I based my designs off of many things: the drawings with measurements posted a while back of the RCD ones, examining everything on the suspension itself, plus making cardboard mockups and revising things based on what I observed. As far as I've been able to tell without actually having things bolted in place, it will all line up properly. However, if I need to tweak anything once I get to that point, it's not a problem. Everything was cut CNC, and I can easily revise the program to make any changes.

As for the top spacer, I haven't done anything on that yet. That's a very simple thing to design once everything is in place. There's no sense in trying to design something like that before hand when you can easily get exact measurement information once the main part is in place. I also still have to work on the spacers that will go on the inside of the mounts. I need to get the width measurements of the eyelets from all the coilover brands to see what sizes I'll need to offer. Mine will use 1/4", as the collar on the spherical bearings is exactly 1", and the space inside the mounts are 1 1/2", but looking at some other shocks, I may have to make some thinner ones as well.

 

Just in case it could help, here is a link to that info I measured using my FOX brand 2.0 Series CO's: https://www.ranger-forums.com/showpo...&postcount=231

 

^^^ Good info. Looks like 1/2" spacers will work for the 2.0s, but I'll double check. Fox must have a technical drawing somewhere with the information to verify the width where the bolt passes through the bearing.

 

Brackets are looking good (and a lot closer to prduction) = makes me happy - subscribed (in for the first-run purchase)....

 

Put me down for a set....i just need the brackets

 

I missed it but is there a price? I forget if I asked and dont wanna shift through all these pages.

 

I had originally posted a price back around March or so that was based on a quote I had received from a shop. However, I'm going to have to get more information and see if the price will change as a result of the new way I'm doing these. The original shop was going to do everything. Now I'm doing some work myself, and subcontracting a couple of things, so I need to get quotes on those. Hopefully I can still come in about the same.

Also, the price I quoted was just brackets, and it seems that most want a kit, so there will be other components involved. Once I get a set installed, I will put together all the information I have and post up prices for brackets and kits so that each request is satisfied.

 

a kit would be awesome

 

I just joined today and I'm SOOOO glad I did. I've been trying to figure out a coilover conversion for a stock height truck for a while and a kit for the brackets & hardware would be awesome. Hope everything works out and we can all reap the benefits.

 

OK, so good news and bad news time.

Good news: uppers are perfect.

Bad news: lowers needed a slight redesign, but nothing major. Easy thing to do. Hopefully I'll have the new plates within a few days.

Bad news for me, but good information for all: you can not use coilovers with the shock body at the bottom, like the Strange ones I have. You must use shocks with the shaft at the bottom, like Fox or King. Also, highly recommended, if not necessary, are the extended eyelets for them. I'm ordering my new shocks and hope to have them by next weekend to fit the units with the new plates.

Anyway, here are a couple of pics. I tried to snap a shot showing why the style I have will not work, but basically you don't have enough room between the bump stop and the CV joint with the shock body at the bottom.

 

Not having extended eyelets is your problem. Thought everyone was on the same page with all the threads on coil-overs.

Looking good!

 

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry 8530)

The unfortunate thing is that you can't get extended eyelets for the Strange coilovers, because they're part of the body. I don't think I have read every coilover thread, so I must have missed the one on the eyelets. At any rate, it's moving forward. I'll get it done soon enough. Pics will continue as I make progress.

 

i think some of these conversions also had the bump stop cut flush with the frame and repositioned to gain some clearence for the shock also....maybe something to look into

 

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry 8530)

I had considered trimming the bump stops, but since I'm working on a kit, I want it to require as little vehicle modification as possible.

Also, for a SuperLifted truck, cutting the bump stops wouldn't be an issue, but for a stock height one, you should still have them.

 

Yeah, you really need all the room you can get down there between the CV boot and the coilover body/spring to prevent rubbing.

For my FOX coilover's the part number is #213-01-138-A, and those will work on a Series 2.0 setup w/ the standard 5/8" Shaft. Off the top of my head they are something like 3 3/4" from center of heim to the end of the rod end where the shaft threads into. They were like $50 for the pair.

In my picture you can see the extended ones as well as the unused standard length ones.


Here is the main thread I put most of my info...this is perhaps one of the threads KLC was talking about: https://www.ranger-forums.com/showth...ilover+sadness

14 pages of really good info....that may save some people headaches!


As far as the bumpstop relocation, I'm interested to see if you can come up with anything, because from all the research I have seen; you really have to trim that off in order to fit the spring in. Even the "kit" from ORW required this.

I have purchased a trim to fit "universal" bump stop replacement that I was planning on making work somehow/someway.

 

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry 8530)

OK some good news for me. I checked with Strange Engineering, and I can mount my shocks either way. They don't offer extended rod ends, but I'll design my own and have my brother-in-law machine them for me. I'm going to see if he'll be able to do it this week. If all goes well, I'm still looking at having it all together within the next week or so.

 

good to hear. goodluck

 

Yeah, I figured you could just mount them the other way, but I'm not familiar with Strange products so I didn't say anything.

 

I want coilovers so bad and this aint helpin my bank account

 

I figured as well, but wanted to double check with the manufacturer before going with it.

I've already designed the new rod ends, and sent the file to my brother-in-law to have him make me a couple. Here's a quick shot of the factory one, and the screen shot of the one in Solidworks. For some reason, the crazy JPEG compression on the screen shot is horrible, and the cell phone shot of the original isn't exactly clear, but you get the idea.

 

I've read all the pages of this thread but I may have missed it somewhere, but are you just trying to get better ride quality out of you dd? And I saw mention of a lot of additional hardware, but is that just planned to be associated wiht a bolt-on kit? I don't know much about it but it seems to me the pics I've seen here and elsewhere just appear to be the brackets fabbed up and welded to the frame, the only "hardware" being shims to center the shock in the bracket, but please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry 8530)

The purpose of coilovers is definitely ride quality. For a DD, this would be pretty much a bolt-on. However, if you plan on doing any off-roading, the gussets are necessary. The brackets bolt to your shock towers and to your lower control arms. They are not welded in. The hardware is what's needed to mount the brackets, and to secure the shocks to them.

 

Looking good man! That should do the trick for you!

 

i don't even have a truck yet and i can't wait for these lol

 

These are gonna take away from the house fund.... :(