1stSFG
FRF Addict
OK. I've been spending far to many hours in the couple of weeks reading and talking to people from a few companies that make them. This is my conclusion.
I think some of the leaf pack manufacturers really don't disclose enough information about what their selling. We as raptor owners have a wide range of uses for them.
Some of them sold in suspension "packages" are designed like any typical high performance modification. Which 99.9% of buyers don't know or understand. They are designed to not fail under "race" or "extreme" conditions. Like a race. Longevity? Not what they are designed for. And if this was conveyed from the beginning what do you thing the sales would be like?
That goes for those that don't do a great deal off the pavement and they still lose their arch. Again my hypothesis is substantiated.
They will stand up to X amount of "runs" or races and a tremendous amount of use,"except of course on those isolated occasions that have been written on in the forum". I think I read one time that someones pack failed.
So, what can you do to get the straight dope? Full transparency? It isn't easy. I really had a hard time getting most of the big guns to open up about anything. I had to try to lead them by putting words in their mouths. Oh they have a great deal to say, just not what I wanted to hear.
The bottom line is this. At least for me. My truck spends over half the time on wash board pot holed dirt roads. And I don't drive 20 down them. Yes, I know how to use power inertia as a brake and acceleration to dampen the uneven surfaces. (I raced motocross for several years as a kid) but I don't launch the truck. There is one railroad crossing that has about a 4-5' rise that I like to hit in the power band 2nd gear at about 40-45. It comes close to getting air but doesn't. That is my need. I want OE wear/longevity and I want to soak up the abuse the ass end takes on bad dirt roads. Just as important is maintaining the charmin soft characteristics on the keester.
I think most all of the builders can build that. Now getting that with 100% certainty is the scary thing. Especially with the "Rap tax" cost.
I really like talking to Pete at atlas. The first time. When I called him the second time with a question I got hung up on. Everyone has a bad day or moment. Considering I just found out I've got a carpenter ant infestation at me casa, funds are drying up quicker than a keg at the beach. The appeal of 1.2k delivered and another 200 for an SDHQ bump plate might work for me. I'm saving around five hunsky. Hey, he was the only guy that didn't have to be fed words.
I will add I didn't speak to anyone from WSI. I'm pretty sure they are making a replacement spring designed for long term and not ballistic short term life span. And that said, again, I'm sure they can ALL build anything you want....................
I think some of the leaf pack manufacturers really don't disclose enough information about what their selling. We as raptor owners have a wide range of uses for them.
Some of them sold in suspension "packages" are designed like any typical high performance modification. Which 99.9% of buyers don't know or understand. They are designed to not fail under "race" or "extreme" conditions. Like a race. Longevity? Not what they are designed for. And if this was conveyed from the beginning what do you thing the sales would be like?
That goes for those that don't do a great deal off the pavement and they still lose their arch. Again my hypothesis is substantiated.
They will stand up to X amount of "runs" or races and a tremendous amount of use,"except of course on those isolated occasions that have been written on in the forum". I think I read one time that someones pack failed.
So, what can you do to get the straight dope? Full transparency? It isn't easy. I really had a hard time getting most of the big guns to open up about anything. I had to try to lead them by putting words in their mouths. Oh they have a great deal to say, just not what I wanted to hear.
The bottom line is this. At least for me. My truck spends over half the time on wash board pot holed dirt roads. And I don't drive 20 down them. Yes, I know how to use power inertia as a brake and acceleration to dampen the uneven surfaces. (I raced motocross for several years as a kid) but I don't launch the truck. There is one railroad crossing that has about a 4-5' rise that I like to hit in the power band 2nd gear at about 40-45. It comes close to getting air but doesn't. That is my need. I want OE wear/longevity and I want to soak up the abuse the ass end takes on bad dirt roads. Just as important is maintaining the charmin soft characteristics on the keester.
I think most all of the builders can build that. Now getting that with 100% certainty is the scary thing. Especially with the "Rap tax" cost.
I really like talking to Pete at atlas. The first time. When I called him the second time with a question I got hung up on. Everyone has a bad day or moment. Considering I just found out I've got a carpenter ant infestation at me casa, funds are drying up quicker than a keg at the beach. The appeal of 1.2k delivered and another 200 for an SDHQ bump plate might work for me. I'm saving around five hunsky. Hey, he was the only guy that didn't have to be fed words.
I will add I didn't speak to anyone from WSI. I'm pretty sure they are making a replacement spring designed for long term and not ballistic short term life span. And that said, again, I'm sure they can ALL build anything you want....................
