My upper mounts have now arrived and measurements and such are done and it looks like I have two purchases left to make....Calmini leaf packs (going with the SAS leaf replacements as at $299 it is such a bargain I can't help it) and then the shocks (which I still haven't decided on yet...)...Question is on the leafs...I know I should purchase new u-bolts along with the leafs but what about the bushings?? Can I reuse the old bushings or should I purchase new ones?? If so anyone out there have a reccomendation on where and which bushings to get?? Thanks!

Well, the OEM ones are pretty good actually...but you could swap in poly versions, or go wild and just get Orbit-Eyes.

As far as shocks, I would look into the Billstein 12" shortbody. It's going to be the same stroke as the 12inch shock but with the 10inch body. That way you will have the clearance AND the travel.

If you talk to SLR they have worked with Billstein on the valving with a spring pack and no sway bar.

I'd also consider DEAVER's "Baja Bushings" for the rear spring pack.

Baja Bushings Write Up on Trails Less Traveled

Thought about that...but I believe the 7100's have only 1/2" eye's on them and I need 5/8" eyes which Fox, and Racerunners can be ordered with....Please correct me if I am wrong....

Hmmm...those short bodyies are like perfect for the measurements I am looking for...if Bilstein doesnt make bushings to accomodate a 5/8" mount I may have to "reduce" the size of the mounts I have...

Are you going to be using bushings on the shocks instead of taking advantage of the heimed ends? If you are using bushings and want to convert them look into the BugPack bushings I told you about. I hope that if you do go with these shocks you will get the resevoirs otherwise you are really just getting a glorified 5100 shocks.

Yes, I would be getting the remote resevoirs if I get them...do you have to get the heims seperately? I thought the regular bushings were the way they came standard..

7100 + shocks are built with heim ends. Bushings would suggest a urethane or other like matterial such as the 5100 OE type ends.





See the difference?

The BugPack bushings I was telling you about slip into the heims convert the heim fittings to bushings.

No...I think I would stay with the heims and just work to reduce the 5/8" pins to 1/2"...

Can you add Orbit Eyes to regular leaves? I thought that the leaves had to be built with them.

Those Baja Bushings look interesting although I would think we might need custom inners sleeves on one side since the front hanger and rear shackle take different size bolts.

Socal...have you been in contact with Deaver about these already?

Only 12" travel shocks? I get around 11.5" with the stock mounts now with the CALMINI SAS pack. Seems to me that 14" travel shocks would be more worth the work to relocate the mounts, but it is nice to get them out of the bang zone.

No you shouldn’t reuse ubolt’s, lock washers, etc the CALMINI pack comes with new bushings. If you're going to be desert/baja running at speed mostly then the Deaver spring setup like Editor has is better suited for that type of stuff IMO.

True about the springs. Socal runs them too. I am going to call Jeff at Deaver and talk to him about the bushings.

Oh, and welding is taking place on Monday.

The only way you are going to get more shock is to go through the floor or to use the stock lower mounting locations and move the upper mount as high as you can. The obvious limiting factor is the floor of the truck. The difference between us and a pick-up is that they are not exposing the inside of their truck to the elements by building a cage and running the shocks through the floor.

The true advantage of running the 7100 with the resi is the elimination of shock fade do to excessive heat since you now have the resevoir to enhance oil flow and keep temps down. The key to the whole thing is shock valving. You can put a 3.0 King back there and if it isn't valved properly for your aplication it's not going to work.

Brian, these have been out in the market a short time and although I haven't talked to Jeff about them, I am following different opinions of them. My one concern is whether or not they will contribute to additional sway in on road use but from what I can tell it doesn't seem to be an issue.

If you want to read a thread about them on DezerRangers there are quite a few comments including one guy that races on leaf springs that won a recent 1450 race and says they give a leaf spring truck link like performance.

Quick notes from a conversation with Jeff minutes ago -

As opposed to orbit eyes do not have to be built with the pack as a unit therefore can be added to existing pack.

1 1/2 in spring eye with 2.5in. width - one part number...not ours

Top of his head:

SBA2041 Metric 40millimiter made to fit perfect on a 60MM. or 2 1/2 and 40MM with washers that fit against the snap ring inside and will make it work. Currently works with Toyotas with their long travel and likely with Nissan's long travel pack.

Sticker on them that covers liability (Race Use)... teflon coated bearings that Kartek sells replacements to....are a wearable part have to be maintained and checked and replaced when worn .... will possibly create some body roll in street use.

They retail for $165 for the pair to use on the ends at the shakle. Mine go on a week from Monday.

Baja Bushings discussion on DR

Ended up purchasing these... Bilstein 7100\'s will retain the heims on both ends. Went with the 12" travel short bodies as its just cutting things too close compression wise trying to stuff the 14" short bodies or 12" regular body (Fox, RaceRunner, etc.) under there...now its just the Calmini leaf springs and it can all be put on....

I'm going to measure the compressed and extended space available and go from there. I'd hate to get 12's then 14's would fit. Could end out bottoming the shock that way.

yeah, perhaps if I had longer leafs or revolver shackles but the way the measurements came out on mine and the angle I have the shocks at It is my belief the leafs should stop the downward travel before the shocks get to their limits...

If you do decide to go with the 7100 12' short bodies, what valving are you going with. I'm assuming that you are getting rid of the sway bar so you want to make sure you get the equivelant to the 20% stiffer than OE valving.

I would give SLR a call because they have done the research and know how those specific shocks should be valved and can order them as needed through Bilstein.

Delays delays....welder was out sick today. Bummer. :rolleyes:

Don't worry, you'll be done long before me...my shocks still have to come in and I need to get the springs...make sure to take pics ASAP when it gets done...

Perhaps. But by chance I was talking to my neighbor who's a design engineer type. Turns out he used to design suspension for GM. We came up with a nice design and will work very well. I'll PM you if you are interested. It requires a new crossmember where the one that supported my spare tires currently is. Since it's only tack welded there, it will come out and be replaced with something much stronger and higher for shock mounting purposes. This of course leaves the shocks slanted to the rear, but there are advantages to this. I'll tell you about it later if you are interested.

Final design is done and welding will now take place on Friday. I should be able to get you pictures by next week or shortly after.

PM me please

Sweet!! Can't wait to see....