T-G springs on Casey105's

[locktup]

I installed a set of Trail-Gear leaf springs and shackles yesterday on a never ending project, like most of our trucks. The truck was running 4" front springs 1.5" longer than stock with the frame tube moved forward and down from the stock location. The rear springs were 4", I'm not sure how long they were with buggy springs. I built a ramp and before we removed the old suspension we drove up the ramp. With a three year old, completely broken-in suspension with buggies, we backed 62" up the ramp (which is about 38" off the ground) before the front tire started to lift off the ground. Front and rear ramped within an inch of each other. We then removed the old springs and started to install the new Trail-Gear suspension. The Trail-Gear front springs are about 3/4" longer and the center pin was about 1/2 forward from the old springs, which I liked. We then removed the old rear springs and buggies. The Trail-Gear rear springs look to be 1 1/2" longer than the old springs and the center pin was roughly in the same place. I need to weld in new frame tubes for the rear shackles because there is to much shackle angle with the longer Trail-Gear rear springs, again which I like. Once all the new leaf springs and shackles were on we ramped it again. First we backed up the ramp. The front tire never came off the ground but we stopped once the rear tire came off the ground 3". The rear ramped the same as the old springs. We then drove forward up the ramp and stopped when the rear tire came off the ground about 2". The front and rear ramp roughly the same. Keep in mind these are new springs drive ten feet. I am looking forward to testing these springs on the trail. It doesn't look like the new springs will need a very long break-in period to soften up like the older ones did. Installation was easy. It took about three hours to ramp, remove the old gear and install all of the new gear. Attention to detail is one of the things that come to mind when I received these products. The leaf springs have clean paint that is not runny or chipped and I like the look of the Zink plated shackles. One thing I have been struggling with on the old springs is having to replace the front bushings two to three times a year. The bushings that we got from Trail-Gear seem to be a better quality product. The Polly bushings are solid and don't have air bubbles or pin holes in them. If weather permits we will run the new suspension New Year's weekend at Fordyce or the Rubicon.

Thanks Trail-Gear,
Jason


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[Trail-Gear]

I installed a set of Trail-Gear leaf springs and shackles yesterday on a never ending project, like most of our trucks. The truck was running 4" front springs 1.5" longer than stock with the frame tube moved forward and down from the stock location. The rear springs were 4", I'm not sure how long they were with buggy springs. I built a ramp and before we removed the old suspension we drove up the ramp. With a three year old, completely broken-in suspension with buggies, we backed 62" up the ramp (which is about 38" off the ground) before the front tire started to lift off the ground. Front and rear ramped within an inch of each other. We then removed the old springs and started to install the new Trail-Gear suspension. The Trail-Gear front springs are about 3/4" longer and the center pin was about 1/2 forward from the old springs, which I liked. We then removed the old rear springs and buggies. The Trail-Gear rear springs look to be 1 1/2" longer than the old springs and the center pin was roughly in the same place. I need to weld in new frame tubes for the rear shackles because there is to much shackle angle with the longer Trail-Gear rear springs, again which I like. Once all the new leaf springs and shackles were on we ramped it again. First we backed up the ramp. The front tire never came off the ground but we stopped once the rear tire came off the ground 3". The rear ramped the same as the old springs. We then drove forward up the ramp and stopped when the rear tire came off the ground about 2". The front and rear ramp roughly the same. Keep in mind these are new springs drive ten feet. I am looking forward to testing these springs on the trail. It doesn't look like the new springs will need a very long break-in period to soften up like the older ones did. Installation was easy. It took about three hours to ramp, remove the old gear and install all of the new gear. Attention to detail is one of the things that come to mind when I received these products. The leaf springs have clean paint that is not runny or chipped and I like the look of the Zink plated shackles. One thing I have been struggling with on the old springs is having to replace the front bushings two to three times a year. The bushings that we got from Trail-Gear seem to be a better quality product. The Polly bushings are solid and don't have air bubbles or pin holes in them. If weather permits we will run the new suspension New Year's weekend at Fordyce or the Rubicon.

Thanks Trail-Gear,
Jason


I will post the ramp pictures as soon as I figure out how.


Email the pictures to Chris Geiger at geiger@trail-gear.com and he will make the post for you.

Thanks for the great report, I can't wait to see the images.

Matt

[casey105]

Hey Matt and Chris....Thank You Very Much !!! WE won't let you down.. Again , Thank you, casey105

[locktup]

Casey, call Chris and buy two bumpstops for the front.
Later.

[casey105]

Wrecking Ball last year.

http://www.home.surewest.net/locktup4x4/images/JUNK_029.JPG

[locktup]

I relocated the rear frame tubes today to get a better shackle angle.
Going on Dec 31st to test the new springs.

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[KS Toy]

Looks like they work great. Don't forget the bump stops! That is a sharp truck for sure. I really like the blink wheels & locks. Are they Trail Ready locks?

[locktup]

Looks like they work great. Don't forget the bump stops! That is a sharp truck for sure. I really like the blink wheels & locks. Are they Trail Ready locks?

Yes they are Trail Ready, and thanks I take alot of pride in what I build.

[locktup]

SORRY, storming way to bad up here to go out and test. Shooting for next weekend.

[locktup]

Well, we finally got out to test Casey's new Trail-Gear springs. The first thing we noticed driving down the dirt road is that the truck has a softer ride than it did before. Casey's truck maintained stability, without a lot of body roll while turning. We went looking for some rocks, sand, mud and hill climbs. The first place we found was a river with steep washouts. I was concerned about axel wrap because of the softer ride, so Casey dropped into the river and climbed out several of the steep washouts to test this out. The sandy climbs were not a problem and even with a heavy foot the truck didn't experience any axle wrap. We were able to knock down an undercut part of a washout to use as a ramp and launched the truck in the air a couple of times. Great fun when it's not your truck! We found a few rock piles and crawled around to cross-up the suspension and put it in some really off-camber positions. The truck held steady on the off-camber spots, but the driver was uneasy because he was unfamiliar with the softer springs. Next we came across a slippery hill climb that we could only get half-way up. Casey made several attempts, with lots of throttle, to reach the top but gave up before he blew up his motor. On the trail today, we all thought the springs worked awesome on all the terrain we played on. The first run of Trail-Gear springs impressed everyone in this group because they performed better than the three year old, broken-in springs. Next weekend Casey is taking his truck to the Hammers. When he comes back, he should have some insight on how well the springs work on the big rocks. He'll also have some pictures to post.



Thanks again Matt and Chris,

Jason


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[locktup]

HAMMERS
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[casey105]

Thanks Matt,

I love the springs they work great. Locktup said I need to learn how to keep it on all fours for the spring to work. Sorry I'm not long on words.

Thanks again,
Casey

[Trail-Gear]

Casey,

I am glad that the springs are working out. It was really funny, the Monday after the All-Pro Jamboree I got a phone call from Jon Bundrant. He asked who the guy was in the black 4runner, it took me awhile to figure out that it was you he was talking about.

Thanks for sporting the stickers!

Matt

[casey105]

Yeah.........Funny you say that, Jon looked at me as to say, who are you? I had nothing but good things to say about TRAIL-GEAR all day !!!!! Thank you again , Casey

[Trail-Gear]

Classic!

[casey105]

Received my bump extension today, Thank you John. Hammers in April can't wait , see everyone there Thanx , Casey.........

[toy4x4boy]

Are you running the 4 or 5" springs?

[casey105]

They are 5''...........I have to say, they work great !!!!! Was running early All Pro 4'' worked , so so. For sure noticed a BIG change in the way the truck flexs with the New spings. So put the money down!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank You for asking. 50 day's till hammer time..

[locktup]

Doing more work. Redoing the back part of the cage, I never liked it.

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[KS Toy]

Sweet ride. Can I have the wheels?

[locktup]

We didn't have any passengers to take pictures, so the few we have aren't very good. Plus we always seemed to be working on some ones rig. Casey will post up and let you know what he thinks of the 4" T-G springs

[locktup]

This is a buddy of ours with 4" Trail-Gear springs. This was his first run with them. The first two are Sledge Hammer and the second two Outer Limits

[casey105]

Well I picked up a set of Trail-Creeper Wheels with 39" BFG Sticky Crawlers.
The wheels are first class

[casey105]

More

[casey105]

I had to put these gussets on that Locktup designed

[Trail-Gear]

More

NICE RIMS!

[casey105]

Thank's Matt, I can't wait to try them out.....

[Loki]

i can finally see some of the pictures in the first couple of posts...looks really good. if i had 1200 bucks, i'd have a set of those creeper wheels, i just wish they came in 15's so i didn't have to purchase new tires. oh well. when i get a set, i'll go with the Krawlers

[locktup]

Finish that thing up already.

[casey105]

pictures on sunday

[casey105]

Well I finally got the axle put back together. Locktup made new steering linkage for the 3/4"x3/4" heims that bolt to the Six Shooter Knuckles. Got the New Trail Creeper wheels and BFG 39" Crawlers on and drove it around the block and up the RTI Ramp. It all looks good.

[casey105]

more

[casey105]

1 more

[casey105]

2 more

[Loki]

looking good...i need a trailer bad

[casey105]

need to install my new TG rear axles and everything is good

[locktup]

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[Loki]

is casey running the 12" slip up front?

[locktup]

Casey just spent a ton of money at AA Fab. We are going to 4 link the rear with 16" King Coil Overs. Check out the joints we are putting on. 32 degrees of deflection. also going with new tubes in the rear.

[casey105]

can't wait to get started,got a great hookup from AA-FAB.com, being part of locktup fan club..............pricele$$

[Chris Dunbar]

Dude, who drinks Blue Ribbon anymore?

I think my grandpa used to drink that stuff in the 70's.




SWEET HEIMS THOUGH!!!

[locktup]

Nothing but the best for me.













I keep that on hand for my grandpa.

Jason

[casey105]

nothing but the best,in the locktup shop.