RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed! More Pics!!!!

[rodent]

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed! More Pics!!!!

Quick question on the ball joints. Which way should they go?

On RPM's website, they install the balljoints underneath the control arms. Both upper and lower ball joints are on the bottom of the control arms as in this picture-

http://www.raceprovenmotors.com/coilovers.html

But on Ralph's picture, its above the control arm (not sure on the lower).

Which way should these really go???

 

[Black Knight]

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed! More Pics!!!!

I put the upper on top of the control arm ( same as Ralph's, same as stock ) and put the lower under the control arm ( same as stock ).

 

[rodent]

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed! More Pics!!!!

I put the upper on top of the control arm ( same as Ralph's, same as stock ) and put the lower under the control arm ( same as stock ).

My stock control arms are both underneath but they don't look like the stock ball joints since they have bolts holding them in and not rivets.

The RPM manual shows a picture of one underneath but I'm not sure if thats the lower or upper.

Thanks!

 

[loubotzz77]

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed! More Pics!!!!

where did u get those a arms???

 

[rodent]

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed! More Pics!!!!

where did u get those a arms???

???
Uhh.... All arms shown here are from RPM...

 

[ghettosled]

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed! More Pics!!!!

if i am not mistaken they both go underneath, but the ball joints Ralph is using are different then the ones in the top picture (RPM). So it may depend on the type or brand ball joint you are using. If i recall when it is installed wrong, the bolts are too short or the taper did not sit correctly. As long as the taper sits correctly into the spindle and there is ample clearance through the range of supsension travel, then it shouldnt really matter.

 

[rodent]

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed! More Pics!!!!

if i am not mistaken they both go underneath, but the ball joints Ralph is using are different then the ones in the top picture (RPM). So it may depend on the type or brand ball joint you are using. If i recall when it is installed wrong, the bolts are too short or the taper did not sit correctly. As long as the taper sits correctly into the spindle and there is ample clearance through the range of supsension travel, then it shouldnt really matter.

Thanks Mike!

My ball joints look similar to Ralph's so maybe I'll install them similar to his. I just wasn't sure and I didn't want to pull these ever again!

Doing this and LS1 brakes at the same time. Definitely time consuming!

BTW- You're coilover kit is awesome! Everything fits perfect.

 

[tywannabe]

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed! More Pics!!!!

I could be wrong but I think the upper ball joints go "on top" of the a-arm for saftey. If the 4 little 1/4-20 bolts fall out/fail/whatever the entire steering knuckle will be detached from the upper a-arm. If its on top it may come loose but can't get disconnected.

 

[George Blake]

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed! More Pics!!!!

I put my uppers on top. I have an old JS set though. Mike's are a little different.
It's also a little more user friendly when adjusting ride height if you flip those shocks over so the adjustment is on top. Much easier to get the wrench on them.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed!

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed!

The torsion bars held the weight before. I haven't done mine yet, but eventually I will fully weld the shock tower to the frame. The stock shock towers are spot welded.

How many people have done the coilover mod and welded the shock towers? or plan to?

Seems a popular mod but no real mention of the welding required. Am wondering if I am going to have to mess up my powder coated frame

Has anyone seen a problem with this or is it probably going to ge ok?

 

[George Blake]

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed!

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed!

How many people have done the coilover mod and welded the shock towers? or plan to?

Seems a popular mod but no real mention of the welding required. Am wondering if I am going to have to mess up my powder coated frame

Has anyone seen a problem with this or is it probably going to ge ok?

I drive mine every single day and haven't had a problem.

 

[jpalmer]

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed!

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed!

How many people have done the coilover mod and welded the shock towers? or plan to?

Seems a popular mod but no real mention of the welding required. Am wondering if I am going to have to mess up my powder coated frame

Has anyone seen a problem with this or is it probably going to ge ok?

i have personally tried to cut the surrounding material and grind the welds off and pried with a 10 ton porta-power. the front end is there to stay unless you hit something really hard. Back in the day there were a couple of class 7s trucks that ran stock frame with a cage on gusseted arms, but nothing to the mounting locations, steering yes, but not frame mounts for the upper or lower. Btw 7s is off-road racing,desert. these were 4x4's but there is no difference on the frames.

 

[mrweelr]

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed! More Pics!!!!

I have a couple Qs guys. I installed the RPM tubular control arms today and assembled the coil-overs. Need to know the following:

1. If I use the 2" spacers, will the front of the Sy be at stock level? If I leave them out, will it be slammed to the ground? I had it lowered 1" in the front before and I'd like it to keep it about that low. Using Belltech 3" drop leafs in the rear.

2. What's the correct assembly procedure for the coil-over shocks? I extended the shocks all the way out and hand-tightened everything down until the slack was gone, but I'm not sure how much further I'm supposed to tighten the adjustment ring after that. Does everything look OK in the pic below?

3. Am I supposed to grease the swivel bushings in the shock eyelets or just leave them dry?

4. What's the proper way to level the truck after setting it back on the ground?

I'll post pics of everything once the PowerPerformance ball joints arrive and get the install finished.

Appreciate the help guys.

 

[Mtn Z]

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed! More Pics!!!!

I have a couple Qs guys. I installed the RPM tubular control arms today and assembled the coil-overs. Need to know the following:

1. If I use the 2" spacers, will the front of the Sy be at stock level? If I leave them out, will it be slammed to the ground? I had it lowered 1" in the front before and I'd like it to keep it about that low. Using Belltech 3" drop leafs in the rear.

2. What's the correct assembly procedure for the coil-over shocks? I extended the shocks all the way out and hand-tightened everything down until the slack was gone, but I'm not sure how much further I'm supposed to tighten the adjustment ring after that. Does everything look OK in the pic below?

3. Am I supposed to grease the swivel bushings in the shock eyelets or just leave them dry?

4. What's the proper way to level the truck after setting it back on the ground?

I'll post pics of everything once the PowerPerformance ball joints arrive and get the install finished.

Appreciate the help guys.

It's a little bit lower than stock with the spacers, but it is a very doable height. Do not get rid of the spacers as that would be way too low. The pics look fine to me as long as everything is snugged up to the top. I left the eyelets dry and everything went together fine. As far as the level goes, I just made sure the adjustment rings were pretty close to the same on both sides before I put them in. Luckily I got it right the first time. It's not too hard really. Good luck! :tup:

Edit - You might have to open up the shock tower a little bit on the passenger side. It rubs the spring a little bit.

 

[mrweelr]

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed! More Pics!!!!

Thanks. I'll go ahead and try it with the 2" spacers first. If it sits to high, I'll switch to some 1" spacers. Yeah, I already cut the frame and spread the shock tower a bit on both sides. It's coming together very nicely. I'm just not sure how many turns I'm supposed to spin the ring after the slack is gone. I guess it depends how stiff one would want the truck to the ride?

 

[jpalmer]

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed! More Pics!!!!

the eyelets are teflon lined, and never need greased

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed! More Pics!!!!

I'm just not sure how many turns I'm supposed to spin the ring after the slack is gone. I guess it depends how stiff one would want the truck to the ride?

The tension of the spring determines the ride height. So adjust to your desired ride height.

After for letting it settle, I noticed my truck barely settles. To get it fully settled roll it forward a few feet. You can bounce the corner of the truck but it doesn't seem to do much for me.

 

[mrweelr]

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed! More Pics!!!!

Thanks guys. I'm just waiting for the balljoints to be delivered and then I can finish it up. Will drive it around a bit to settle the front end, measure/adjust height on both sides, and then take it in for an alignment

 

[jpalmer]

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed! More Pics!!!!

Btw it can get spring settle a couple months after driving it, so be prepared for that and possibly another alighnment. Take it to a place where they warrantee their work for a while, then the second alighnment is free

It prob wont settle more than 1/2" but that means you are lower than you wanted it to be

 

[STEVECUL8ER]

Re: RPM Front Coilover Set-Up Installed! More Pics!!!!

I just snugged mine up with a little tension,had the rear de arched 2 1/2". With the stock size rim and tire the front measurment from the ground to the bottom of the cladding is 26 1/2" and the back 26 7/8" on my SY. Have to stop at all speed bumps otherwise the tranny will hit. The ride is a little soft in back with the stock shock (have to find something else). But my back do bottom out on occasion but with the rear bump stops about 1 1/2" from the axle, I estimate the cladding to be 1" from the tire when the rear shock is compressed when the bump stop hits the axle.. Static height of rear 2 3/8" above the tire.The tranny crossmember will hit(not the tranny).