Z71 spring and BDS shock issue...

[06MidnightBlue]

So I put my BDS 5500's in on my lunch today. I went to lower the jack and to my dismay, at full excursion the Z71 springs can be easily pulled out by hand.

Oh poop.

It was an easy fix, I just put my .75 inch rear lift blocks back in and they're snug in their homes again.

It just sux because now my TB sits high in the rear end again. My plan to fix this is by putting some new springs in the front, give myself another inch of lift.

I'm also considering some limiting straps out back, just in case.

Questions? Comments?

[The Roadie]

I don't think I've ever heard of Z71 springs without SOME sort of spacers. I left in my BDS 2" on the top, and at one point had a SMAXX 1" on the bottom.

How long have you wheeled on the springs? I'm about to replace my rears because I found an old measurement sheet, and mine have sagged an inch. I've sagged more than one set in the front, and my OEM rears were FLATTENED by the first Death Valley expedition to the point I pinched and burst an Airlift bag.

Just gotta treat springs as a consumable item, and replace them regularly.

AlexG's fabricator put in retention bolts. Check out his spring fab report.

[06MidnightBlue]

I just installed the Z71's about 2 weeks ago. Didn't Fishsticks just put limiting straps in? Or am I thinking of someone else?

[Badgerfan1181]

Mario put limiting straps on his rear back in may i remember reading he did a good write up about it too

[Gordinho80]

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3203

[fishsticks]

I just installed the Z71's about 2 weeks ago. Didn't Fishsticks just put limiting straps in? Or am I thinking of someone else?

I did the opposite and installed relocation brackets that allow the rear axle to droop even further. I run a 2" spacer.

[06MidnightBlue]

Just ordered some Pro-Comp limiting straps!

[Gordinho80]

Are your shocks extending past the 26" that BDS claims to be norm? If not, the straps might not help you...

[DirtyBacon04]

perhaps he's ordering them for the front?

[06MidnightBlue]

Mike: Sensing a little sarcasm there...lol

Mario: All I can tell you is that when I installed the shocks with just the Z71 springs installed, I let the suspension hang and the springs could fall out with ease. I installed the .75 inch rear lift blocks and they're snug. I'm using the limiting straps as a little extra precaution.

[v7guy]

Sounds like it's time to get some coil overs for the front!

[06MidnightBlue]

Can you point me in the right direction, good sir?

[The Roadie]

Type "coilovers" or "radflo" into the search box.

[06MidnightBlue]

Oh yea...hey roadie, you and teebes ran the Rubicon, how was it?

[v7guy]

Bill said it. I'd use them if I had even an almost serious thought that I would wheel regularly. A tecore 3-4 times a year would be motivation. Or maybe it would inspire a SAS, I'm trying really hard not to though.

[06MidnightBlue]

Kind of like am alcoholic trying not to relapse, its too tempting. Lol

[The Roadie]

Oh yea...hey roadie, you and teebes ran the Rubicon, how was it?

A life-enriching (and bucket list) experience in 2008: http://forums.trailvoy.com/showthread.php?t=46998

The easiest eastern 1/3 of the trail was the hardest thing Greg and I ever did. Took years to plan and mod. Would NOT go back to do the entire trail without a SAS and 35's and three trucks with experienced drivers.

[06MidnightBlue]

I've been thinking about going with some friends. Then I started watching videos of Jeep Rubicons struggling...kinda made me change my mind.