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Soften M1123 suspension

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Mk23

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Port Angeles, WA
So which coil overs did you go with?

I went with 1000# springs up front, but with a GMV bumper and a Sherpa winch, it's sitting about 1.5" too low. Rides great, would like it a bit higher though. I know I can do the 1200# winch springs, but was curious about your set up.

coolboatguy said:
I used a router personally but you could use a table saw, reciprocating saw or even just leave it. The router allows you to ease the inside corner of the spacer to fit over the lip of the mount. The spacer has a flat bottom and mount has a lip.

I have since upgraded to coilovers in the front. I like the adjustability of spring swaps, and shock valvings. If someone was to do this I would suggest do the rears first. Then decide what they want with the fronts.

daystar KN09103BK
Click to expand...
 
C

coolboatguy

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las vegas
Mk23 said:
So which coil overs did you go with?

I went with 1000# springs up front, but with a GMV bumper and a Sherpa winch, it's sitting about 1.5" too low. Rides great, would like it a bit higher though. I know I can do the 1200# winch springs, but was curious about your set up.
Click to expand...
The ride height is not dependent on spring rate. It is dependent on spring length. So the question i now have is whats too low? Nobody seems to answer that question before getting a particular spring. I used the armada springs in the front and I felt they were too long for the given stiffness. Hub to fender measurement or clearance under middle of truck.

I made my own coilover mounts and use generic aftermarket coilovers but this system allows you any spring rate, any ride height and any shock valving. A truly custom offering to really dial in these trucks.
 
C

coolboatguy

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las vegas
SMP2010 said:
Thank you. What about springs, do you happen to know the Moog part number? is it 81085 as mentioned above?
Click to expand...
I believe it was. Thats the 16.5"l x .81"d spring. The AC Delco ones are an exact match and i have used both. It all about price on any given week. Looks and works great with the heavy duty mount imo. An option i havent tried is using the 16" 4x4 with the stock mount. Trimming a little off could give you a good lift and a heavier rate. I have done the 2x4 15.5"l x. 78"d spring and that I can tell you it is like riding on a cloud. But it might be real borderline for some on ride height and weight capacity and thus don't recommend it unless you want to experiment. I especially would not use it in the front. You have to cut too much off to support the vehicle and then you need to add the spacer. It worked but I felt it just looked stupid. The 4x4 16" is the winner here I think but haven't tried it yet. The 16.5 was an inch or 2 too tall (at the wheel) at my ride requirements. That .5" difference would eat one of those inches.

Bottom line is 2 different mounts with 3 different springs along with trimming and poly spacer options can really give you some options on weight capacity and ride quality/height for less than $200 bucks total.

The pic is the rear at middle ride height. After almost 2 years off road it did sag a little and I am going to put a thin poly spacer in there.
 

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Glider

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South Pittsburg, TN
coolboatguy said:
I believe it was. Thats the 16.5"l x .81"d spring. The AC Delco ones are an exact match and i have used both. It all about price on any given week. Looks and works great with the heavy duty mount imo. An option i havent tried is using the 16" 4x4 with the stock mount. Trimming a little off could give you a good lift and a heavier rate. I have done the 2x4 15.5"l x. 78"d spring and that I can tell you it is like riding on a cloud. But it might be real borderline for some on ride height and weight capacity and thus don't recommend it unless you want to experiment. I especially would not use it in the front. You have to cut too much off to support the vehicle and then you need to add the spacer. It worked but I felt it just looked stupid. The 4x4 16" is the winner here I think but haven't tried it yet. The 16.5 was an inch or 2 too tall (at the wheel) at my ride requirements. That .5" difference would eat one of those inches.

Bottom line is 2 different mounts with 3 different springs along with trimming and poly spacer options can really give you some options on weight capacity and ride quality/height for less than $200 bucks total.

The pic is the rear at middle ride height. After almost 2 years off road it did sag a little and I am going to put a thin poly spacer in there.
Click to expand...
Do you have a part number for the 16" 4x4? You recommend not using 2x4 spring for front. Does that still apply for 4x4 spring
 
J

jrtoffroad

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Colorado Springs, CO USA
Glider said:
Do you have a part number for the 16" 4x4? You recommend not using 2x4 spring for front. Does that still apply for 4x4 spring
Click to expand...
The 4x4 springs would need to be trimmed down to get an acceptable ride height in front. Without trimming, they're more appropriately sized for the rear with the HD cast mount, which allows for a ~2" longer spring.

The 2x4 spring will work in the front, but may end up a little low after they settle. I ran the 2x4's in the rear after swapping to the welded mounts (which gives the same spring mounting height as the front). They ride awesome, but I think they might be a little light for the front, especially if you have a winch or big bumper.

One other note, I was looking around a couple days ago and it appears most of the Armada Springs are out of stock. I couldn't find anything. I did find that a ~2001 Ram 1500/2500 front coil spring appears to have similar dimensions and could work with some trimming. I'm going to try these on the front of my HMMWV this weekend. The one's I chose have a 0.81 wire diameter, and the same ID/OD as a stock HMMWV spring, they're just really long (I think 17").
 
D

derekfc

New member
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sandy utah
Hello
Did anybody ever figure out a good solution for this?
My truck is 6200# and i have no plans on towing. Just live my life on rough fire cut trails.

Thanks for the help.
 
C

coolboatguy

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las vegas
derekfc said:
Hello
Did anybody ever figure out a good solution for this?
My truck is 6200# and i have no plans on towing. Just live my life on rough fire cut trails.

Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
a solution aside from what? the coils work.


jrtoffroad said:
The 4x4 springs would need to be trimmed down to get an acceptable ride height in front. Without trimming, they're more appropriately sized for the rear with the HD cast mount, which allows for a ~2" longer spring.

The 2x4 spring will work in the front, but may end up a little low after they settle. I ran the 2x4's in the rear after swapping to the welded mounts (which gives the same spring mounting height as the front). They ride awesome, but I think they might be a little light for the front, especially if you have a winch or big bumper.

One other note, I was looking around a couple days ago and it appears most of the Armada Springs are out of stock. I couldn't find anything. I did find that a ~2001 Ram 1500/2500 front coil spring appears to have similar dimensions and could work with some trimming. I'm going to try these on the front of my HMMWV this weekend. The one's I chose have a 0.81 wire diameter, and the same ID/OD as a stock HMMWV spring, they're just really long (I think 17").
Click to expand...
the ram coils dont work. i started with those. besides, they made like 50 different ones and it was impossible keeping track of them.
 
J

jrtoffroad

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Colorado Springs, CO USA
coolboatguy said:
a solution aside from what? the coils work.




the ram coils dont work. i started with those. besides, they made like 50 different ones and it was impossible keeping track of them.
Click to expand...
Define "Don't work". I ran the ram springs in my last HMMWV and they worked fine. Yes, there are a number of different rates. I wouldn't really recommend them as they're not a great fit, but they worked and rode very nicely, just don't fit as well as the Aramada's.

My current M1123 HMMWV I'm running stock front springs and 4x4 armada's is the rear with a small spacer (this one still has the cast mounts). This is probably the right solution for most people. Rides well, still has decent load capacity, etc.
 
C

coolboatguy

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Location
las vegas
jrtoffroad said:
Define "Don't work". I ran the ram springs in my last HMMWV and they worked fine. Yes, there are a number of different rates. I wouldn't really recommend them as they're not a great fit, but they worked and rode very nicely, just don't fit as well as the Aramada's.

My current M1123 HMMWV I'm running stock front springs and 4x4 armada's is the rear with a small spacer (this one still has the cast mounts). This is probably the right solution for most people. Rides well, still has decent load capacity, etc.
Click to expand...
The ram coils don't fit nearly as well as the armadas. Hence they don't work. And the Armada in the rear is the bare minimum and will for most peoples purposes, all they need to do.
 
J

jrtoffroad

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Colorado Springs, CO USA
SmartDrug said:
What year Armada 4x4? I’ve seen mixed messages on the year.
Click to expand...
I've been using 2008. Not sure the exact year range, but that works great. Just so it's clear on ride height: with a stamped steel mount you'll most likely want cut somewhere around 1-1.5 coils and with a cast mount you'll want a small spacer with a full length coil (I'm using 1/2").
 
C

Coug

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Keep in mind that you might find either of the types of spring upper mounts in the rear.

For the cast mounts you will run the rear springs longer.

For the welded mounts they end up the same height springs for front and rear (but you can tune length for your average loaded weight)

Just pointing this out because not everyone knows there is more than one spring upper mount type and that they are different lengths.
It's been mentioned a few times, but it's one of those things that people just don't always pay attention to.
 
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