Rear lift/load considerations
Posted by blvkdlyfe@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 11 comments
For context in a couple months I'll be adding a Lone Peak camper to my 2025 Pro 4X. When on the road I'll also have a swing out hitch with bike rack and bike, fridge, food, camera gear, etc.
Will adding a medium leaf kit from dobinson and extended rear shocks benefit me with adding load to the bed, or would it be smarter just go with an add a leaf? I’m expecting a consistent load from anywhere between 400 to 700 pounds. I'm going for a 2inch spring lift in the front. Just trying to make up my mind on what to do in the rear. Thanks
CaptainHubble@reddit
Don’t know the brands. And haven’t added any data on them. „Medium“ is quite subjective. But just keep in mind shocks do nothing for ride height. They’re tuned to mass and desired behaviour. There is a reason why good shock manufacturer are asking for key specs of the car like weight, distribution, travel and in one cases even driving style.
When you put a lot of weight on your rear, you should go for stiffer springs so your standard ride height is kept and you still have some kind of travel. When you just put spacers there, to cheat back your ride height, your standard springs will stay in a constant sagged in state. And you compromise suspension travel. For explanation, picture two tiny coil springs with identical preload . One 10mm with 2mm spacer made a bit beefier (your front axle after lift). And one compressed to 6mm with a 6mm spacer (your rear on full load with larger spacers to compensate). There is much less travel left on the latter one.
That being said, for the front this might be fine. In my head I’m picturing most of your load being on the rear axle. Or even behind the rear axle, thus removing weight from the front.
blvkdlyfe@reddit (OP)
Haha thanks for all that breakdown. I probably will be fine I tend to overthink stuff like this. I'm going for a 2" lift front and rear so was mainly trying to figure out what type of lift to go with for the rear. For sure avoiding any spacer lifts.
CaptainHubble@reddit
I wrote all of this and only then saw what were even talking about here. So I decided to comment anyway.
What do you mean by „spring lift“ if not spacers? Maybe we’re naming things differently on the other side of the pond.
blvkdlyfe@reddit (OP)
All good, this is what I'm getting for the front lift: Z1 Lift Spring
Now I'm just trying to figure out the best option for the rear 2" lift. Whether that's a leaf kit, shackle, suspension, etc.
CaptainHubble@reddit
Ah, those are proper springs. Good.
About the rear… Don’t know your financial situation. But since I now know there isn’t that much weight, I would go with cheap shackles instead of whole new springs. Maybe a bit more than the 2“ front. To at least compensate the additional weight a bit.
But at „just“ 300kg I wouldn’t bother getting new leaf springs. It’s still in the workload range of that car.
Try it out. See how it behaves. And when it’s insufficient you can still get the full leaf kit. I doubt it tho. Unless you’re putting 150-200kg more of supplies and gear on the rear axle.
blvkdlyfe@reddit (OP)
Cool I reckon you're right there. My first truck and first time doing anything like this upgrade wise, so just want to make sure I do it right. I Appreciate the advice!
Naive_Adeptness6895@reddit
Airlift 1000 air bags in rear springs. $100 parts.
a_very_interesting@reddit
For a constant load these are less ideal. I’ve got airbags on my truck, but it sees inconsistent loads
a_very_interesting@reddit
2025 pro 4x what? Frontier?
blvkdlyfe@reddit (OP)
Yes Frontier.
a_very_interesting@reddit
Generally full replacement springs will ride better. I think the Dobinsons have more leaves than stock and better construction