Need some more suspension tips please!

[mike_nofx]

Hi all. Took my Sierra out for my first proper run in it on Sunday at Yalwal Nowra.
As some may remember when i bought my Sierra it had a very poor suspension set-up.
Had no flex, Was hard as a rock, brake lines were too short, shackels sat vertical, and shocks were actually 1/2" shorter than static mount to mount measurements!

On reccomendations from people on here, i have:
Removed some leafs. 2 from rear, 1 from front. It now has 3 at the back and 4 at the front. They still have the clamps fitted.

Fitted Hilux/commodore shock combination.

Fitted extended brake lines.

Extended front bump stops 2" (yet to touch rear).

Anyway, now flex has improved greatly. Softness has improved a fair bit too.
BUT ride is still a bit too stiff, and flex could be better.

Since removing leafs, shackle angle has slightly improved, from dead Vertical to about 5degrees off vertical. So still crap!

I took some measurements this afternoon:

Eye-to-eye of the shackles is 128mm

Eye-to-eye of the leafs (while sitting on flat ground) Front=900mm Rear=1000mm (this was a straight measurement, not following the arc of the leaf)

I'd like some advice, to cheaply and effectively improve flex and ride. Preferably keeping the current leafs.
Such as, should i fit shorter shackles? If so, what length would be advisable?
Could i remove another leaf from the front? So i have 3 front and 3 rear?

Thanks in advance, Here are some pics of flex

[alien]

flex you're getting isnt tooo bad... are the shocks you got the right length and valving???

the only way you're going to get that shackle angle perfect is longer leaves... i really like lovells for an off-the-shelf product - theyre firm (drop a leaf out) but theyre tough as and they get your shackles spot on.

I used to run cofap shocks with my 2" leaves and they were brilliant (and CHEAP!) now running bluemax shocks and theyre just unreal.

getting that shackle angle right and knowing the valving on the shocks is right will do a lot for the ride - however you need to remember, its still a sierra =) go for a ride in some others, even test drive one so you have a yard stick on how yours really is perhaps?

[built4thrashing]

what type of shocks are you using? oil or gas??? Gas shocks tend to be too hard for a sierra unless valved corectly.

I use adjustable Rancho 5000 in the fromt and can have the best of both worlds. nice and soft for the dirt and stiff as for the road.

[RockHopper]

Replace the shackles with standard length ones. Will get your shackle angles right and should be a lot more comfy to drive. Trade off is you'll lose some height

[zook4fun]

i'd put the std shackels on and see how you go. the ext shackels problely are giving you a bad angle to start with and std shackles will soften it up.

[mike_nofx]

What will std shackles do for flex?

[RockHopper]

What will std shackles do for flex?

Will be no worse than it is now

[zook4fun]

nothing but will make it softer to drive on.

[mike_nofx]

Thanks for the replies.

One more question.
How many leafs can you run minimum, without causing too many dramas?

I have 3 left in the back, this seems ok.

Will 3 in the front be ok also?

Front bumps are extended 2", backs will be 2" soon also.

Mike

[want33s]

If you lock the rear and you get CHUNKY tyres you WILL have axle wrap problems (bend leaves) with only 3 leaves in the rear.

I tried 3 leaves in the front and while it was nice and soft and flexed well it bottomed out hard if I hit an unexpected rut or pothole at speed.
I've gone back to 4 leaves front and stock 5 leaf OME +40mm rears with 25mm bumpstop extensions all round.

Jas.

[suszuk]

you are driving a suzuki so it will never really be as soft as you want it. if you want flex try taking out a bolt or two on the springs. leave at least one spring clamp on or you will get axle wrap. i have drop shackles in the rear and a minispool and have left one spring clamp on and haven't had any problems. for brake lines, hilux rears fit perfectly.

[mike_nofx]

Thanks for the replies.

It has been suggested that i fit shorter shackles.

I had a quick look today, and took some measurements. It seems to me that even if i fit shorter shackles, the angle probably wont improve.

The leaf length eye to eye is approx 900mm, and the measurement from rear spring eye to top shackle mount is about 900mm. So they are on the same arc (if anyone gets what im saying!)
To me, it seems that even if i fit shorter shackles, they will still be dead vertical? Correct me if im wrong.

So if i do fit shorter shackles, but they are still vertical will ride still improve, or will it be the same?



Does anyone know what U-bolts sizes are needed? suzistore sell large or small u-bolts. Im guessing there is 2 large and 2 small on the front, and 2 large and 2 small on the rear. Is this correct?

Thanks

[just cruizin']

U bolts , 2 large 2 small on the front due to the diff centre, 4 small on the rear.

If you want it soft go RUF.

[RockHopper]

Thanks for the replies.

It has been suggested that i fit shorter shackles.

I had a quick look today, and took some measurements. It seems to me that even if i fit shorter shackles, the angle probably wont improve.

The leaf length eye to eye is approx 900mm, and the measurement from rear spring eye to top shackle mount is about 900mm. So they are on the same arc (if anyone gets what im saying!)
To me, it seems that even if i fit shorter shackles, they will still be dead vertical? Correct me if im wrong.

So if i do fit shorter shackles, but they are still vertical will ride still improve, or will it be the same?



Does anyone know what U-bolts sizes are needed? suzistore sell large or small u-bolts. Im guessing there is 2 large and 2 small on the front, and 2 large and 2 small on the rear. Is this correct?

Thanks

Did you measure the leaf length from eye to eye, or along the length of the leaf. If you have standard length leaves and you put standard length shackles back on, the angle will definatly improve.