06 H3
a.k.a. "The Jackal"
- Messages
- 9,505
- Location
- Meridian, ID
I know we have this thread here http://www.hummer4x4offroad.com/forum/showthread.php?271-The-Rancho-Lift&highlight=rancho+lift but I want to put this out there in terms of some obstacles never mentioned that should be looked at with the rancho lift.
Everyone has talked about the basic cons on the rancho lift, backspaced wheels, more difficult to change the oil filter, PITA to change out the steering rack. One con mentioned but never really questioned was the lack of flex.
According to four wheeler, "In stock form, the 111.9-inch-wheelbase H3 traveled 50 inches up a 20-degree RTI ramp, logging a score of 447 points. After the installation of the kit, the H3 traveled 47 inches up the ramp, logging a score of 420 points. Naturally, this loss of travel raised some eyebrows. Rancho says this: "The leaf-spring package that we originally released for the H3 was not exactly what we were after given the extremely soft rate of the original equipment springs. At the time, it was the best available.
RTI Modified
The reason for the difference in the RTI scores is primarily due to a higher-rate leaf-spring package along with excessive jounce bumper interference. We have since tweaked the rear spring design and included an updated jounce bumper bracket to correct for and maximize ramp travel (articulation)." They also noted that they would be happy to supply the updated components to any readers who are not completely satisfied with their Rancho H3 suspension system."
Read more: http://www.fourwheeler.com/techarti...hummer_h3_lift_kit/viewall.html#ixzz2ANksCA5y
When I was researching about my rancho lift purchase I wanted to know why the hell this damn kit flexed less but I never really heard solutions on how to fix this. So I wanna help out others on the fence of doing this kit.
I personally see 1 issue with the front suspension and 1 with the rear on why it flexed less.
Rear: Rancho claims it was the spring pack...Why though?
Here you can actually see the leaf spring is longer when it shouldnt be. After looking at the picture below they wanted to go for a soft spring rate so it will ride nice. When I spoke to the guys at deaver they said the pack is too long. Even the deaver spring was the same length as the stock spring and gave more lift then the rancho spring. The length of the main leaf shouldnt of been adjusted at all IMO, it should have been the arch.
Now lets take a look at this picture above, the further the shackle is back the softer the rate is. Well the softer the rate the less it will hold the weight. Now you have the shackles naturally in a soft rate position its only gonna go further back. Next thing you know 208 lbs in the trunk will set your shackles like this.
Cya later up travel! You have no up travel now...you bottom out constantly and your actual shackle angle should be around here(next picture.)
Shackles in the correct place, with deavers and stock springs
So Rancho is correct, the rear leaves limit the flex. I am not sure if that new leaf pack ever came out though...Timgco may know that answer.
For the front: I have no issues with the front except the shocks. the rancho shocks in lifted and non lifted form have less travel then any other shock.
This is from bebe a long long time ago
Front Shock Comparison
Brand.........Extended Length......Compressed Length.......Travel
Rancho............15.77"............................13.43"................2.34"
OEM................15.0"..............................11.25"................3.75"
Fox.................16.0"..............................11.5"................. 4.5"
Bilstein............18.42"............................11.77"................6.65"
Ok, that took a long time LOL
I arranged the measurements to reflect travel from the least to the most.
When we started my H3 project, we removed everything so we could get an accurate travel measurement. Without the shocks, but with OEM bumpstops the H3 OEM suspension travels 4". Down travel is limited by a cast metal stop under your upper A-arm, up travel is limited by the rubber bump and the shock. (Sway bar factors in there too).
For the rancho lifted shocks the extended and compressed lengths are longer but still net 2inches of travel. Now I am not entirely sure of how the bumpstop extension brackets affect uptravel. If done correctly it will be the exact same as OEM, if longer it will limit uptravel or shorter it will allow more up travel. Down travel is still the same maxed out as the metal stop below the upper a arm is the limiter.
Solutions:
For the front I would say throw some longer shocks in and your good, use all 4inches of travel, we sure need it.
For the rear, there are several options. The most time consuming one is the spring over and so far its well worth it. Other then that I would say if a spring shop could rearch a stock spring and throw in an extra leaf you wont deal with the shackle hitting the frame and can get the lift necessary. You wont deal with low hanging leafs like I did especially with a set of lo pro mounts from tomp or schwarrtys design. Not sure how high arched springs affect travel though. Bebe may know that.
Overall I would do the lift kit all over again. I really hope Rancho never discontinues the lift kit for us as it is a great kit but can use some minor improvements. It gives the height you need for clearance and if you can solve the rear and switch shocks your in good shape!
Hope I brought a new aspect to the rancho lift review. Feel free to comment or correct me if anything was wrong or you think its wrong. These have been my findings but I am always up for criticism and education.
Everyone has talked about the basic cons on the rancho lift, backspaced wheels, more difficult to change the oil filter, PITA to change out the steering rack. One con mentioned but never really questioned was the lack of flex.
According to four wheeler, "In stock form, the 111.9-inch-wheelbase H3 traveled 50 inches up a 20-degree RTI ramp, logging a score of 447 points. After the installation of the kit, the H3 traveled 47 inches up the ramp, logging a score of 420 points. Naturally, this loss of travel raised some eyebrows. Rancho says this: "The leaf-spring package that we originally released for the H3 was not exactly what we were after given the extremely soft rate of the original equipment springs. At the time, it was the best available.
RTI ModifiedThe reason for the difference in the RTI scores is primarily due to a higher-rate leaf-spring package along with excessive jounce bumper interference. We have since tweaked the rear spring design and included an updated jounce bumper bracket to correct for and maximize ramp travel (articulation)." They also noted that they would be happy to supply the updated components to any readers who are not completely satisfied with their Rancho H3 suspension system."
Read more: http://www.fourwheeler.com/techarti...hummer_h3_lift_kit/viewall.html#ixzz2ANksCA5y
When I was researching about my rancho lift purchase I wanted to know why the hell this damn kit flexed less but I never really heard solutions on how to fix this. So I wanna help out others on the fence of doing this kit.
I personally see 1 issue with the front suspension and 1 with the rear on why it flexed less.
Rear: Rancho claims it was the spring pack...Why though?
Here you can actually see the leaf spring is longer when it shouldnt be. After looking at the picture below they wanted to go for a soft spring rate so it will ride nice. When I spoke to the guys at deaver they said the pack is too long. Even the deaver spring was the same length as the stock spring and gave more lift then the rancho spring. The length of the main leaf shouldnt of been adjusted at all IMO, it should have been the arch.
Now lets take a look at this picture above, the further the shackle is back the softer the rate is. Well the softer the rate the less it will hold the weight. Now you have the shackles naturally in a soft rate position its only gonna go further back. Next thing you know 208 lbs in the trunk will set your shackles like this.
Cya later up travel! You have no up travel now...you bottom out constantly and your actual shackle angle should be around here(next picture.)
Shackles in the correct place, with deavers and stock springs
So Rancho is correct, the rear leaves limit the flex. I am not sure if that new leaf pack ever came out though...Timgco may know that answer.
For the front: I have no issues with the front except the shocks. the rancho shocks in lifted and non lifted form have less travel then any other shock.
This is from bebe a long long time ago
Front Shock Comparison
Brand.........Extended Length......Compressed Length.......Travel
Rancho............15.77"............................13.43"................2.34"
OEM................15.0"..............................11.25"................3.75"
Fox.................16.0"..............................11.5"................. 4.5"
Bilstein............18.42"............................11.77"................6.65"
Ok, that took a long time LOL
I arranged the measurements to reflect travel from the least to the most.
When we started my H3 project, we removed everything so we could get an accurate travel measurement. Without the shocks, but with OEM bumpstops the H3 OEM suspension travels 4". Down travel is limited by a cast metal stop under your upper A-arm, up travel is limited by the rubber bump and the shock. (Sway bar factors in there too).
For the rancho lifted shocks the extended and compressed lengths are longer but still net 2inches of travel. Now I am not entirely sure of how the bumpstop extension brackets affect uptravel. If done correctly it will be the exact same as OEM, if longer it will limit uptravel or shorter it will allow more up travel. Down travel is still the same maxed out as the metal stop below the upper a arm is the limiter.
Solutions:
For the front I would say throw some longer shocks in and your good, use all 4inches of travel, we sure need it.
For the rear, there are several options. The most time consuming one is the spring over and so far its well worth it. Other then that I would say if a spring shop could rearch a stock spring and throw in an extra leaf you wont deal with the shackle hitting the frame and can get the lift necessary. You wont deal with low hanging leafs like I did especially with a set of lo pro mounts from tomp or schwarrtys design. Not sure how high arched springs affect travel though. Bebe may know that.
Overall I would do the lift kit all over again. I really hope Rancho never discontinues the lift kit for us as it is a great kit but can use some minor improvements. It gives the height you need for clearance and if you can solve the rear and switch shocks your in good shape!
Hope I brought a new aspect to the rancho lift review. Feel free to comment or correct me if anything was wrong or you think its wrong. These have been my findings but I am always up for criticism and education.
