Coil over springs?

MKOLSEN22

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Can you use coil over springs in place of the stock springs? One local was saying that they are not built to withstand the side to side flex that they experience when compressing w/o a shock shaft running through the center of the springs. I think that this is bunk and that they would work just fine but what do I know?

I realize that a you might need to install new coil spring brackets to use them but I think it would be worth it to be able to play with things some. IIRC the stock springs have an ID of just over 3" so might a 3" coil over spring fit on the stock spring mounts? I'm interested in the wide variety of spring rates as well as spring lengths that are available.

Any experience with this out there?

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WorkInProgress91

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Re: Coil over springs?

« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2007, 05:27:01 AM »

I think that the strut suspension on a sidekick would not allow for a direct replacement of a coilover. Coilovers wont provide the structural support that a strut does.

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91 sidekick
2'' B/L, 2'' coil spacers
31'' swampers
winch
custom bumper tank lift camouflage duct tape

MKOLSEN22

217
1
Gender:
Come on 32's

Re: Coil over springs?

« Reply #2 on: May 24, 2007, 06:38:19 AM »

Quote from: WorkInProgress91 on May 24, 2007, 05:27:01 AM

I think that the strut suspension on a sidekick would not allow for a direct replacement of a coilover. Coilovers wont provide the structural support that a strut does.

Not looking to put a complete coil over assembly into the Tracker. I'm wondering about using the springs alone with out the shock. So, will the springs themselves hold up to the side to side deflection they will experience when compressed w/o a coil-over shock inside of them. If it makes it easier just think of a rear suspension application.

Thanks guys!

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Drone637

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Re: Coil over springs?

« Reply #3 on: May 24, 2007, 01:17:05 PM »

I don't think it would work for the same reason Work mentioned. To go with a Spring only setup with an independent suspension you would need to replace the strut with an alternative.

It's hard to explain, so I used mad mspaint skills to make this crudely drawn example.

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96 Geo Tracker, x-SJ-410, x-White Rabbit, x-Project Trouble
Crawlers NorthWest
x-Trouble Racing

MKOLSEN22

217
1
Gender:
Come on 32's

Re: Coil over springs?

« Reply #4 on: May 24, 2007, 01:52:36 PM »

you guys are missing the point.

Front suspension - "Stock" strut is retained in its stock position. Place coil over spring (spring only) in place of stock front spring.

Rear suspension - "Stock" shock retained in stock position. Place coil over spring (again, spring only) in place of stock rear spring.

All structurial suspension components are the same. Changing springs only.

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kingzoo

Re: Coil over springs?

« Reply #5 on: May 24, 2007, 05:48:52 PM »

It can,and has been done,and will work.but it is just as easy to get excelent aftermarket coil springs like my ome's,which come in three different ratings and lengths and use them.It also will save mucho headaches.

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WorkInProgress91

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Re: Coil over springs?

« Reply #6 on: May 24, 2007, 06:28:56 PM »

what would be the benefit of this?

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91 sidekick
2'' B/L, 2'' coil spacers
31'' swampers
winch
custom bumper tank lift camouflage duct tape

MKOLSEN22

217
1
Gender:
Come on 32's

Re: Coil over springs?

« Reply #7 on: May 24, 2007, 07:36:56 PM »

Looking for options once I get to the point of running the following front suspension:

3" A-Arm drop brackets
2" strut extenders
Strut mount flip
2"-3" front differential drop brackets
NO coil spring spacers

Potential of 5" - 6" of suspension only lift.

For the rear:

Extended lower links bushed frame end / Johnny Joint axle end
Extended upper link bushed frame end / Johnny Joint axle end
NO coil spacers

5" - 6" of lift to level it with the front.

Just another project that's floating around in my skull. I'm trying to figure out the possible components and how they will work with each other and if component x is going to work in the capacity that I'm thinking of using it in.

Add a 2" - 3" body lift and I have no idea how big a tire you could run.

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Drone637

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Re: Coil over springs?

« Reply #8 on: May 25, 2007, 09:36:45 AM »

So you want to run a coil over along side the strut? That would be a lot of dampening and you would still have to deal with the limitations of travel on the strut.

Has anyone ever looked at converting the Tracker to have an upper arm instead of a strut?

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96 Geo Tracker, x-SJ-410, x-White Rabbit, x-Project Trouble
Crawlers NorthWest
x-Trouble Racing

WorkInProgress91

122
0
31 gets it done

Re: Coil over springs?

« Reply #9 on: May 25, 2007, 11:45:51 AM »

I've been toying with the idea, but right now i'm working on just making my own struts that are travel limited by bump stops and limiting straps.

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91 sidekick
2'' B/L, 2'' coil spacers
31'' swampers
winch
custom bumper tank lift camouflage duct tape

MKOLSEN22

217
1
Gender:
Come on 32's

Re: Coil over springs?

« Reply #10 on: May 25, 2007, 12:29:29 PM »

Quote from: Drone637 on May 25, 2007, 09:36:45 AM

Has anyone ever looked at converting the Tracker to have an upper arm instead of a strut?

Check out the following link. Pretty amazing stuff from the archives.

http://www.zukiworld.com/month_050106/feature_hagen-newfrontend.htm

Enjoy!!

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Drone637

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Gender:
Evil Cow

Re: Coil over springs?

« Reply #11 on: May 25, 2007, 06:03:38 PM »

I forgot just how much work Hagen did to that rig...

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96 Geo Tracker, x-SJ-410, x-White Rabbit, x-Project Trouble
Crawlers NorthWest
x-Trouble Racing