mvusse Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 So the plate with the shock mount sits directly on (under) the original perches and you're using 4 regular (grade 8?) bolts, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEAD_NOT_FOLLOW Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 So the plate with the shock mount sits directly on (under) the original perches and you're using 4 regular (grade 8?) bolts, right? The factory spring plate I flipped and put it "inside" the shock mount plate for added strength, than yes used 4 bolts/washer/locking nuts on the top side with the new spring plate in the kit. This also helps keep the "lip" on the shock mount plate from really being a lip as the factory spring plate has a big "u-bend" for lack of better terms in it. So I guess it goes like this; Motion Spring Plate Motion SOA Spring Perch Axle Tube Factory Spring Perch (welded to axle) Factory Shock Mount Plate Factory Spring Plate It's snowy out, but if you want/need more pics Marcel shoot me a PM and I'll be happy to snap a few for ya. Edit: Found an old pic when I first set it up. Only thing you can't see if the factory spring plate under the factory shock mount plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I think I got it now. I will probably weld new perches on, but keep the old ones on the axle as well. Then run square U-bolts over the spring through the shock mount plate and original spring plate, trimming off any excess U-bolt length almost flush with the nut since they will be pointy end down. Final functionality should be the same as your set up, just implemented a bit differently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Lead......is that bolt-on SOA kit available for the D44 or just the '35? thx, Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james750 Posted January 29, 2009 Author Share Posted January 29, 2009 Could I do that w/o the lower spring perch and just have the spring pad ride on the axle tube? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 I guess you *could*. I personally wouldn't trust it, though. When it comes to suspension and keeping my rear axle where it belongs (underneath the car and preferably running side to side) I don't like to take chances. That includes a (mostly) flat item being held tight against a round tube with the same bolts that hold said axle tube to your springs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Could I do that w/o the lower spring perch and just have the spring pad ride on the axle tube? If I'm understanding you correctly, then no. Something needs to be welded to the axle tube. Rotation will be inevitable otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james750 Posted January 29, 2009 Author Share Posted January 29, 2009 I will probably use an XJ 8.25 spring perch in the end when I go to long travel shocks. For the time being though. After the install will my current shocks bolt up to the spring pads above the axle temporarily, or do I need to find shorter shocks for them to bolt on? Sorry for so many questions, this is the one point where this SOA thing gets to being a multi day task when I only have one day to do the install and need to get everything together before hand so I can make it a one day install. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 It will work temporarily. The springs will still be in the same location relative to the frame, but the shock mount will be above the springs instead of below, so with that set up a shorter shock should be needed. If you don't flex the rear suspension too much and don't carry too much weight you should be okay. If not you would bottom out the shocks, damaging them in the process. And 8.25 spring perches should probably be used only on an 8.25. Those axles have 3" tubes, as opposed to 2.75" for a D44 and 2 5/8" for a D35. The axle tube cut-out in the perch will be the wrong diameter for other axles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWLONGSHOT Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 And 8.25 spring perches should probably be used only on an 8.25. Those axles have 3" tubes, as opposed to 2.75" for a D44 and 2 5/8" for a D35. The axle tube cut-out in the perch will be the wrong diameter for other axles. Those perches are EASILY adjusted to fit any dia axle tube you need. Besides for the UNDER $10 bucks a set, they are a HUGE bargin as well!!! I have put them on three different axles now, no problems making them fit. Couple mins a side with a HS grinder and your ready to weld. :D CW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james750 Posted January 30, 2009 Author Share Posted January 30, 2009 It will work temporarily. The springs will still be in the same location relative to the frame, but the shock mount will be above the springs instead of below, so with that set up a shorter shock should be needed. If you don't flex the rear suspension too much and don't carry too much weight you should be okay. If not you would bottom out the shocks, damaging them in the process. And 8.25 spring perches should probably be used only on an 8.25. Those axles have 3" tubes, as opposed to 2.75" for a D44 and 2 5/8" for a D35. The axle tube cut-out in the perch will be the wrong diameter for other axles. Ill use the original shocks to get it home then, once home I will measure and order some new ones! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpong Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 Whenever I have done a SOA ( 4 to date) I have never been able to reuse the shocks that were on the vehicle. Think about it.. You are shortening the distance by at least 4" most shocks only have 5-6" of up travel.. you will see more then 2" of travel just driving up and down the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james750 Posted January 30, 2009 Author Share Posted January 30, 2009 It will only see the 25 miles from Denver 2 Conifer. Either I need to use the old shocks on there or I will have to find out what shocks I need before I do the swap. I have approx 2.5-3" lift now, so if I get a set of cheap stock shocks will they work for awhile? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigd44889 Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 just get new shock mounts weld them to the axle tube but the stock shocks on drive it home take shocks off twist it up mesure for new shocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpong Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 I believe Jeff Posted up what shocks work and are cheap. Search this thread and I am sure you will find it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james750 Posted January 30, 2009 Author Share Posted January 30, 2009 the problem I see is that I have a AAL (or whatever was put in the truck before I got it) lift of ~2-3". So I have no idea what does and doesn't work because of this. Can someone give me the stock height measurements of the truck and possibly the stock shock lengths, so that I can determine what I need. Thank you guys so much for the help so far!!! :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 Ill use the original shocks to get it home then, once home I will measure and order some new ones! That's what I planned on doing, but didn't happen. Drove home shock-less. It was, in a word, unsettling.....but I made it fine. Not sure about your situation since you already have built in lift (AAL or otherwise), but I can tell ya from experience that stock length shocks with an SOA will not work. Let me look in the morning to see if there's a part # on the shocks I got. I know they are Monroe's, and they fit a Toyota application, but I can get more specific detail when it's light out. IIRC, they were only like $15-$20 each, not bad for a temporary work-around. Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james750 Posted January 31, 2009 Author Share Posted January 31, 2009 That would be greatly appreciated Jeff, Thanks! :cheers: James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Monroe part #32207 Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james750 Posted January 31, 2009 Author Share Posted January 31, 2009 Another question: After I lift the truck is it urgent to get an alignment before I take it the 30 highway miles home, or is death wobble not something to worry about in that time period and I can wait until I get to Conifer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Lifting the front will cause toe-in. Excessive toe-in will set off death wobble. And toe-in may not be obvious because of the nose of a Comanche being narrower in the front. I would take a tape measure and adjust the sleeve on the drag link to get as close to 0 toe-in as you can measure. Then it should be safe to drive it to an alignment shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 How much do you like your tires? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpong Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 You shouldnt have Death wobble from doing a lift install. You might have to much caster, or a toe in/out problem. Caster you can measure with a degree finder.. set it on top of your upper Ball joint. should be around 7*. If you have to much or too lil angle it will cause the rig to feel like you are driving on ice. The toe in you are going to want a 1/8 to 1/4 toed in. If not you will have driveability and tire wear issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james750 Posted January 31, 2009 Author Share Posted January 31, 2009 I will check alignment then and set it up as close as possible myself, then when I get to conifer, Ill get an alignment done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Alignment specs are 0 toe in. And I know from experience 2" toe in WILL set off DW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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