High clearance U-Bolt plates?

[xoc]

Originally posted by rrdstarr
My question about the yellow one is that it looks like we will need a shorter shock absorber? Am I right?

If you are running the longer Bilstien shock, that SLR sells for use with their spring pack, you will need to replace them, or use bumpstop extensions.

I put the rear shocks on my X for a few days before my spring pack arrived, and they bottomed out easily due to the extra length.

The Darlington U-bolt plate will move it back up to stock height or higher, and cause a serious problem with broken shocks.

[Schludwiller]

I ordered the Darlington Offroad u-bolt sliders a while ago, but finally got around to installing them in preparation for Moab. No real surprises. The main PIA was getting my old u-bolts off as I had the extra long u-bolts torched off when installing my 10-leaf spring pack.

The u-bolts do go out at an angle and do not hang straight down. Wider shoes (don't know what the hell they're called) on top of the axle would fix this problem. But each bolt sets against the leafs and doesn't appear to have any idea of moving.

The shock bolt was interesting. It bolts into the skids, but taps out before squashing the shock bushings, allowing them to rotate snugly. I torqued the bolt down, and will keep an eye on it, but I don't see it coming free the way it sits.

The best part is my 10-leaf pack is now at level with my differential, and not my lowest point. I don't need to get new shocks, because the new spring pack extended my Bilsteins down 2" and the u-bolt sliders moved them back up, so it's a rub.

Here are the pics.

[Toy Man]

When I installed the top mount version,
my Rancho 9116's shocks were way
too compressed. Which I thought a
little strange as I have 10 leaf SLR
spring packs.

Emailed Joe Darlington and he said send
them back and he would make up and
send me a set of low mount ones.
(Small fee for shipping and/or
painting if required.)

Will let you know you how they work
when I get them.

Toy Man

[Schludwiller]

I'm going to let my shocks settle tomorrow, and then I've got my choice of 1" or 2" shackles to install if I encounter any bottoming out.

[Kennedy]

Afetr running these a while, I finally got a set of SLR bumpstop extensions and now am running the SLR spring pack with 2 inch shackles.

I was actually sitting at stock ride height with the 10 leaf pack...

If you have the top mounts with a lift that is still effective you should be OK with bumpstop extensions...

[OffroadX]

I'm seriously considering a set of these at some point, my lower shock mounts are rather beat up. I also want to get rid of my load leaves. I have the OE length Bilstein shocks.
I'm thinking of getting a set of either the Calmini or SLR AALs to raise the rear up enough to compensate for the raising of the shock mount so I can retain my OE length Bilsteins. Is this a sound idea, or would it be better to go with 1" or maybe 2" lift shackles instead?

Brent

[Schludwiller]

Get the SLR AAL's. Our club has been having problems with the Calmni leafs. The SLR ones have given the best performance of the three (Rancho, Calmini & SLR).

I believe RdStarr has both the SLR's and Leaf skids. You might ask him how his are working out.

[ChuckH]

Definately go with the SLR AAL's. They're easier to install than the Calmini AAL's AND they are a more complete setup. Rrdstarr does have the SLR packs and the Skidderz with Bilstien extended length shocks. The shocks are too long so he is going to have to get stock length Bilstiens. So, that should answer your question.

[rrdstarr]

Originally posted by ChuckH
Definately go with the SLR AAL's. They're easier to install than the Calmini AAL's AND they are a more complete setup. Rrdstarr does have the SLR packs and the Skidderz with Bilstien extended length shocks. The shocks are too long so he is going to have to get stock length Bilstiens. So, that should answer your question.

Yeah! What he said!

[OffroadX]

RR, did you keep your load leafs with the SLR AALs?

Brent

[rrdstarr]

Brent, no since I don't tow anything. I also had to swap Bilstiens to the stock length instead of the +2" I had.
-Rick

[OffroadX]

OK, that's the config I'll be running as well. Thanks!

Brent

[DeFibVT]

So let me get this straight. If I get the skidderz for the rear shocks I will have to change out my extra length shocks to OE length bilsteins.

Right now I am running SLR AAL's and extra length bilsteins.

[rrdstarr]

Originally posted by DeFibVT
So let me get this straight. If I get the skidderz for the rear shocks I will have to change out my extra length shocks to OE length bilsteins.

Right now I am running SLR AAL's and extra length bilsteins.

That is what I did!

[OffroadX]

Might be able to slap in a pair of SLR lift shackles to compensate...

Brent