good in the end though. I need to get this one side nailed down in terms of bolt hole spacing just a hair better, then I can move forward and build upon this base piece. The end result will be a crossmember with a removable center section like my other crossmember, and also have a track bar mount. Should be pretty cool in the end.
But I think I'm going to hit the road and head home for the day. Maybe a little more to come tomorrow, but I have a lift install in the AM, so it sorta depends on how that ordeal goes, lol.
-Darren
But I think I'm going to hit the road and head home for the day. Maybe a little more to come tomorrow, but I have a lift install in the AM, so it sorta depends on how that ordeal goes, lol.
-Darren
y5mgisi
1 ton status
You are doing very cool things!
Well, after a TON of time on the computer... I finally have what I think is a finished product ready to build. This one was one of the hardest I've designed in a long time - the frame rails taper in, and the motor sits down at an angle, so there are multiple compound angles all over this thing. What a PITA!!!! But after actually fabricating two side pieces to see where bolt holes would actually line up in the real world and adjusting slightly after each one, I think I'm finally there, or at the very least extremely close! The next step is to go forward and fabricate a whole assembly, but I'm now out of 1/4" steel so I'll have to get some more before I go any further. Here's a rendered pic from the computer for you all to check out though!!
Later!
-Darren
Later!
-Darren
