coilovers

Re:

How much do your springs compress from free length with the jeep sitting on them?

That is how you calculate your sprung weight, and can get a baseline for what rate you need.

As for length, you'll want a 16" lower and 14" upper on a 14" travel shock, regardless of rate.


I wouldn't think you'd want ANY more than a 200 lb lower coil if you are going to use a dual rate stop.

Now Maybe if you had your dual rate stop set really high, and were using it as a "big hit catcher" for the last 1- 2" of travel or so, then a super heavy bottom spring might be desirable. But then you run the risk of hitting block height on your upper spring if it is a lot lighter than the bottom.

I think I'd rather run air bumps for hit control than trying to "spring it" into the coilover.

Re: Re: Re:

TBItoy said:

How much do your springs compress from free length with the jeep sitting on them?

That is how you calculate your sprung weight, and can get a baseline for what rate you need.

As for length, you'll want a 16" lower and 14" upper on a 14" travel shock, regardless of rate.


I wouldn't think you'd want ANY more than a 200 lb lower coil if you are going to use a dual rate stop.

Now Maybe if you had your dual rate stop set really high, and were using it as a "big hit catcher" for the last 1- 2" of travel or so, then a super heavy bottom spring might be desirable. But then you run the risk of hitting block height on your upper spring if it is a lot lighter than the bottom.

I think I'd rather run air bumps for hit control than trying to "spring it" into the coilover.

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I have manual bump stops as a last resort to stop the big hits. The most recent tuning I did on my shocks are the best it's been since linking. I lowered it a little bit by backing off the preload about a half inch worth of threads, and set the dual rate stop rings to where they set about 1/4" above the dual rate slider at static ride height. So it starts getting into the lower spring pretty much all the time, but isn't exactly depending soley on it. Now it is more stable than it's ever been, and still rides cushy like a Cadillac over bumpy rocks. There is no predicting it out on what the optimum settings are. You just have to try to get it close, use trial and error.

I'm with Nick on the 200, maybe 250 lower spring - no more. Then maybe 150-175 upper, possibly even 200 upper if the ride height is unobtainable. But you def need 16" and 14" springs if they are 14" travel shocks.

rpf500 said:

Anyone running CO's on a YJ and have specs to share? Buddy I wheel with runs 200/300 in front with a SBC. Im 350/350 thinking I could try a 200/250 to start with. I can't seem to figure out how rate and length correspond.

Meaning, I have 14" #350 lower. Would that be the same (height wise) as say a 16" #300 lower? Hard to explain in text form what Im trying to get at.

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im running 150/100 in the front on 14" coilovers. approx. 4" uptravel. 200/250 will be STIFF in my opinion.

Great info guys. I think I am getting closer the more I read.

I will try to get you guys my "sprung rate" tonight. I don't know from memory how much they compress.

On a side note, can someone explain why the PO would have taken the dual rate stop rings off the front and left them on the rear? Right now, they are totally useless anyway because they are so far away from the slider it's not even funny.

Here's the formula for figuring your spring rate and sprung corner weights. Don't use the calculators from any of the spring companies websites, they will recommend way too stiff springs for what we do


Initial spring rate=(Main spring rate * Tender spring rate)/(Main spring rate +Tender spring rate)

Shaft showing= Shock Travel – ((Corner weight/Initial spring rate)-Pre-load distance)

Re:

Wait, what motor is in this jeep (for weight reference)? V8?

STOCK 6 CYL

rpf500 said:

STOCK 6 CYL

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Yeah you'd probably be pretty good with spring rates close to mine then (150/200), for some reason, I had it in my head you were running a v8.

Re:

The 6cyl in that Jeep is as heavy as a v8.

You can also adjust the slider stops all the way down where it locks out the upper spring to make calculating the weights easier

I'm anxious to see what spring rates work out for him. Please don't take this as advice, I just want to see how close I can guess with what ends up working alright for you. 175/250 is my guess.

here is my set up. SBC V8, turbo 350, np203/300 14" coilovers front, 16" rear front spring rates 100/150 rear spring rates 100/125

Update:

Springs on Front compress right at 4".

Springs on Rear compress 3".

Using the formula Neal3000 provided I come out at 175 for Initial Spring Rate on the front. The back would be a guess since I don't know what rate the tender coil is.

I don't have enough information to get my "shaft showing" number. However, if I take a wild guess and put 1600# into the formula, and use the 175 ISR, it comes out to 6" of shaft showing.

I will try to get ahold of EOR once more to get some insight from them, and then I guess I will start the trial and error testing.

Move your known springs to the rear so you don't have to guess at it.

Wayne at Alltech is really awesome to deal with too if you want to get another opinion on this stuff, he is pretty much the most respected and proven shock guru in the 4x4 world. 951-970-3399 [email protected]

Also if it were me while your doing all this (especially sice your limit straps are wrong) take off your springs, put your shocks back on and let the rig down to full bump and make sure your bumpstops bottom out before the shocks do

Neal3000 said:

Move your known springs to the rear so you don't have to guess at it.

Wayne at Alltech is really awesome to deal with too if you want to get another opinion on this stuff, he is pretty much the most respected and proven shock guru in the 4x4 world. 951-970-3399 [email protected]

Also if it were me while your doing all this (especially sice your limit straps are wrong) take off your springs, put your shocks back on and let the rig down to full bump and make sure your bumpstops bottom out before the shocks do

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Good thought. Thanks a lot!

Anyone have thoughts on VIPER coil springs? http://vipercoils.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1

Pretty decent prices and seemed helpful on the phone.

What about PAC springs?

rpf500 said:

Anyone have thoughts on VIPER coil springs? http://vipercoils.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1

Pretty decent prices and seemed helpful on the phone.

What about PAC springs?

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PAC is what I have. That's the default springs that EOR uses when you order c/o's from them, so I would say they are legit. Eibach always has made good springs at decent prices. Never heard of Viper.

Viper is made in China, i've been told they have inconsistent spring rates

This is a good place to find and sell used springs
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/misc-stuff-sale/482239-coilover-springs-sale-trade-43.html#post27094913
http://www.hardlinecrawlers.com/forums/index.php?topic=27388.0

Connected with EOR today. Super helpful guys over there.

Anyway, going 150/250 Front and 150/200 Rear. They are actually (2) short on the 150 rears so they are sending me some 200's to get me up and going. I didn't even ask, they just offered it and said when they get the 150's back into stock we will swap out. You all were right when you talked about them and their customer service. Oh, and he cut me a hell of a deal on some MORE motor mounts he had sitting there!! Will definitely be working with these guys again!

Anyway, I will update when I get them installed.

Good deal, EOR FTW!

highrolrcustoms said:

here is my set up. SBC V8, turbo 350, np203/300 14" coilovers front, 16" rear front spring rates 100/150 rear spring rates 100/125

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How much shaft showing front and rear and what is your belly height? I need something to compare to if you don't mind