Stiffer Springs
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Stiffer Springs
So, my heavily mutated vehicle (formerly a '78 F250) has a bit of a wobble on her. For one week, I am going to have plenty of people on this truck, standing in the back, hanging out on the second floor, etc. Now that our second structure is up, it's apparent that we are going to need a stiffer suspension, especially in the back. What can I do? Ideally the solution would be cheap and easy, as I now have both time and money constraints. I bought some air shocks for the rear, and I pumped them up, but that didnt' help too much. What else can I do? Any advice is welcomed.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: North Texas
Originally Posted by BottomFeeder
...I am going to have plenty of people on this truck, standing in the back, hanging out on the second floor, etc. Now that our second structure is up, it's apparent that we are going to need a stiffer suspension, especially in the back.
Stiffer sway bars should help with side to side wobble more than stiffer springs.
If the truck is stopped when people are moving about on it, then I'd take a cue off of work trucks and build outriggers. With some careful thought they could be bolted into place once the truck stops and make the structure feel very solid, while being cheap.
Last edited by derherr65; Aug 16, 2006 at 08:36 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
This vehicle has been hacked apart. It is being turned into an art car for Burning Man. Here is a photo: http://flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=...7158538&size=l
I will have better photos in a few days. The squid is still being constructed. Go to www.burningman.com to see what it's all about. Or just do an image search on google.
Unfortunately, the truck will be driving around the desert with people up top. The truck will be at idle speed, so it won't allow for outriggers.
I inflated the shocks yesterday and they may be sufficient. But, since this truck will be used for such purposes in the future as well, I'll keep in mind a larger sway bar and perhaps another leaf.
I will have better photos in a few days. The squid is still being constructed. Go to www.burningman.com to see what it's all about. Or just do an image search on google.
Unfortunately, the truck will be driving around the desert with people up top. The truck will be at idle speed, so it won't allow for outriggers.
I inflated the shocks yesterday and they may be sufficient. But, since this truck will be used for such purposes in the future as well, I'll keep in mind a larger sway bar and perhaps another leaf.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 0
http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/61604F.html
http://www.roughcountry.com/hellwig_lp35.htm#Ford
or
Could find another set of leaf spring off the F250 rear leaf springs, and double up on the leaf springs, will need to add longer u-bolts on leaf spring/ axle housing. Going to need two special bolts and nuts hold the leaf springs together sold at most auto part stores. Just make sure they are the same width as the leaf springs on your truck (2 1/2" or 3" in width wide).
Or
Find a donor truck with the extra overloads leaf springs, u-bolt and block found on F250 or F350. Will need the metal flanges and bolts which bolt onto the frame and which make contact with the overloads leaf springs when loaded. Camper special trucks or some newer trucks have them at the junk yard. Just make sure they are the same width as the leaf springs on your truck (2 1/2" or 3" in width wide). as shown in type 4 of http://www.stengelbros.com/HeavyDutyHelperKits.htm
Just curious, Is the second floor on rig going to withstand the weight of the people on top and swaying?
http://www.roughcountry.com/hellwig_lp35.htm#Ford
or
Could find another set of leaf spring off the F250 rear leaf springs, and double up on the leaf springs, will need to add longer u-bolts on leaf spring/ axle housing. Going to need two special bolts and nuts hold the leaf springs together sold at most auto part stores. Just make sure they are the same width as the leaf springs on your truck (2 1/2" or 3" in width wide).
Or
Find a donor truck with the extra overloads leaf springs, u-bolt and block found on F250 or F350. Will need the metal flanges and bolts which bolt onto the frame and which make contact with the overloads leaf springs when loaded. Camper special trucks or some newer trucks have them at the junk yard. Just make sure they are the same width as the leaf springs on your truck (2 1/2" or 3" in width wide). as shown in type 4 of http://www.stengelbros.com/HeavyDutyHelperKits.htm
Just curious, Is the second floor on rig going to withstand the weight of the people on top and swaying?
Last edited by 1975Ford; Aug 16, 2006 at 11:57 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: North Texas
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
"Just curious, Is the second floor on rig going to withstand the weight of the people on top and swaying?"
I'm curious too! I built with some basic simple calculations. I figure it can hold about half a ton on top (with a good safety factor). But, just to be safe we're going to limit the amount of people up there to 5 or 6 while we're cruising through the desert. We'll also make sure that people don't start rocking back and forth too much. We've found that people prefer to have fun and enjoy the ride, not break it. I'm really not worried about it breaking, but I also want people to FEEL safe up there. And it's pretty darn high. Plus, we don't want all of that swaying to spill our beer.
We're putting in a purposely difficult rope ladder, so only the agile can join the top. And of course, the handrails need to be finished as well.
Since I'm leaving for Burning Man in 10 days, I really don't have time to add to the springs (I've got alot of other details to finish). But next year we'll have a much stiffer suspension.
Thanks for the help.
I'm curious too! I built with some basic simple calculations. I figure it can hold about half a ton on top (with a good safety factor). But, just to be safe we're going to limit the amount of people up there to 5 or 6 while we're cruising through the desert. We'll also make sure that people don't start rocking back and forth too much. We've found that people prefer to have fun and enjoy the ride, not break it. I'm really not worried about it breaking, but I also want people to FEEL safe up there. And it's pretty darn high. Plus, we don't want all of that swaying to spill our beer.
We're putting in a purposely difficult rope ladder, so only the agile can join the top. And of course, the handrails need to be finished as well.
Since I'm leaving for Burning Man in 10 days, I really don't have time to add to the springs (I've got alot of other details to finish). But next year we'll have a much stiffer suspension.
Thanks for the help.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 0
Helper springs is a real quick way of adding overloads if the budget is available.
Once you have the truck over loaded, The rubber bumpers on frame might contact the rear axle housing and not allow the truck to sway excessively.
Once you have the truck over loaded, The rubber bumpers on frame might contact the rear axle housing and not allow the truck to sway excessively.