NPR 4wd conversion and camper build thread.
- Thread starter javajoe79
- Start date
Do you know what length shock you will be running or how much wheel travel you are expecting?
I was quite surprised to see a 4Runner last weekend with a 12" shock and 28" of articulation. While you certainly don't need this on a camper or expo rig, it sure makes getting into the back country easier and more comfortable (read: further away from the Yuppies and Yayhoos, hopefully)
I was quite surprised to see a 4Runner last weekend with a 12" shock and 28" of articulation. While you certainly don't need this on a camper or expo rig, it sure makes getting into the back country easier and more comfortable (read: further away from the Yuppies and Yayhoos, hopefully)
javajoe79
Fabricator
I'll have around 10" of travel per corner. The shocks have a bit more travel than that. Planning on limiting straps in the back so the shocks don't become the limiters. I feel like that's a good amount of travel. In the future though I may go for more but for now I'm trying to keep it simple and get it road worthy.
javajoe79
Fabricator
Just finished the other upper perch and both lower perches. Shock mounts and panhard bar come next and I will have a complete rear suspension. With the springs I chose, 565lb/in, They compressed half an inch as they sit with pretty much nothing mounted on the back of the frame yet. Target ride height is about 4.5" below where it is now so that means if I add 5000lbs I will end up at my target ride height, if I add more I can add spacers to raise the ride height, order taller springs, order stiffer springs or lower the upper spring perches by drilling another set of bolt holes. I have a feeling that I am going to be good as is. I don't plan on being too heavy but we'll see.
Czechsix
Watching you from a ridge
Looks like there's going to be a ton of leverage working on those lower spring mounts. Did you think about doing a dead center mount on top of the axle? I think it would be much more robust, as far as the upper mounts you'd have to raise them, but you're doing a custom camper, so you can design plenty of room in there for the upper mounts....
Coil suspension should be awesome, this'll be a nice ride once you're done.
Coil suspension should be awesome, this'll be a nice ride once you're done.
javajoe79
Fabricator
I'm not totally done with the lower perches actually. I am going to brace them up to the 4 link brackets. I agree, I would have liked the springs on top of the axle but I am limited on overhead height there as I am trying to keep the front top edge of the camper box about even with the cab roofline. That leaves me with about 3" of room above the frame rail for the upper perches. Plus the 4 link brackets are in the way too. I am looking forward to driving it. I may have to strap some dead weight to it to simulate the weight of the camper etc... once I get it road worthy.
javajoe79
Fabricator
Rear shock mounts are mostly done. Final welding and additional bracing to the lower spring perches will tie it all together. I was forced to tilt the shocks over backwards because I will be limited on overhead space once the camper box is mounted. This thing won't be fast so I think I'll be good. I have some ideas for adding additional shocks if needed in the future. These Rancho RS9000XL shocks are built pretty impressively not to mention very affordable. I'll have the same shocks up front too so I can minimize the spare parts I have to carry.
JohnRogers
Observer
You gain more travel for same shock length but lose effective dampening due to angle of operation creating greater leverage
javajoe79
Fabricator
yup
javajoe79
Fabricator
I've completed the rear suspension at this point. Next I am redoing the ugly and scary front leaf spring mounts and installing a U bolt flip kit. I will also be incorporating the shock mounts into the upper U bolt plates and modifying the stock NPR shock towers to accept the rancho shocks.
The pics show the rear suspension at near maximum ride height as there is no weight on the chassis yet.
The pics show the rear suspension at near maximum ride height as there is no weight on the chassis yet.
javajoe79
Fabricator
Recently I finished the leaf spring mounts and U bolt flip install. I reinstalled the axle to mock up the shocks and build shock mounts and limit strap brackets, then I will take it back apart to finish weld and paint it all. I also got a rear driveshaft made. It's starting to look like I might drive this thing this spring.
