WJ isolators shot, springs saggy!!!
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WJ isolators shot, springs saggy!!!
Just like a 45 year old hooker, I've got the SAGS, big time!
I knew when I put the BB in that I was only about the height of a non- Up Country even with my UC springs, so I started with some sag. The isolators were a bit pancaked at the time, but I had the coil spacers in hand and the front tires off when I noticed it and went ahead with the BB. Kinda figuring I'd deal with the isolators at some point in the future.
I know from other Overland owners with a BB, I should have had about 21" from center of hub to top of wheel well when I did the BB and I was just shy of 20", so I know I had an issue to start with. Right now I'm at 18 7/8" up front! I'm down about an inch since the pic in my sig was taken not long after I installed the BB.
So anyway, 21k miles later, some mild off-roading, some carrying a 100# of winch in the front, a lot of traveling some pretty knarly trails to fish the intercoastal and I've now got this with NOTHING but a 5 lb. light bar stuck in the front receiver:
This gap WAS about 1 1/2" with the winch on the front at one time.
So I'm looking at springs and isolators. Master Tech was nice enough to look up the Mopar isolator and UC spring part numbers for me but the dealer wants stupid money for both, like $500 for the springs and isolators for JUST THE FRONT and parts only, I plan on installing them.
Even when pricing the UC springs and isolators online I find I can get a set of Old Man Emu springs just as cheap for $300 (front & rear) Heavy Duty and 3" longer than stock WJ springs (or basically 2" longer than UC springs). I also found a source for a set of 8 isolators (uppers & lowers front & rear) for under $100.
So I think the plan here is gonna be the OME HD springs - ditch the Fat Bob's coil spacers (and prolly put them up for sale) and do the isolators all the way around at the same time to be over and done with it.
Anybody have any experience with the Old Man Emu springs? Anybody have any comments (+ or -) on the route I'm planning on taking?
I knew when I put the BB in that I was only about the height of a non- Up Country even with my UC springs, so I started with some sag. The isolators were a bit pancaked at the time, but I had the coil spacers in hand and the front tires off when I noticed it and went ahead with the BB. Kinda figuring I'd deal with the isolators at some point in the future.
I know from other Overland owners with a BB, I should have had about 21" from center of hub to top of wheel well when I did the BB and I was just shy of 20", so I know I had an issue to start with. Right now I'm at 18 7/8" up front! I'm down about an inch since the pic in my sig was taken not long after I installed the BB.
So anyway, 21k miles later, some mild off-roading, some carrying a 100# of winch in the front, a lot of traveling some pretty knarly trails to fish the intercoastal and I've now got this with NOTHING but a 5 lb. light bar stuck in the front receiver:
This gap WAS about 1 1/2" with the winch on the front at one time.
So I'm looking at springs and isolators. Master Tech was nice enough to look up the Mopar isolator and UC spring part numbers for me but the dealer wants stupid money for both, like $500 for the springs and isolators for JUST THE FRONT and parts only, I plan on installing them.
Even when pricing the UC springs and isolators online I find I can get a set of Old Man Emu springs just as cheap for $300 (front & rear) Heavy Duty and 3" longer than stock WJ springs (or basically 2" longer than UC springs). I also found a source for a set of 8 isolators (uppers & lowers front & rear) for under $100.
So I think the plan here is gonna be the OME HD springs - ditch the Fat Bob's coil spacers (and prolly put them up for sale) and do the isolators all the way around at the same time to be over and done with it.
Anybody have any experience with the Old Man Emu springs? Anybody have any comments (+ or -) on the route I'm planning on taking?
Last edited by HammerZ71; Sep 29, 2011 at 11:34 AM.
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Sh*t, with the SFA in the front and lockers front and rear this thing is more off-road worthy than my truck. The isolators are a known issue with age/use and they will pancake over time. At least half of the 2 1/8" I'm down is the isolators.
But I figure since I'm doing springs, might as well get the heavy duty ones. Plus it's always better to do a lift with the springs than spacers, ESPECIALLY when the springs are cheaper than the stock ones.
This would be making a repair, a mod...
But I figure since I'm doing springs, might as well get the heavy duty ones. Plus it's always better to do a lift with the springs than spacers, ESPECIALLY when the springs are cheaper than the stock ones.
This would be making a repair, a mod...
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Get yourself some Urethane isolators and be done with the future pancaking! They are kinda like push-up bra's for hookers ;-). Although most women use them which doesn't make it fair because you never know what your up against until it's too late...rofl.
I guess you need to decide what you want for spings, progressive rate? How much progression? Too much and you'll ride rough, not enough and you'll bounce all over....
I certainly would NOT go for OEM springs if they crapped out within 50kmi. Tells me they are a cheaper metal that has lost their memory. Now, with coil spacers, doesn't that put more stress on the springs? This is probably the main reason they crapped out so soon because springs actually have a limited range as to where they can be compressed and retain their memory. Compressing them beyond their normal ride height makes them weak and causes them to loose their spring.
That's not from expereience Hammer, that's from Physics class ;-)
I guess you need to decide what you want for spings, progressive rate? How much progression? Too much and you'll ride rough, not enough and you'll bounce all over....
I certainly would NOT go for OEM springs if they crapped out within 50kmi. Tells me they are a cheaper metal that has lost their memory. Now, with coil spacers, doesn't that put more stress on the springs? This is probably the main reason they crapped out so soon because springs actually have a limited range as to where they can be compressed and retain their memory. Compressing them beyond their normal ride height makes them weak and causes them to loose their spring.
That's not from expereience Hammer, that's from Physics class ;-)
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Get yourself some Urethane isolators and be done with the future pancaking! They are kinda like push-up bra's for hookers ;-). Although most women use them which doesn't make it fair because you never know what your up against until it's too late...rofl.
I guess you need to decide what you want for spings, progressive rate? How much progression? Too much and you'll ride rough, not enough and you'll bounce all over....
I certainly would NOT go for OEM springs if they crapped out within 50kmi. Tells me they are a cheaper metal that has lost their memory. Now, with coil spacers, doesn't that put more stress on the springs? This is probably the main reason they crapped out so soon because springs actually have a limited range as to where they can be compressed and retain their memory. Compressing them beyond their normal ride height makes them weak and causes them to loose their spring.
That's not from expereience Hammer, that's from Physics class ;-)
I guess you need to decide what you want for spings, progressive rate? How much progression? Too much and you'll ride rough, not enough and you'll bounce all over....
I certainly would NOT go for OEM springs if they crapped out within 50kmi. Tells me they are a cheaper metal that has lost their memory. Now, with coil spacers, doesn't that put more stress on the springs? This is probably the main reason they crapped out so soon because springs actually have a limited range as to where they can be compressed and retain their memory. Compressing them beyond their normal ride height makes them weak and causes them to loose their spring.
That's not from expereience Hammer, that's from Physics class ;-)
Isolators are normal to go by 100k though. I've gotten feedback on the Jeep forums that the poly isolators make noise.
The HD OME springs are supposed to be 25% stiffer than stock and are double scragged and shot peened. Lifetime warranty including sagging.
I'm hoping to have everything before the end of the week, I was planning on taking the Jeep to Georgia next weekend...
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The noise with the Poly's are asociated with movement likely as the rubber one's get squished and don't allow the spring to slide.
I used a dremel and hogged out just a tiny bit to eliminate this. Very easy to do. I also sprayed bedcoating inside the seat before putting the isolator in th prevent any metal-isolator noise. I'm sure that isolator stuck to the coating even after it dried like glue..haha
I used a dremel and hogged out just a tiny bit to eliminate this. Very easy to do. I also sprayed bedcoating inside the seat before putting the isolator in th prevent any metal-isolator noise. I'm sure that isolator stuck to the coating even after it dried like glue..haha
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Had to order one more part, I was advised to get rear sway bar end links when using the OME springs.I want to upgrade to the Addco 1" sway bar instead of the stock 5/8" . They say it cuts out any body roll. But I'm broke, but I'm also thinking quick disconnects for the front sway bar too at some point.
Last edited by HammerZ71; Oct 6, 2011 at 07:10 PM.
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Well, I priced the IRO extended sway bar links and they want $150 for the pair!!!
That ain't in the budget right now, so instead I bought a set of stockers locally for $20, cut them and welded in a piece of solid round steel to make my own.
Before:
After:
Now if the damn springs and isolators would get here I can button this job up!!!
That ain't in the budget right now, so instead I bought a set of stockers locally for $20, cut them and welded in a piece of solid round steel to make my own.
Before:
After:
Now if the damn springs and isolators would get here I can button this job up!!!
Last edited by HammerZ71; Oct 6, 2011 at 09:01 PM.
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I love fabrication! but it makes me hate spending money on dumb things like isolators that you really can't make yourself..lol
End links look good dude. With the money you saved, you should buy the darn addco!
End links look good dude. With the money you saved, you should buy the darn addco!
