Lumpskie's 1989 Grand Wagoneer Build

I'm not sure what's going on, but I don't seem to be able to post anything without moderator approval. I'll try posting the pic directly to the forum later, seems to be something with Google photos.
 
lumpskie said:
Wow, it's crazy how much heavier the new airstreams have gotten. It almost makes me want to by an older 23' (maybe from the 80s) and remodel the interior to my more modern taste. Yours looks like a really nice setup.
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That's the way to go imo, they're very easy to work on and actually quite cheap to fix up - figure the square footage is about equal to a small room or large closet and flooring, paint etc. are all cheap even for really nice stuff. We went with a modern wood-look vinyl tile floating floor and crackle (aged look) paint inside and only spent a couple hundred dollars. Luckily the bones were in very good shape so other than converting a bunch of the old copper plumbing to pex, it wasn't too much work and not very expensive. Appliances can get expensive, but scouring CL can turn them up. We found an almost new rv fridge for a few hundred bucks (they're around a grand new) to replace the one in there that had failed.

I used to be a tent only snob, but now prefer the camper. We still spend most of the time outside of it so the experience is essentially the same, but it's really nice when the weather is bad or when it's time to sleep. We can also camp pretty much year round in VA as with the single electrical heater it's good down to around 25 degrees. With two heaters we were comfortable even when the temp dropped to around 18 degrees, but at that point you're not doing much other than hanging out in the camper during the day, which isn't really why we go.
 
So, dont know if you've made and decisions or changes yet but here's my experience with the rear.

I kinda had the same issue. Rear always looked a little low, and it also always dropped about an inch when I put my popup on the hitch (thing weighs like 1200 lbs...). It would be pretty bouncy when towing the trailer and when i hit dips on the highway it would rub the tires.

So. I just went and got a set of Monroe's "load adjusting" coilover type shocks. Since my setup is a custom mash up of different axles and shock mounts from different years combined with a lift, i simply measured the extended and compressed lengths of the shocks and the room for them, and ordered based on that. At like $100 bucks for the pair I figured i'd try it. They state the shocks add like 1200 or 1400 lbs to the spring rate. My truck already road like crap so i figured whatever.

Well, it ended up lifting the rear dang near an inch when I installed them, and when I hook up the camper it only settles about half an inch now. I don't really notice any real degradation in the ride, but then again it doesn't ride all that well to begin with. No more rubbing on the highway when i hit dips with the camper, but I also put on more narrow wheels at the same time.

during install, neded to have my buddy weld custom mounts to the axle to replicate the original 1973 style and location


Only pic i have of them bolted up:



still flexes:


Anyway, I was so pleased with the results that I recently installed a pair on my dakota to get about 1/2"-3/4" lift in the back as well when I cranked up the front torsion bars. Same results with the popup attached. Less settling.
 
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Dr. Marneaus said:
So, dont know if you've made and decisions or changes yet but here's my experience with the rear.

I kinda had the same issue. Rear always looked a little low, and it also always dropped about an inch when I put my popup on the hitch (thing weighs like 1200 lbs...). It would be pretty bouncy when towing the trailer and when i hit dips on the highway it would rub the tires.

still flexes:


Anyway, I was so pleased with the results that I recently installed a pair on my dakota to get about 1/2"-3/4" lift in the back as well when I cranked up the front torsion bars. Same results with the popup attached. Less settling.
Click to expand...


Hey Doc:

I've got to say, I'm impressed with how well your rig flexes with those overload shocks on there. My concern with that setup for my rig is that my rear spring rate feels about right to me and I don't want to loose any flex. I just want a little more height, partially for aesthetics and partially for if I buy an Airstream. I'm just concerned that I'd loose ride quality and flex by stiffening up the entire range of motion. Right now, I'm considering putting my stock overload springs in. They would only stiffen the ride for a part of the range of motion. Or I could cut them down and the would only act as a spacer. Can you guys think of a drawback to doing that?
 
Have you considered finding a small add-a-leaf? If you keep it short, it will add a small amount of height and only really become relevent as the vehicle squats more. Otherwise, cutting the overload down to use as a spacer block is an acceptable solution. Also; I would just cut the centre pin. You should replace it when you take the pack apart anyway.
 
lumpskie said:
Hey Doc:

I've got to say, I'm impressed with how well your rig flexes with those overload shocks on there. My concern with that setup for my rig is that my rear spring rate feels about right to me and I don't want to loose any flex. I just want a little more height, partially for aesthetics and partially for if I buy an Airstream. I'm just concerned that I'd loose ride quality and flex by stiffening up the entire range of motion. Right now, I'm considering putting my stock overload springs in. They would only stiffen the ride for a part of the range of motion. Or I could cut them down and the would only act as a spacer. Can you guys think of a drawback to doing that?
Click to expand...

I don't see an issue with that. Are you worried about the rake or the height in general? If you get a weight distributing hitch, the front and rear will both carry the load so the whole vehicle will lower a little but maintain the same (or close) rake. You won't be doing any off-roading towing (unless you're really brave and don't care about the trailer) so the slightly reduced ride height shouldn't matter.
 
What about an air bag to level the truck when towing?

Also: are you going to Moab at the end of March? I saw you chime in on the thread on FSJN. I'll be there with Brutus.

And I thought I spotted you yesterday. A Jeep VERY similar to yours was parked in the King Soopers parking lot across from Arapahoe High School. But I think it had some rust spots on the passenger side lower door corners.
 
Thanks for the feedback, guys. I think I'll turn my overloads into "semi spacers" and make them a little longer than standard so that they are engaged by the u bolts. Right now, I've got 300 lbs of wood flooring in the back of the waggy and it squatted about .5", leaving the rear .25" higher than the front. With a 500lb load, I bet I would sit even or just a little low in the rear. I think the spring rate is good but .5" of height would be perfect.

ExplorerTom said:
What about an air bag to level the truck when towing?

Also: are you going to Moab at the end of March? I saw you chime in on the thread on FSJN. I'll be there with Brutus.

And I thought I spotted you yesterday. A Jeep VERY similar to yours was parked in the King Soopers parking lot across from Arapahoe High School. But I think it had some rust spots on the passenger side lower door corners.
Click to expand...

Hmmm... I don't think that was Wifey or I. Now that we took care of the front rust spot, there's not visible rust on the Waggy. There's another one in town, though. I have friends wave at that guy and ask me why I didn't wave back!

BTW: I saw you in your Explorer today. You were turning from Waterton onto Rampart Range road. If you saw a guy in an Evo 9 gawking at you... it was me!
 
homebrwd said:
Awesome looking waggy, especially love the wood paneling. I'll be subscribing to this thread!
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Hi homebrwd, welcome aboard! I'm with you, the wood paneling has grown on me and it's one of my favorite features on the Waggy now. Maybe because it's so different from more "modern" design on newer cars.
 
lumpskie said:
BTW: I saw you in your Explorer today. You were turning from Waterton onto Rampart Range road. If you saw a guy in an Evo 9 gawking at you... it was me!
Click to expand...

It's silver, right? I do remember seeing you. I was just headed home after its weekly "drive it to work". Normally I'm in my Expedition.
 
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