Another RUF thread

Post by **chops_Drover** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 2:16 pm

Hey guys I am looking at doing a RUF to my zook. I have been reading all the threads from the search function & still have a few Q's as I am thinking about doing it a little differently.

My plan is to do a similar front setup to what Want33's did however as I am in Cairns, Suzuki Carry springs aren't the easiest things to come by so I will be using stock rears. I have a set of 30mm extended shackles & am planing to run the two main leafs from the stock rears with some of my current front 2" lifted leafs to keep a little height under it. I will be moving the shock mount higher to run longer shocks also. Now I will not be moving the front shackle hanger forward at all when I do this, but the rear will get a new mount made up an inch or two back. (aiming to go somthing similar to Nicbeer where he moved the entire mount back on the chassis) I am hoping for a similar shackle angle to what Want 33's has in his pics.
Now on the rear I am going to spend the $$$ to get a custom main leaf made up. Looking at $55 a spring I will be running 30mm ext shackles also on the back but not moving any mounts or anything. My custom leaf would be 1-2" longer & I will use the lifted rears to get the shackle angle back around 45deg or so...
Bumstops on the front & back will be spaced once tested to I presume 1.5"
Shocks will also be measured up once the springs are in place. Am thinking Hilux for the rear as I carry quite a bit of gear as it is used for heading up north.

I am also going to move the rear diff back an inch when I do this & the front forward an inch. I will be adding driveline spacers also.
If it matters my zook is a NT with 31's on offset rims. May look at going bigger in the future but it is relaible now, just looking for more flex & less harsh ride.

I have not done any measuring as yet, have only eyeballed all this so please do not quote me on the exact sizes.

The main thing I am asking here is this setup possible to get a good result (has anyone else done similar). I realise I do not get the full effect of a full RUF but I am thinking this may be a bit more simple for me. Can you guys give me any other pointers or things I should/ shouldn't do with this setup.

Post by **Dee** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 2:51 pm

sounds good man
I run similar setup, but since mine is a WT i didnt wanna cut/move/weld spring mounts (sit outside the chassis instead of under)
Your rear custom spring idea is the way i would go if I did it again. I went with 2" OME MQ Patrol front sprigs with heaps of leaves removed in the rear. I did this as I only had stock springs to begin with so didnt have any lifted packs to steal leaves from for a custom rear pack.

front spring moved back 30mm in mounts

made some diff relocation bits out of 50x6mm flat bar, some holes & welded in some bolts & ground flat

shackle angles

flex

Post by **GRPABT1** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 2:54 pm

Sounds good to me but some things to consider are....

When you get the custom main leaves made up for the rear, try and source a full length second leaf also, by getting one made or using something off and old pack to prevent bending the spring near the end.

Also to move the diff back just get the cetre pin made to where you want the diff to sit, use your old springs to work out where you want it.

And I would still avoid Hilux shocks unless you lay them over more to soften them up. A good idea would be some form of adjustables if you carry loads. I am getting some 12 way boss adjustables from 4wd stuff (a member on here who sells suspension) in the next couple of weeks when they arrive.

Post by **chops_Drover** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:03 pm

Thanks for that guys....

GRPABT1 - what are these shocks setting you back? Pm if you like

My second leaf on the rear will probably just be my second leaf out of my lifted pack... Would it be worth/or possible to get that main leaf made out of thicker spring steel to strengthen it?

Dee - Thanks for the pics i think mine will end up quite similar. Have you made longer shock mounts for yours?

Post by **Dee** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:08 pm

chops_Drover wrote: Dee - Thanks for the pics i think mine will end up quite similar. Have you made longer shock mounts for yours?

No. Fronts are good, rear shocks are too long. They bottom out on compression = bad. (see flex photo with rear tyre not very 'tucked').

Post by **chops_Drover** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:12 pm

What shocks are you running front & rear DEE?

Post by **nicbeer** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:13 pm

sounds good.

i am going to look at custom 1-2" longer ones later also.

for the rears, make sure u clear the fuel tank also. not sure on max diff can go back for tank clearance.

post up pics.

Post by **chops_Drover** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:24 pm

This will not all be happening for a month. Going up the CREB track this weekend as it is. Will be doing the RUF once I get back & the rears once this is done. Its not a daily so gets done when time permits...

By the looks of what I have atm I should safely be able to go back an inch I think. Although my tanks bash plate may require a bend to suit the pumpkin..

As for pics..I will try & get a mate to post some up....

Post by **GRPABT1** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 4:17 pm

He quoted me $400 for the two I think, that is for bloody long ones to suit a 3/4 elliptic rear though.

Also if you havn't already done it longer brake lines may be needed.

Post by **VR Rodeo** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 10:28 pm

I extended just the main leaf in the rear by an inch, didn't bother extending the 2nd leaf and haven't had any sign of it bending. I moved the diff back an inch and had to attack the tank with a hammer to avoid the diff hitting. You will also have to cable tie the fuel filler back, after removing the guard around it too to avoid the tyre from rubbing on it.

Post by **chops_Drover** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:59 am

The fuel filler is already pulled back as far as I can & seems to have enough room for the diff to go back.

VR Rodeo how is your shackle angle with an inch extra spring? Was it enough to give a 45ish degree angle?

Post by **Dee** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:09 am

my springs are APPROX 3" longer front & rear.
They are both moved foward/back in their mounts by 1"(ish) so they are roughly 2" past the existing shackle mount. With a standard shackle they 'invert up' & hit the chassis, with a 2" extended shackle they sit nice & 45ish.

shocks are efs rear & ome fronts... not sure on lengths...

Post by **VR Rodeo** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 11:33 pm

chops_Drover wrote:The fuel filler is already pulled back as far as I can & seems to have enough room for the diff to go back.

VR Rodeo how is your shackle angle with an inch extra spring? Was it enough to give a 45ish degree angle?

Sorry this is the best pic I have got, but you can work out were the shackle is. Mine is a little different though, I have 3 inch raised rears all round with custom mains. The rears are Trail Gear springs which are fairly soft so when the wieght when on them they flexed a fair bit so I needed a fairly long shackle to level it all out. It's longer and uglier then I wanted but it gives me a 45 degree angle and works without any dramas

Post by **zookimal** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 2:22 am

What are people paying for custom main/second leaves?

I'm trying to decide whether to go custom, reversed mazda's etc or trying to squeeze in some hilux rears. A balance between maximum wheelbase and spring length.

In the pursuit of more wheelbase I'd like to go reversed toy rears SPUA but I think pinion angle issues might be more trouble than they're worth. Rebuild the rear tubs/comp cut and relocate the tank. Put the shackle hanger all the way back on the chassis and run a YJ etc bracket on the front of the leaf to try and gain 5in or so of wheelbase.

Post by **chops_Drover** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:00 am

I am not looking at getting that carried away with my rig but it does look sweet. Custom leaves, I have been quoted $55 per leaf & up to $80per leaf. I am in Cairns though so I would imagine you guys could probably get things much cheaper down south.

Anyway, had at the car again this morning & have decided to leave the rear diff where it is due to fuel tank/ filler & rub concerns. Will probably go a 1 1/2 extended spring at the rear end only.

The front is looking at being done in a fortnights time.

Has anyone used these:

"Sky Upper Front Shock Hoops
These shock hoops allow use of shocks that are 5.5" longer than if you used the stock mount. No geometry changes are made, and no fender well cutting is necessary. These allow the use of eye style shocks, and they just plain look trick!

Constructed from 1" .120" wall ERW tubing, self-aligning, weld on. Comes with both hoops.

Price: $69.00"

From Lowrange?

Post by **zook4fun** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:10 pm

i'd only use shock hoops if its spoa other wise just ext the bump stops

Post by **Kitika** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:34 pm

I made up some extended shock mounts out of rhs and some high tensile bolts. Very easy to do if you have some welding skills and they can be any length you want/need

I'm using 720 rear shocks but they are too short for my set-up.

Post by **PJ.zook** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:20 am

I just extended the front of my chassis and made another set of stronger front mounts. Not only is it stronger than original but it also makes a perfect little cradle for a low mount. The difference it makes in ride comfort is unsurpassed, flex i dont know as i never measured it before hand, or after for that matter. From memory i didnt have to move shocks, but i moved the bumpstops forward and shaved a little off the back for clearance with shocks.

Post by **chops_Drover** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:48 am

Well unfortunately this will all be put on hold for a while as I blew the rear diff on the weekend. Car had to be trailored home :(

Thanks for the help guys & I will be coming back to this when I find a new diff...

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