TTB angle

[randallmain]

Does anybody know the correct angle of the axle beams in relation to level ground? Do they sit at 90 degrees to the road or are they actually canted back. My coil springs seem to wrap back toward rear of vehicle. I have tried using more pinion angle to get them at same angle as bucket, but didn't seem like a good idea.

 

[legoms013]

Which angle you talking about: the angle of the beams looking at the truck from left or right OR the angle of the beams looking at the truck from the front?

There is no specific "angle" they are supposed to be at BUT the axle pivot bolt should be 0-2" above the centerline of the hubs. See article:

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/winter2008/steering_tech.htm

I also don't see how you are adjusting your pinion angle as it is fixed with the beam and only adding or subtracting spacers would change it. Coil bowing is normal.

 

[Sunk]

I'm pretty sure he's talking about the caster, but of the beams themselves.

 

[4x4junkie]

Yeah I read it as relating to caster also.

Beams should be square with the ground, +/- 2° max (+/- 1° even better).

 

[randallmain]

Well, i pushed the radius arms down to get more of a negative caster in the beams themselves, but decided WASN'T a good idea as the pivot bushings wouldn't fare so well. It seems to me that if the spring buckets are at a negative caster angle, shouldn't the springs be in-line with that angle all way to perch?

 

[4x4junkie]

Sounds like maybe you've got something bent or out of place under there, has the truck ever been in a wreck?

Maybe some pics of what you got going on there might help.

 

[Sunk]

I've seen a number of TTB setups where the coils had some degree of arch toward the rear of the vehicle... Post up some pictures.

 

[randallmain]

I see. It's really no biggie, just curious as i fabbed my own extended radius arms and, being an intellectual giant, i didn't get an angle for them prior to hacking them up. I need to get a digital camera for pics. Will do though.

P.S.
So does my girls sis!!

 

[Sunk]

This was my old Explorer.

 

[randallmain]

I'll be damned. That's exactly what mine does. Really doesn't make sense to me, but that is the way it is i guess. thanx for the pic...helps a lot. Will get some of mine on when i'm done getting the radius arms and such done. Where can i get longer springs, travel wise, as the stockers aren't cutting it...fall out at full droop. I think i have around 16 - 18 inches of travel now.

 

[Sunk]

You can lift coils from a number of companies, Skyjacker, James Duff, Rough Country, etc.. You can get them 2, 3, 4, 5.5, and 6" springs. My Ex had the SJ 6" springs.

You could run a hose clamp or something similar to help retain the top coil of the spring too.

You say you're getting 16-18" of travel from stock springs?

 

[randallmain]

LOL. NO. That's why i need to get longer. At full droop they fall out. I just let them go and kept lifting. I chained the front bumper to my crane and lifted the whole front of truck.

 

[86 slo-vo]

the axle may go that far but that doesnt mean it would move like that...id say everything was binding up

 

[4x4junkie]

I'll be damned. That's exactly what mine does. Really doesn't make sense to me, but that is the way it is i guess. thanx for the pic...helps a lot.

I think because of the arc of movement of the radius arm, they designed it so the coil would be more or less square and straight when the suspension reaches full compression. At anything less than fully compressed, a slight bow in the coil is not detrimental to anything.

 

[randallmain]

Thanks for the info all. I'm definitely going to have to strap it off, for sure. I have new Dana 35 and 8.8, supposedly, to be picked up tomorrow for $150 for all, but i'm kinda skeptical as the kid on craigslist is stalling for some reason. Hope it comes thru! I thought it was a pretty good deal.
Anyway, Yea, i'll make sure these are 90 degrees to level ground on install.