Want those 1.4x 60's, custom springs?
 

Plan to make some changes on the front end this year. Current setup is pretty horrible for 1/4 fun. 2inch lowering springs that are netting more around 3", just touching the bump stops. The front is very stiff, both pushing down and has almost zero recoil coming up. Struts are lakewood 90/10s.

Currently i'm looking at DJM lowering arms with two inch drop. Should save some weight and switch to a stock spring. I read the v6 springs have a longer coil, so I bought a used set figuring they may hold more energy when compressed.

However this got me thinking what about custom springs. I could then even go with 3-4 drop arms and install a longer spring that stores more energy but keeps the drop at 2". Thoughts?

Also read that trucks leave best if it they start level. It's currently at least 2-3" ass high. That also needs to be addressed. I'm thinking lowering shackles for that, the current slicks will tuck and I can use my load bags to bring it back up on the street. I'm getting about 4" lift in the rear so the Caltrac bars are doing there part putting weight on the axle.


Currently how the truck leaves with a 1.54, also got a 1.52 that day. Best is a few 1.51s.

1 54 - YouTube



Got a lot of info from a cal-trac thread over on YB. This guy seems like the only truck guy I can relate to. Runs Cals and multi-leafs. Was having problems with spinning before the 60 is up and unloading the rear. (same as me) He's leaving with turbo and trans brake at around 3500. Ass High and 3-4 inch of front end travel.

16psi track rental - YouTube


Update late on he says he got his shit level and some movement up front.

1.37x 60"

9.43hd.wmv - YouTube

Is your sway bar still bolted up?

Damn 1.37 60' ??!! That would be awesome.

For what its worth i installed 2'' belltech shackles/ removed the rear block and the truck rides a lot better in the rear, also cured my terrible wheel hop.


Your therory on the front springs makes sense, ive seen guys in old camaros/cars use 6 cylinder springs for better weight distribution for launch. Im interested in how this works out for you.

Sway bar on the front is removed and never had one on the rear. Currently the rear has the overload coil removed. If you watch though my truck is pretty much leaving level and that's not providing the needed weight transfer to leave with more power. I still have a ton more RPM and boost if it only stayed planted.

Another option is to leave softer off the trans-brake (3200-3400) and after one or two MPH have HPtuners hit my 35 or 50 dry shot to keep the power ramping in to keep the nose up.

There are those that have v6 springs and swear by them . There was a thread where they did not do anything for the x cab guys though. You tow that boat with 90/10's or do you swap shocks for track days?

:lurk:

Well i'm currently still deployed, so haven't got to testing anything out. I got my v6 springs in, but i'm not sure if i'm going to run them. I'm talking with a spring company right now about making some custom stuff for us similar to what the Lightning guys run. We need a long spring that stores a lot of energy, not these crap lowering springs we run. I'll report back if/when I get a set made and test/fitment.

V6 springs and my cat that's thinking what I am, why did my girl put these on the wood floors!!!

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...91/photo89.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...91/photo90.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...91/photo88.jpg

It could be that my springs are stiff or the low profile 20's, but there wasn't a "big" difference. I daily drive on them with no issues.

What spring company you talking to? Santhuff? I know that's what a lot of the bullet boys run.

You ever thought about dropping the coin on some adjustable shocks?

Do you loosen your lower control arm bolts for easier movement at the track?

No it's a smaller place, but I may get in touch with those guys as well. Right now the shock isn't the problem. I'm only getting about 3-4" of travel and the springs stop providing lift. Springs get there rating from each inch of compression, so I'm missing outs on 100's of pounds of lift per side and thats killing the much needed weight transfer. It really is drag racing 101, i'm just surprised we have no aftermarket drag spring of the shelf.

Mine:

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...1/b6d28cd7.jpg

Drag spring on a TBSS that puts it on the bumper...

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/t.../dbengine1.jpg

We need some trucks doing this!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw2RPMJ9xVw

Funny you mention those springs the L boys run. I was on the phone the other day with a guy that makes them. They are close to our diameter. I thought about trying some...

My truck needs to come down a little in the front, but the above statement makes me want to find a way around my original idea of cutting them.

I will say that the V6 coils do have a a lot of stored energy, or at least it seems that way. With the upper control arm hitting the droop stop, I had compress the spring A LOT just to get it loosened up so I could safely remove it.

If you run the DJM LCA's. You can run a smaller ID spring so you might not need to go custom spring. I run Moroso springs in the front of my 67 that are made for mustangs.

That's who I was talking to. ;)

The DJM arms look really light compared to our factory pieces. My current plan is either install a JDM lighting spring, let the truck settle over a weeks time, then buy the correct DJM arm to give me the correct ride height. Another option is going with custom spring designed to keep the truck at stock ride heights, then get a 2inch DJM LCA to get ride height and have a high energy spring up there.

I have been considering replacing the 2" Hotchkis springs I am running for the stock springs with 2" DJM lca for the same reason you are mentioning (longer spring travel and reduced control arm weight). I recently discovered a bad tierod end so this will happen sooner than later now. I am interested to see the info you get from your spring company contacts. I have a lot of weight on the front of my truck so it needs all the help it can get to come up and stay up on launch to get the weight shifted to the rear.

Will the 2" djm LCA clear with the 15" bogarts? Gotta keep those on for track duty .

Speaking of getting the front end to lift , why does our trucks fail to hang on the upper a arm limiters when our trucks are jacked up? Whats stopping them from hanging till they touch the stops?

On my truck, my shocks were too short, so I welded on some homemade extenders. Don't know what else would limit travel besides shocks...

Little update.

The guys over at R&H never got back with me after about a week of waiting, so decided to keep searching. After reading some good reviews on YB about a Santhuff's, I ended up ordering a set of their Landrum "Hi Energy Racing Spring". The spec's are 18", 250lb spring. They said it is going to sit lower then stock, so I shouldn't need LCA. I'm hoping lower then stock is about 2-3" at most, if not I'll have to add a spring spacer to get the level front to rear I want. Also talked the woman into finding my shackles, lol. Good times and hot damn, got lucky my factory lowering kit is adjustable and has another slot to drop the rear another inch. Also bought their spring tool as he said installing these things can make you @sshole pucker.

Look forward now to getting home and see her new stance. I "may" end up needing an adjustable front struts for more control, but well see how she does first.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...91/spring1.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...91/spring3.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...91/spring2.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...91/spring4.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...91/shackle.jpg

Currrent stance on track tires...

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...1/Stance-1.jpg

Nice! Looking forward to your results.

You should try to keep the front about the same height and lower the rear another 2 inches or so.

That caltrac thread on YB does have a lot of good info in it.

Did I miss it, or how are you mounting these?

Not sure on your question Blown, I'm going to compress them and then install the lower arm... Then im going to go fast like Ricky Bobbie...

Subscribed.

What's their spring tool look like?

Nice springs, looks like they're probably a good bit lighter than the V6 springs too.

Talk about trying to fit 10lbs in a 5lb bag. They must make one heck of a spring compressor.

Any part number or anything for the springs?

I agree.

Blackcash, i'm not sure man. It's their 5.5", 18", 250lb spring. Might want to wait till I get it installed before buying a set though. I'm kind of testing the waters with it. It may need an adjustable strut to help control movement on the street, not sure yet.

AKlowriderZ71, here's a picture of the tool from their site.

http://www.santhuffshocks.com/images/compressor.png

interested in results.i've been wanting to put some on my truck but i ain't done any research on any brands.only springs i knew about was moroso trick springs.they work real good but don't make them for the front end weight of ours trucks.i've put a fair share of them in s10's.becareful puting them in,if tool slips or breaks while its compressed and your in its path,it will hurt you.i've been hit in the stomach by one before.it didn't feel to good.

Alright, I'll let you be the guinea pig. My truck still has stock length V6 springs, and I was gonna try some shocks for a slightly lifted truck to help get that front end moving up. See how that works first.

Like this?
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/...r/65c93abe.jpg
Ford explorer front shocks 90's model, 94 I think.

I wish you the best Rob, but the stock spring is 4.235". Very interested in the results of the install.


So the shock length is the limiting factor. Good info, THANKS!

Hope you get good results with these...

Hey me to man, it would be great to have a off shelf spring that provides a good stance and good weight transfer.


Come on now, i'm out here fighting the war on terrorism and your getting me fired up thinking I got problems back home...lol

So I had the lady back at it to confirm, she's the best! :cheers:

New spring O.D. is 5.5, here are v6 springs.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...oldspring2.jpg

I.D. old springs and new is both 4.25. She also fit the 1" chevy lean spacer on the new spring and it fits perfect.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...91/photo33.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...newspring1.jpg


:usa:

Good luck Rob. Im rooting for ya.

Thanks man, you worked your way to the 1.4's and I respect that. You know very well it's no easy task.

No sir but its worth it once you get there. Its the foundation for your whole pass.

I'm jealous. An old lady that knows how to use a tape and will drag all this junk out of the garage, measure, take pics, and upload them for you!

yeah same here^^. Cant wait for the results on this setup u working on!

:cheers: I'm a lucky man, I was really stoked when she got under the truck and not only found my shackles, but got a good picture.

Her whole family races, like they get together and going racing almost every weekend. It's pretty cool, she's been around it since a child, so I guess I got lucky. Shes been looking at TBSS, might be her next set of wheels and workout great to pull the truck/boat. She's already asking about what we can do to it so she can race when we go to the track...:devil:

Here's a picture of her dads lastest toy, they built it from frame rails up. Last summer it was running 5.20's 1/8, BBC N/A :guns:. This was before it was completed with a red strips down the middle.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._5922508_n.jpg


Older brother

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._4143562_n.jpg

Younger Brother

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...53280645_n.jpg

Get the idea lol?

Where at?