New suspension components

[taquitos]

I got my front built with my spare set. I'm having a bit of hard time taking the eyelet off. I had plastic shock clamp and it didn't work. Ordered aluminum Fox shock clamp on Amazon. Arrived tomorrow, hoping that will help.

I even used a blow torch trying to heat/break the locktite and it didn't work. The bushing was surprisingly easy to remove/insert with a vice.

I have 1.5in spacer in stock wheels.

I’ll try and do a quick video on removing the eyelets next week. Once you get enough heat in it not a whole lot of torque is required to break it free. I’ve done it with both a map gas torch and a torch that threads onto a standard camp stove propane canister. The map gas one is much quicker.

 

[GAMike]

I’ll try and do a quick video on removing the eyelets next week. Once you get enough heat in it not a whole lot of torque is required to break it free. I’ve done it with both a map gas torch and a torch that threads onto a standard camp stove propane canister. The map gas one is much quicker.

That would be very helpful to see, as the unknown difficulty of doing the job is a hold up to purchasing.

 

[insangsong78]

Finally got it off.

I bought this aluminum shaft clamp.

https://a.co/d/2JxTL9A

And used a blow torch that I use for copper pipe soldering.. took a good minute to get it hot enough.

Enough to discolor the original eyelet.

 

[insangsong78]

With the new eyelet on. Red loctite

 

[taquitos]

With the new eyelet on. Red loctiteView attachment 485624

Nice, glad you got it sorted out! Pretty wild that it took so much heat to get to loosen that the ano started to fade. I've done a good number of these at this point and so far that's the most heat I've seen needed.

 

[insangsong78]

This is a brand new shock from Ford. not sure if that makes a difference that it didn't have any vibration go through it.

Hopefully I'll have time to put everything on when I get back from my trip I'll put everything on.

 

[taquitos]

This is a brand new shock from Ford. not sure if that makes a difference that it didn't have any vibration go through it.

Hopefully I'll have time to put everything on when I get back from my trip I'll put everything on.

Of the ones I’ve done, the brand new shocks have usually been easier funny enough. Worst one was a well used shock that had fine silt that had managed to get in the threads. Acted like additional thread locker.

 

[Rob O]

Just coming across this, and it sounds like the Index kit is pretty much exactly what I was looking for in order to go 37s on a 35 truck (and +12 17x9 wheels) without compromising too much in comfort or capability. If only I had known sooner! Alas, I have SDi top hats and the new Icon Overland rear springs awaiting install.

Sounds like the Index top hat set up is basically the same concept as SDi, with just a bit less "lift" ... so *functionally* they achieve the same goal, correct?

I made the choice on rear springs to both keep a bit of rear-bias rake (I often carry payload on long road trips, resulting in sag) and to account for day-to-day weight of my SmartCap and plus general cargo I pretty much always carry.

Given those parts (top hats + springs), what would I be missing from the Index kit I'd benefit from? Would the eyelets + rear springs be redundant, so to speak, and give too much lift? Or are they complimentary?

 

[taquitos]

Just coming across this, and it sounds like the Index kit is pretty much exactly what I was looking for in order to go 37s on a 35 truck (and +12 17x9 wheels) without compromising too much in comfort or capability. If only I had known sooner! Alas, I have SDi top hats and the new Icon Overland rear springs awaiting install.

Sounds like the Index top hat set up is basically the same concept as SDi, with just a bit less "lift" ... so *functionally* they achieve the same goal, correct?

I made the choice on rear springs to both keep a bit of rear-bias rake (I often carry payload on long road trips, resulting in sag) and to account for day-to-day weight of my SmartCap and plus general cargo I pretty much always carry.

Given those parts (top hats + springs), what would I be missing from the Index kit I'd benefit from? Would the eyelets + rear springs be redundant, so to speak, and give too much lift? Or are they complimentary?

You would be correct about the top hats. Functionally they do a very similar thing. The Index top hats have a fair bit less preload than the SDI ones. Both increase wheel clearance at full compression.

The eyelets and bump stop spacers themselves don’t apply any lift to the rear end. The purpose of the eyelets is to allow the shock to still use its full travel when a bump stop spacer is installed. So the eyelets and bump stop spacers would be the only bits you’d be missing so to speak.

 

[Rob O]

You would be correct about the top hats. Functionally they do a very similar thing. The Index top hats have a fair bit less preload than the SDI ones. Both increase wheel clearance at full compression.

The eyelets and bump stop spacers themselves don’t apply any lift to the rear end. The purpose of the eyelets is to allow the shock to still use its full travel when a bump stop spacer is installed. So the eyelets and bump stop spacers would be the only bits you’d be missing so to speak.

Cool ... thanks. So the rear Index components are complimentary with / can be used with taller springs and achieve their intended purpose (factory 35 shock travel)? Same benefits as using with OE (springs)? If so, I’m in.