Re: [ihc] Pete's mods

["Dan Nees" <cookiedan@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Pete and Jim,
   I have the Triangles on BAD now, they were on Ugly, and Rancho's on GOOD.
The Rancho's were far and away MUCH stiffer a spring than the Triangles.
They make, still after I've driven it hard for 5 years, for a very stiff
ride. The Triangles, while firm, make for a nice ride, one that doesn't jolt
the teeth. I prefer the Triangles for sure, and if I need to replace the
Rancho's that is what will go there. The Skyjackers, IMO, are much too soft
a ride. You get alot of oscillation with them and need a very firm shock to
compensate.

Dan Nees
cookiedan@domain.elided
-------Original Message-------

From: Jim Grammer
Date: 4/8/2004 11:38:11 AM
To: ihc@domain.elided
Subject: [ihc] Pete's mods

Pete, I have a few thoughts:

* What caster angle for the front end?

There is a *very* interesting thread on the BB 'new' Tech Talk about the
actual effects of caster, written by a Ford chassis engineer. You may have
to dig for it, I think it was from 2003 but maybe 2002. I don't recall
enough to quote verbatim, but much of what we thought we knew about caster
wasn't neccessarily so. He did illustrate why large amounts of positive
caster aren't really a good thing, which tended to reinforce my observations
that about 2deg is plenty. OTOH, you will get folks who argue that 'more is
better' and that you absolutely positively must have 6deg. IIRC, there are
anecdotal reports of 'fine' handling anywhere from 2deg to 8deg. Maybe 4deg
is a decent compromise for you(?).

* What calipers and brake lines should I look for?

I have no experience with rear disks on a SII. In the front, the calipers
are the same as some Ford fullsizes(T-birds, etc.)from the same era. Note
that they are not the same as the Ford 1/2 ton trucks, 'tho the caliper
mounts are the same. The truck calipers have a smaller piston dia. and
different hose fittings. Moot point really, SII calipers are still listed by
application.

I am not a fan of the SII front hose setup at the driver's side junction
block. While I recommend braided steel lines in general, I think the
Skyjacker setup makes the junction block issue worse. It works, but there is
little surface area at the sealing surfaces of the hose sealing washer.
Robert Mann posted all the parts needed to do an AN hose conversion on the
BB Tech Talk(new) at one point. It was all 'racer supply' stuff and not
terribly expensive. When my Traveler needs lines that's the way I'll likely
go.

* Should I plan on changing shackles with the Triangle springs?  If
yes, how long should I get or make them?

Some will say absolutely, I say wait 'til your springs arrive and decide for
yourself. Measure along the arch of the spring from eye to eye. 'Flatten
out' that measurement and use it with one end at the fixed spring mount to
see where the end of the  shackle will need to be with the spring at max
flattened length. That will show you the shortest shackle length that will
work with your setup. Allow a bit of fudge factor for flex of the spring
bushings.

* Where should/can I get the Triangle springs?  If someone knows of a
stiffer spring please let me know.

The SII Triangle springs are a proprietary Light Line design, available from
SSS etc.. The actual spring rates are also proprietary AFAIK. At one point
or another I've had actual spring rates on the other aftermarket springs,
and from low to high they rank Skyjacker, Superlift/Trailmaster(very
close)and Rancho. From Triangle owner reports(and Tom M's polling), I
believe the Triangles are comparable to the Superlift/Trailmaster. John G @
SSS may be able to shed some light on this as long as you're not pressing
him for the actual Triangle #'s ;)

Ji

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