From: "Jeff Jones" To: <80_series@sgiblab.sgi.com> Subject: RE: [80] Suspension Spacers Date sent: Thu, 17 Feb 2000 00:50:14 -0600 Send reply to: 80_series@sgiblab.sgi.com > Alan sent me his suspension page... > He calls it a lift block kit? > > "4 Spring top relocators bolt in with grade 8 bolts"... that doesn't sound > like a body lift... is that the "packers" that you refer too? Jeff, is that > what you ordered from Alan? > > Seth Okay... I think we're just getting a bit bogged down in terminology here... I started the mis-use of terms, so I'll try to correct it: PACKERS: OME makes 10mm and 5mm polyurethane packing rings which sit on top of the springs. They primarily exist to allow customers to level and adjust each corner of their truck as required. The max endorsed by OME is one 10mm and one 5mm on each spring for a total of 15mm on any given corner. I have those currently installed, but will lose them when I go to ==> SPACERS: These are metal pieces fabricated to go on top of the springs (same location as the packers above), but they have to be made of a much harder material because they are far thicker than the OME spacers. The spring side must provide a proper seat for the top of the spring and the spacer must mount properly to the truck. These can be any size within reason, though not usually more than 6". This is what Alan and Brian have made and used. Moving the rest of the truck up that far off of the axle presents some challenges in the steering geometry department. Those challenges should be addressed by any commercial kit. If they are not, run... don't walk... away from that manufacturer. I'm trying to cheat physics a bit and get by with relatively small (1-1/2") spacers and then adding a 1" or so ==> BODY LIFT: This involves making small spacers to insert at each body mount (12 of them on a cruiser?? or is it 8 ? ). Anyway... it is a bit of a tedious process and not nearly as simple as suspension lift on these trucks. Norm is trying to build up my confidence enough to tackle this task and he's almost there. ;-) The only downside here is the potential for cracking the metal on the body from the leverage of a small footprint body mount spacer. The general consensus is either stick to a small amount of body lift or have the body mounts cut off of the frame, modified if necessary, and then welded back on the frame in the raised position... thereby leaving the actual body mounts stock. Body lift does not effect steering geometry, but does require some thought on steering column interference with firewall, shift linkage height, etc. The ONLY thing going up is the body, so careful attention must be paid to all of those things that remain on the chassis. FWIW, my truck is not normally my daily driver and I'm not as concerned with its street manners as others here might be. If you (or more importantly... someone else) is driving this truck regularly, don't take chances with the steering geometry. Correct it properly for any lift you decide to add and you'll have a much safer vehicle in the long run. Hope that helps and anyone feel free to jump in and correct/clarify/dispose of any of the above. From: apodvin@vni2000.com Date sent: Wed, 16 Feb 2000 00:33:22 -0700 To: 80_series@sgiblab.sgi.com Subject: Re: [80] Suspension Upgrade (For JJJ) Send reply to: 80_series@sgiblab.sgi.com His name in the magazine was Brian something he is out of Indiana last I knew he sold his 80 but not sure. I sell the spacers and lift kit. I originally designed it and I have run it for 30,000 to 40,000 miles I run 35's now and could fit 36 or 37" tires. Waitng for new size in Parnelli Jones mudders or the new Good Year MTR. I produce and have sold to many list members and locals spacers that add to the OME springs and acheive a total of 4 to 7" more height than stock. Also entire kits and install We also have caster correction and have made the truck drive straight enough that I can let go of wheel at 80MPH. With sway bars on I can acheive 31" articulation at 35lbs tire pressure. Email me offline with any questions or for Pics and Specs. Alan Podvin- Castle Rock CO 92 FJ80 35's OME , snorkel, 300Horse Power V8, ALL custom side bars, custom front bumper and custom rear bumper and custom tire carrier 7" lift 35's Hella 4000's and Im blessed and sick of typing.