Outer Limits 4x4 Board

hey guys. i have a leaf sprung swb sierra with 2inch lift .I think its Blue Max . The problem is it does not flex very well. I can tell that the leaves could still articulate further though.

Question is would it be my shocks thats restricting articulation

are the new bushes in the new springs lubed?have u removed the sway bar?have u removed the clamps and load leaves on the spring packs,if they r very new they take a bit to soften up

the bushes are lubed. i have removed the sway bar. i haven't touched the spring packs and the set up is about 10 months old though hasn't had much use

thanks

take the load leafs of and get the right length shocks for the job

id be checking shock length and also check brake line length, especially on the front as these will usually restrict travel unless lengthened. Swift brake lines work well.

is there a particular model swift or any will do

thanks for the replys

90 to 95

IMHO shocks that fit into stock mounts and have a hope of getting anywhere near the bumpstop on compression will not require longer brake lines.

I can't see why anyone would fit second hand brake lines to their car (and in fact, wreckers will not sell them to you!)

Before you go and buy a new brake line from another application, find a hose/brake shop that makes lines and get them to make you sierra lines in the length you need. They are not expensive. Try ABS or ENZED

I have seen the swift brake hoses used on a few cars and they are too long and have crimped on mount in the middle of them than can get caught up and squashed flat by the knuckle.

Now- to 410sierra's problem -

Flex the car up and see how close the springs are getting to the bumpstops. the front should reach the bumpstops easily, and back should get within about an inch or so without too much drama. This is normal. If you can't get near or onto the bumpstops when flexing, the pack is too stiff, so remove leaves to soften it out. You will loose lift though when you do this.

THe fact is that the sierra suspension system was designed for 5" of vertical travel in the front and 6" in the rear. It is basically impossible to exceed this by more than 1" or so with stock spring lengths and stock shock mounts, even if it look s like there is more in the spring.

There are lots of aftermarket suzuki springs around that have got lots of arch in them and look like they would have heaps of travel, but what in fact you will have is the same travel as stock but all up higher. (ie, you won't get to the bumpstops when you compress the suspension) In this case you can drop the bumpstops so that they are useful and fit longer shocks in stock mounts.

I would pull leaves until the car rides nice and will settle onto the bumpstops when flexed and then fit OME shocks. If you go chasing more travel you will have an enormous amount of work to do and generally very little gain.

Just my 2c worth

Steve.

looks like $10 bucks worth.

joeblow wrote:looks like $10 bucks worth.

thats golden

i had the same kit on my sierra, the shocks were restricting travel so i put new longer ones in all round plus got extended shackles. and removed loads and opened latches.i get decent flex now,i also have swift brake lines, just make sure u get them attached by something flexi and that they are kept away from harms way

rear gti hoses (disk rear end) are perfect length!

thanks for all the replies.
to answer Gwagensteve statement i have a good three inches before bumpstops.
Also is it hard to remove leaves.