h1 suspension mod

[ronb]

hi all,

thought I'd post a little about the suspension mod I've been thinking about for the past few years. I finally grew some stones and did it.

Let me begin by saying that the h1 is an excellent offroad machine. In it's stock configuration it'll take you over 85% of whatever you want in relative comfort (compared to equally capable vehicles). It's that last 15% that one needs a few extra inches of clearance to battle the so-so break-over angle which plagues all long wheelbase vehicles.

I've been wanting a lift for a while but was dreading the possibility of the stiffer ride and the clearance/cg issues of having a taller truck (though if this ends up being crap I'm giving Travis a call!).

About three years ago my mechanic Billy bagged his humvee. I've since lost contact with him, so I'm not sure if he ever finished his truck. That really got me thinking that this could be the solution I was looking for -- a smoother ride over rough terrain plus extra clearance when you needed it.

Here are the numbers...from the ground to:

front crossmember BEFORE -- 16.5" (ucp at 15")
front crossmember AFTER -- 21.25" (ucp at 19.75")
front of the rockers (behind front wheel) -- 21"
rear crossmember BEFORE -- 18.5"
rear crossmember AFTER -- 20.75"
bottom of bumper -- 26"

**looks like a max gain of 4.75" in the front, and about 2.75" in the rear (should be an easy mod to get the rear up another inch)

FYI I'm on 37" Irok radials and the above measurements were taken with the tires at 40 psi. I just measured my spare (a brand new Irok) at 36.5".

enough of my yappin' -- here's some pictures:
1 - bag vrs spring
2 - test fitting on a truck with no shoes
3 - pretty much done, the lowest setting
4 - the highest setting
5 - another angle of the high setting -- notice the front higher than the rear!

I'm still in the experimental phase and trying to figure out what works best for the truck without pushing it too far. For some reason I can't get the back to lift as much as the front...I'm sure I'll be working bugs out for a while.

I'd like to thank Billy Martin for giving me the idea, Mike Sabrese for spending alot of time helping me knot out the details, and the Psychos for listening to me whine about doing this someday. Now that it's "done" it seems the work has just begun!

ron b

[Ric]

I'm sure the ride is so much smoother now, but I would be concerned with the drive angles of your half shafts now.

Mega clearance now!!!
Looks great!!!

[PhilD]

I'm sure the ride is so much smoother now, but I would be concerned with the drive angles of your half shafts now.

They break at the drop of a hat anyway, so I doubt they could break any quicker

Mega clearance now!!!

X2 Looks great. I'll be interested in hearing on the durability of those bags aired up when wheelin'.

Very innovative stuff Ron

[Rich]

I like the dropped ghetto look in pic 3.

Wondering of you plan on carrying a spare air bag?

In theory this system should work great.

[Mark]

I'll be interested in hearing on the durability of those bags aired up when wheelin'.

Maybe Gator can pipe in hear about it. Not sure how much he knows about it but one of the trucks from his club that was at River Rock with us is bagged. Pretty cool being able to air up and down as needed.

[Rod]

Looks great, Ron.


Potentially goofy question: When you air up and lift, do the tires come closer together?

[Bellvis]

Looks great ronb! Cant wait to see it in action sometime.
I personally love that prerunner look in pic 5.

[PhilD]

Potentially goofy question: When you air up and lift, do the tires come closer together?

I would have thought so, by a small amount.

[ronb]

The tires angle in because of the tie rods (notice the down seting how the tires are angled out) -- if I went a little higher I think the balljoints might come into play. I'm not bothered by these angles because they are only .5" to 1" lower than the droop/extension set by the factory (they can go a bit farther as well).

It won't be driven at the top height, that's only for the occasional crazy obstacle or for getting out of a pickle (notice the limit straps to keep from going too far). I will always be at the stock height on the road, maybe an inch or two up for offroad saving the last few inches for trouble. FYI, Rubberduck's suspension lift kit (nice btw...if this ends up sucking, that's what I'll get!) raises the belly up 2" to 2.5" over the stock height of 16.5" to 17" (ground to crossmember). The shafts will be fine, especially since I'm sticking with the stock size tires (for now). Going with bigger/heavier tires combined with doing something stupid while all the way up and turning sharp will probably break a cv. Let's hope I keep my wits about me and not do that...been lucky so far with a lighter truck and a lighter right foot.

As far as the durability of the bags, they are 600 psi bags and I'm under 200 psi all the way up. At the highest setting they are rated for about 5000 lbs each. They are supposedly like a tire sidewall. I carry an extra bag incase I puncture one, but I think that would be unlikely unless I'm racing through cactus. But one never knows.

If for some reason it doesn't work out as well as planned, I can alway put all the stock stuff back on -- I'll attach a picture of what came off plus a shot of John Griffin and Mike Sabrese in their truck with a bit more droop than me and doing fine! Bear in mind I'm not going 80mph through Baja, I'm going 2 to 5 mph climbing rocks and hills.

Thanks for the feedback, keep the questions/observations coming. Like I said it's a work in progress and many bugs will have to be worked out. Maybe you'll think of someting I missed?

I've driven all over testing different heights and figuring out the gauges. I did Rower on Sat as an easy first test and it did fine. I think I might try John Bull this weekend. So far I love it...now I need the roll cage beefed up so my son can join me!

rb

[ronb]

I'll be interested in hearing on the durability of those bags aired up when wheelin'.

Maybe Gator can pipe in hear about it. Not sure how much he knows about it but one of the trucks from his club that was at River Rock with us is bagged. Pretty cool being able to air up and down as needed.

that is a bad arsed truck. Years ago I saw a pretty crazy jeep rock crawler with mog axles and airbags (got me thinking...hmmm). Offroad Unlimited started selling the Air-rock system a few years back (spent alot of time on the phone with their tech). The Scorpion has a pretty unique airbag set-up as well.

rb

[PhilD]

I'll be interested in hearing on the durability of those bags aired up when wheelin'.

Maybe Gator can pipe in hear about it. Not sure how much he knows about it but one of the trucks from his club that was at River Rock with us is bagged. Pretty cool being able to air up and down as needed.

I know people do it all the time. I'll just be interested in knowing how those bags do getting banged around by 8000+ lbs. I know they are used on very heavy trucks all the time with no problems, but they don't flex and stuff the same way we do off-road. I'm sure they will be fine, just interested.

[ronb]

I'll be interested as well...it's kinda goofy using the bags on independant suspension. I couldn't find a beefier bag that would fit as well so we'll see.

So far I'm pleased at how much better it handles on washboard roads. A lot easier on my back teeth!

I'll keep you posted

rb

[Aaron]

So how did you set the system up? Do you have 8 valves for FBSS adjustability, or did you use 4 for just front and back (like CTIS)? Do you have a compressor and air tank just for the bags or are you going to tie it into the CTIS? What size inlet do the bags have 3/8, or ½”? the reason I am asking is because I am in the middle of putting a system together for my hot rod.

[Mark]

... the reason I am asking is because I am in the middle of putting a system together for my hot rod.

So you have gotten back to it?

[ronb]

So how did you set the system up? Do you have 8 valves for FBSS adjustability, or did you use 4 for just front and back (like CTIS)? Do you have a compressor and air tank just for the bags or are you going to tie it into the CTIS? What size inlet do the bags have 3/8, or ½”? the reason I am asking is because I am in the middle of putting a system together for my hot rod.

I needed a separate system because the ctis compressor is muy slow and will only do about 60 to 70 psi. I put a 5 lb tank and 200 psi compressor in 2 years ago to run air tools and anticipating doing this mod (wish I could fit a 10 lb tank).

The bags have 3/8-16" mounting holes and 1/2" air inlets. Each bag is connected to it's own manual switch in the cab. I'm changing my 150psi gauges out for 200psi -- I need about 30 more psi than I thought I'd need to raise the truck all the way. Good luck on your project.

rb