How to get rid of a Saggy Rear???

[RamRod]

Hey guys!

Thought I would make a separate thread outside of my build thread as others might have similar questions.

Here is the question:

How can I get "fix" my saggy rear? Normally I would start with some squats, dead lifts and running on the tread mill at the gym.... but this is not for me, its for my T!!

I am in the process of moving my full sized spare onto a rear tire swing out on my new Thord Parts bumper and all that new weight back there has dropped me down about two inches or more.

So the way I look at it I can either get some 2'' extended shackles and the high clearance leaf spring mounts off of one of the members if this forum or I could do a SOA swap out back... both would cost about the same in materials... just the SOA requires some cutting and welding...

Would like to hear some opinions of some of the members on here before I make a choice, or over look one!

Thanks

 

[frumaker]

I did a tough country add a leaf and gained 2"


FRU

 

[4speedfunk]

The SOA by itself will probably yield too much lift, and you might want to get the front half of a Rancho to compensate. Extended shackles have their own issues as well. I think some ebay add-a-leafs or Speedy's full-size add-a-leaf would be the best fix. You might also check-out an airbag kit (gfbh3t runs them) . One thing for sure...we've all been there. No shortage of saggy-butt H3's. Many ways to improve things back there...all depends on how easy/cheap you're looking for.

Lets see that gate!

 

[06 H3]

The rancho leaves cant hold up a 10 lb baby without sagging. I would do a SOA and then you still have the stock springs which arent really meant for the extra weight but what can solve it is the chevy main spring mod that bebe did. It will give you the additional rate to hold extra weight, pair that with the SOA you will have a great riding, best axle clearance offroad/on road setup.

 

[06 H3]

The SOA by itself will probably yield too much lift, and you might want to get the front half of a Rancho to compensate. Extended shackles have their own issues as well. I think some ebay add-a-leafs or Speedy's full-size add-a-leaf would be the best fix. You might also check-out an airbag kit (gfbh3t runs them) . One thing for sure...we've all been there. No shortage of saggy-butt H3's. Many ways to improve things back there...all depends on how easy/cheap you're looking for.

Lets see that gate!

Guess we posted up at the same time...my post is exactly what 4speed said.

Btw he already is rancho lifted, with 37s to boot!

 

[alrock]

The Speedy/Bebe full length add a leaf is the direction I'm planning on heading at some point.

 

[RamRod]

Guess we posted up at the same time...my post is exactly what 4speed said.

Btw he already is rancho lifted, with 37s to boot!

That's right I forgot to mention that I already have a 4'' Rancho lift and 37's

I am leaning towards doing a SOA, but scared of cutting into the T!!

I remember looking up the Bebe SOA, but I remember there not being complete info (Or I didn't fully figure it out, I'll take another look).

One problem that I can see myself having is that I only have the Rancho Set of leafs, not the OEM as my truck already came with the Rancho Setup...


Can one of you that has already done an SOA just bring your arse up to Canada and help me with the mod for a case of Beer!!!

 

[4speedfunk]

If you've already got a Rancho on the front...I would totally recommend the SOA. But like you say, you will probably want to re-install your stock leafs. FWIW, stock leafs are fairly cheap.

 

[06 H3]

I've got a set of T springs sitting around

 

[RamRod]

I've got a set of T springs sitting around

The shipping is what might kill it for me, but I'll check around locally first....

I looked through a few threads, I am thinking that this is too far over my head, I might just get in touch with a local shop and see how much he'll do it for, as I feel I am in way over my head..

 

[benlaud87]

I'm trying to find a shop to do a SOA conversion for me around where I live but there aren't many 4x4 shops I can find. I currently have airbags to fix the saggy rear and have had no issues with them. They don't leak, they lift the rear where it should be, and provide a cushion for the lousy highways of the east coast.

 

[jakesz28]

Any leaf spring shop can add a second full leaf spring with new u-bolts for around $300. Just explain you want to add another full leaf right under the main. Even if you do a spring over I would add a new full leaf.

 

[06 H3]

I agree with jake 100% I think all H3s should have the 2nd main leaf to help support the weight we have. Doing a spring over with stock springs doesnt mean they wont sag, they will sag anyways. Its just that now you have the lift you want so you dont care about the sagging spring.

I plan to take my packs out this summer, put in new bushings and a 2nd main leaf.

 

[RamRod]

Would the second main leaf be the same as the existing main leaf??

 

[jakesz28]

Not really. The main leaf by design or specs is to soft for the weight of the h3. They tend to bend the wrong way tight at the current second leaf. Any spring shop has an assortment of springs that they can arch to match. You have a couple options if you don't have a local spring shop. If you purchased h3 main leafs you can cut the bushing spirals off. Or you can purchase the second or main spring for a 1500 or 2500 series truck and cut them to fit. The trucks have a longer eye to eye measurement. But will be easier to find on eBay or the scrap yards. The arch will be real close but may have a slightly heavier weight rating. Which is a benefit for us. I'm glad I had the full length second leaf added.

 

[RamRod]

Okay I found a local 4x4 shop that is able to do the work for me, and I am able to order in the parts that I want on and he'll just burn them in place. This guy has a great rep in the local 4X4 community and has even built trucks to compete in KOH (one for his team, one for another local guy).

He figures it would take about 4 hours at $100/h to get it intalled.. I think it's worth it since I am too chicken $hit to cut into my T!

So now I am going to start ordering parts from Ruff Stuff, I heard they are good to deal with and have seen there stuff on quite a few different builds.

I just want to make sure I order the right stuff, so in a bit I will post what I think I need and let you guys confirm or wack me on the head and tell me that I am wrong!

Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[RamRod]

Shock mount (x2):http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/SBRKT-3.html
Leaf Perch (x2):http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/25-PERCH.html
Leaf Hanger (x2): http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/63FLSH.html
Bolt plates: (x2): http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/25GM-UPLT.html

Does that all look right? Am I missing anything??

 

[RamRod]

Oh and I almost forgot:

U-Bolt (x4): http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/merchant.mvc?

Which brings the parts total to $332.20 +S&H... so about $700-800 to get the SOA done... Worth it?

 

[06 H3]

Worth it 100% clearance gain at the hanger is 5.5in and much more down travel.

Some of those parts are wrong I have on my thread all the parts I used but can post the here later. Just got to work...ill do it when I get home

 

[RamRod]

haha Aww crap! okay thanks! I Will look through your squeaky build thread when I get home as well if you don't have it posted up on here, thought I would get things ordered up now so this can get done sooner rather than later!

Its too bad I am too scared to cut and weld on my T! would save me $500!

 

[RamRod]

Couldn't find your parts list, could you post them up.

I just realized one thing today, I am going to have to take a bunch of measurements, as I might not be able to fit into my parking stall at work, might lift me up too high!

I will take a look and see! I sure hope that's not the case!

 

[RamRod]

Lets see that gate!

I ended up opting for the swing out rather than a gate just due to the simplicity of a swingout:

I am happy with how it turned out now just need to get the latch working the way I want!

 

[4speedfunk]

If you're already running a Rancho lift, the SOA w/stock leafs should put you just about perfect (just enough to correct the sag)...so you should still fit into your stall. I assume you're going to use stock GM leafs? If you plan to run the Rancho leafs AND the SOA...you'll be way too high.

The critical thing to get right on the SOA parts list is the diameter of the tubes and the U-bolts. They make a bunch of different sizes. Don't forget extended brake lines (you only need the ones at the pumpkin). Take that brake line extension (installed with your Rancho) off the differential and put the rigid lines back where GM had em. Then install longer flexible lines. You'll probably be okay with your Rancho shocks. Might want to cut and lengthen your sway-bar links as well. Hmmmm. I think thats about it. $700 is a pretty fair price.

IMO...the SOA is one of the best mods you can do to the H3. You see a dramatic improvement in rear flex. Awake the beast!

 

[RamRod]

Right I forgot that I would have to switch back to the stock leafs when doing a SOA, makes sense now, I was thinking that I would end up way too high using the Rancho springs!

What would be the ideal shock length if the Racho's are not perfect for the job?

Thanks for the insight!

 

[06 H3]

I recommend the spring over for everyone. No downsides...cheap as hell if you do it yourself. Best bang for the buck mod on the planet for the H3.