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coil spacer install questions

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Offline Jookycola

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coil spacer install questions
« on: July 05, 2009, 05:25:08 PM »
I bought Jeffs Spacers, i bought the longer Crown Vic shocks.
what kind of strut do i need?
Stock size?
and when i install the strut and the spring spacer....do i need to flip the strut mount...or will that make my front end sit up higher?

I basically want the truck to have the same "stance" as it is stock only lifted 2 more inches.
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Offline safarikick

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3+3 calmini 5.12 a lock in the back and front with steel front diff. 4.24 in tc

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Offline THETRACKER

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Re: coil spacer install questions
« Reply #2 on: July 05, 2009, 11:30:17 PM »
ford E150 (van) rear shocks from pep boys. works like its made for jeffs kit. the sensatac are to good of a shock for the van so it makes the tracker kind of stiff in the rear. but i might be adding weight in the back soon (high-lift jack, rack, gas can, etcs.) buts its up to u. u should try a monroe-matics for the same application, it might ride better comparing a big as$ van to the little tonka. pics just to let u know how it is.



here's how my track stand with the 2inch lift on 235-75-15's




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Offline jeff1997

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Re: coil spacer install questions
« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2009, 06:24:45 PM »
Jookycola, did you get the strut spacers from me? If you did that is all you need up front, coil spacers and strut spacers.
1997 4dr. Sidekick Sport 1.8L DOHC
2" coil spacers- I make and sell 1.5" and 2" on e-bay.  Look under seller: hoepkers
3" Masterkit1 body lift
Custom strut spacers
31/11.50/16 Super Swamper LTB's w/1.5" wheel spacers Steel bumpers Custom cold air intake 2" exhaust w/cherry bomb 98 Expedition, 2" lift, 35's, Magnaflow exhaust - BIG BLUE

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Offline Uncivilized

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Re: coil spacer install questions
« Reply #4 on: July 07, 2009, 05:20:26 PM »
what kind of strut do i need?
Stock size?
and when i install the strut and the spring spacer....do i need to flip the strut mount...or will that make my front end sit up higher?
You can use the stock struts, but you need to do something to regain the drop travel.  Flipping the strut mount will not make the front sit higher. I added a 2.5" 3-bolt exhaust flange to the flipped strut mount to fill in the gap, it was a perfect match just like the one Calmini offers in their 2" suspension kit   ::)


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Offline Jookycola

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Re: coil spacer install questions
« Reply #5 on: July 09, 2009, 10:20:26 AM »
Jookycola, did you get the strut spacers from me? If you did that is all you need up front, coil spacers and strut spacers.

Yeah like a year ago.  I've too busy to put them on.  But now i need new tires AND new suspension.  So i thought i'd kill 2 birds with one stone
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Offline Jookycola

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Re: coil spacer install questions
« Reply #6 on: July 14, 2009, 09:33:12 PM »
Actually...I read the how-to article that was linked here.  And i see no mention of crown vic, or longer travel shocks.  Does this mean i don't really need them?  Should i just do stock suspension parts for this kit.

I'm thinking now that the crown vic shocks may be over kill and will lift the back too high now.
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Online fordem

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Re: coil spacer install questions
« Reply #7 on: July 15, 2009, 05:23:37 AM »
I haven't read the article - but - using a longer shock should not lift the vehicle any.

It's the spring that lifts the vehicle, the shock is there to damp or control the oscillations (bounce), longer shocks may be required (depending on how much you have lifted) as the original shock may no longer have enough travel to accomodate the movement of the suspension.

Technically speaking - there is a little more to it than just finding a longer shock with the correct fittings - there is the damping to be considered, but what ever works for you guys...
« Last Edit: July 15, 2009, 05:29:34 AM by fordem »
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Offline hegemon

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Re: coil spacer install questions
« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2009, 06:48:08 AM »
You do need the longer shocks on the rear, and the crown vic shocks are a good choice, but you will need to pound the metal bushing out of the stock shock lower mount, to use in the crown vic shock.  You'll notice the opening for the bolt on the crown vic shock is too large without the bushing.  You can also use 1995 ford mustang shocks, which bolt right up.

As for the struts, the stock struts are fine with this kit, but as Jeff mentioned you will need to add his strut spacer to account for the spring spacers.  Jeff's instructions call for the strut plate studs to be drilled out,  I found a couple hard smacks with a hammer and the pop right out, much easier and faster, just support the plate well so it doesn't get warped.

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Offline Jookycola

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Re: coil spacer install questions
« Reply #9 on: July 15, 2009, 09:28:57 AM »
Do i need a strut spacer? or can i just flip the stock strut mount?
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Offline MUD CHILD

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Re: coil spacer install questions
« Reply #10 on: July 15, 2009, 12:00:42 PM »
Do i need a strut spacer? or can i just flip the stock strut mount?


Yes you do need a strut spacer, I do make them and sell them for $80 for the pair here is a picture of the lift kit I make you can see them in the picture. They are plasma cut, tig welded and powder coated
NO DITCH TO DEEP NO HILL TO STEEP

http://srcustoms.ca/

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Offline Drone637

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Re: coil spacer install questions
« Reply #11 on: July 15, 2009, 02:54:25 PM »
Do i need a strut spacer? or can i just flip the stock strut mount?

I recommend the spacer as well.  The strut mount flip works fine, but it doesn't give you that much more space.  I'm currently running GV springs in the front and with the stut mount flip I'm pretty much maxed out on my travel.  It's killing the ride.  :D
96 Geo Tracker, x-SJ-410,  x-White Rabbit, x-Project Trouble
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Offline Jookycola

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Re: coil spacer install questions
« Reply #12 on: July 15, 2009, 08:47:04 PM »
DAMN!
i was all set to do this this weekend.  I went and bought the struts too.  But jeff says if i bought his struts that's all i should need.  Since I'm pretty much doing more street driving for the time being (too much school & work...not enough free time for off-roading)  Would i be fine with just a flipped mount for now?  I don't need serious articulation right now.  i just want to get my new shocks/struts put in so it doesn't feel like i'm riding a wooden wagon anymore.

And i wanted to get the spacer put in at the same time since i'm already going to be down there.  But i must have spacers i'll just wait a while longer.
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Offline Lindenmooch

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Re: coil spacer install questions
« Reply #13 on: July 15, 2009, 08:53:47 PM »
DAMN!
i was all set to do this this weekend.  I went and bought the struts too.  But jeff says if i bought his struts that's all i should need.  Since I'm pretty much doing more street driving for the time being (too much school & work...not enough free time for off-roading)  Would i be fine with just a flipped mount for now?  I don't need serious articulation right now.  i just want to get my new shocks/struts put in so it doesn't feel like i'm riding a wooden wagon anymore.

And i wanted to get the spacer put in at the same time since i'm already going to be down there.  But i must have spacers i'll just wait a while longer.

what struts did you buy?  You don't need to buy new struts to install a coil spacer lift.....All you need are the spacers.  The only thing I DIDN'T buy from Jeff1997 was a diff spacer, and my installation went just fine.  I didn't even flip my strut mounts.  Real simple.

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Offline Jookycola

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Re: coil spacer install questions
« Reply #14 on: July 15, 2009, 09:01:08 PM »
Oh, no.  I know that.  My entire suspension is shot...it's the factory shocks & struts from 1995.
LOL
the truck rides worse than a samurai, i've riden in red wagons that ride smoother than my truck.  The struts and shocks on my truck are almost 15 years old and rode through 128,000 miles.  I needed to replace them last year and was just too busy.  I just bought stock sized Gabriel struts for the front, and Crown vic shocks for the back.  I figured since i'm already replacing them i may as well install the spacers i got from jeff last summer too.  Just when i thought i was all set, everyones got me scared with all this talk that i need to buy more stuff.  HaHa.
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