RE: [ihc] Slight lift to older Travelall

["Mac @ TRIAD" <mac@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

## >> So I have to do more than just shackles. But what? My
## >> thoughts are: I don't
## >> want to add a plate/block spacer between the spring packs and
## >> the axles.
## >> That seems like "house of cards" construction. I don't mind
## >> adding leaves to
## >> the spring pack, to increase the height incrementally, and then the
## >> necessarily longer retaining clips and u-bolts. It seems like
## >> this would
## >> result in less rotation as it's at the center verses the
## >> (wrong) end of the
## >> leaf assembly only. But will this cause a stiffness that
## >> would endanger
## >> frame components? Or is my "heavy duty half ton" stout enough
## >> for this type
## >> of modification? I plan on installing cabinets, camping gear, heavier
## >> bumpers, winch, etc... So overall vehicle will be heavier,
## >> and ride quality
## >> therefore more or less unchanged, in spite of the stiffer
## >> suspension. But am
## >> I missing something?

i don't think you're missing anything.  i don't know how different the '67
model is from the '72 model that i have, so what i have to say may not help
any at all.  the PPO of my 1110 TravelAll changed the 5-lug 1110 suspension
and axles for the heavier 8-lug from a similar-year 1210.  this does not
seem to have adversely affected the frame or anything else.  the ride is
stiffer than other 1110 models that i've been exposed to, but not
unbearable.  i've subjected the truck to some pretty harsh treatment on
unpaved roads (unmaintained washed out badly deteriorated "roads") both here
in Fort Bliss and back in the mountains of CA before we came here.  the only
damage i've noted thus far is that the rear shock mounts on both sides have
broken three times.  other than that, i haven't seen any problems.

## >> I only want/need 2" or 3" inches of lift. On this year
## >> Travelall, what is
## >> the best way to achieve that without having to modify steering and
## >> differential geometry? I've heard of inverting diffs and changing out
## >> steering components to accommodate height, but I don't want
## >> to go there.
## >> What's the maximum drive shaft to differential angle supported by the
## >> u-joints without having to make such modifications?

unfortunately i don't have an answer on the driveshafts and U-joints.  this
truck gained about four inches over its previous height just from the
suspension change.  enough that it easily runs 33"x12.5" tires on 16.5"
wheels (these are what it came to us with) and has room for 34" tires with
no trouble (i could not find any of these in 16.5" when it was time to get
new tires), and 35" tires if i don't mind a little rubbing at the front of
the rear wheel wells during axle articulation.

anyway, i don't think you'll have any serious problems if you just upgrade
the suspension and gain some lift that way.  others may disagree, and i am
of course by no means an expert.  i can only tell you what i have that
works.  i hope this is helpful.

00Mac

---------------------------------------------------------------
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Krystof "Mac" MacBryghde
TyrGothi

http://master.triad.ath.cx/
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