So I got bored and decided to install my spring kit this past weekend. (I was going to wait until I had my front end rebuilt, but who knows when that’s gonna happen)
The spring compressor I bought off eBay worked like a charm to make the install a breeze, with one minor glitch. After setting the preload on the front shocks to 3”, the clamp on the compressor would not fit the Shock properly to be able to close. Simple work around was to remove the hinge collar, and ratchet strap it to the back part of the clamp. Worked great, as you don’t need a lot of pressure to compact the spring. (Honestly, you could install the new springs with just ratchet straps.)
![1648]()
![1649]()
So a few things that I noticed right away. The front springs are much longer then the factory ones. Especially the “soft” top spring.
![1650]()
As well as being longer, they are a much heavier spring.
I followed ST recommendations for 3” on the preload, and 8-1/4” on the crossover rings. When the front was done, I ended up being too high (ride height needs to be 15”) as I came in at 16 1/2”. So I needed to remove the shocks and adjust the settings. Now it sits perfect. (Fully loaded)
The rears on the other hand, were shorter then the factory ones, but way beefier.
![1651]()
ST gives you a new divider and spring perch to use on the rears. The divider is narrower on the main spring side, because they went with a tighter wrap on the coils. And the perch is taller to make up for the shorter spring.
Again, I followed ST recommended settings on the rear at 6 1/2” for preload, and 10 3/4” on the crossover rings. When done, I ended up at 13” (fully loaded) with those settings, and needed to be at 14 1/2” ride height. So off they came, and did the adjustments. Now it sits perfect.
The crossover rings on both the front and rears needed to be set again after everything was put back together and test drove to settle the suspension. They recommended 1” to 1 1/2” for the front, (mine came in at 2”) and 2” for the rears. (Mine were at 1”)
When I was putting the rear shocks back together with the new springs, I was scratching my head at how little movement of the coil was needed to install the perch. The whole thing seemed a little loose when reassembled. (I thought maybe they sent me the wrong springs) But when you do all your final adjustments for ride heights, that’s when everything comes together perfectly.
I’ll update my thoughts on ride quality at a later date, as it’s a little nippy to hit the trails right now.
The spring compressor I bought off eBay worked like a charm to make the install a breeze, with one minor glitch. After setting the preload on the front shocks to 3”, the clamp on the compressor would not fit the Shock properly to be able to close. Simple work around was to remove the hinge collar, and ratchet strap it to the back part of the clamp. Worked great, as you don’t need a lot of pressure to compact the spring. (Honestly, you could install the new springs with just ratchet straps.)
So a few things that I noticed right away. The front springs are much longer then the factory ones. Especially the “soft” top spring.
As well as being longer, they are a much heavier spring.
I followed ST recommendations for 3” on the preload, and 8-1/4” on the crossover rings. When the front was done, I ended up being too high (ride height needs to be 15”) as I came in at 16 1/2”. So I needed to remove the shocks and adjust the settings. Now it sits perfect. (Fully loaded)
The rears on the other hand, were shorter then the factory ones, but way beefier.
ST gives you a new divider and spring perch to use on the rears. The divider is narrower on the main spring side, because they went with a tighter wrap on the coils. And the perch is taller to make up for the shorter spring.
Again, I followed ST recommended settings on the rear at 6 1/2” for preload, and 10 3/4” on the crossover rings. When done, I ended up at 13” (fully loaded) with those settings, and needed to be at 14 1/2” ride height. So off they came, and did the adjustments. Now it sits perfect.
The crossover rings on both the front and rears needed to be set again after everything was put back together and test drove to settle the suspension. They recommended 1” to 1 1/2” for the front, (mine came in at 2”) and 2” for the rears. (Mine were at 1”)
When I was putting the rear shocks back together with the new springs, I was scratching my head at how little movement of the coil was needed to install the perch. The whole thing seemed a little loose when reassembled. (I thought maybe they sent me the wrong springs) But when you do all your final adjustments for ride heights, that’s when everything comes together perfectly.
I’ll update my thoughts on ride quality at a later date, as it’s a little nippy to hit the trails right now.
) so it should be a pretty good comparison for me.
