Guess its time to start a build thread.

[SilverWagon05]

So I rarely have or take time to take pictures while doing any work or mods on my truck. I've never really felt that I had anything to post on a build thread. Today, a buddy of mine, (whose installing my new long arms) and I went for a quick ride to measure for new shocks for the front end. Here's a teaser pic of what's to come. My buddy's in the pic because he was holding in the coil, as it was falling out at this point. This is with my new Pure Performance long arms and Thuren 6" coils installed, with no shocks. For now, we're going to throw on some 35" long, 14" travel, Fox shocks he has laying around the shop. That's what it measured out at, just as the coil fell out. He's also going to weld in some retaining cups to help hold the coils in at their limit. What do you think so far? Sorry about the poor pic. It was just a quick shot during my lunch today. I'm going to start a mod thread soon also.

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[ldgregory]

Can't wait to see the finished product with closeups because it looks pretty wicked right now!

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[whitey]

I'm assuming you were measuring for shocks. I actually had a hard time finding shocks that met the compressed and extended lengths I wanted. I ended up getting thuren shock mounts that are slightly taller and limit straps to save wear on the shocks. It looks like its really going to flex well when you get it all put together. Can't wait to see it finished! And give us a front angle shot too so we can see the flex better.

[SilverWagon05]

Yes sir. We were measuring for shocks. We tried flexing it out with a forklift, but couldn't get it tweaked enough on level ground, so we took it out on some rocks during lunch. First impression without shocks, was very positive. The ride was obviously a little bouncy, but seems like its going to be very smooth. Previously I ran a 5" Pro Comp spacer above my stock coils and 1/2" longer Pro Comp control arms. I've had this setup for the last 6 years and it did very well for me, and would be more than adequate for most actual offroaders. I put it through more than I'm sure it was ever designed for. Now, I'm running Pure Performance's long arm upgrade and Thuren's 6" soft ride coils. With this setup, I'm sitting almost exactly at the same level as the 5" spacer with PW coils. This is exactly where I wanted it to be, as I didn't want to go any taller. The combination of approach, break over and departure that I have, is excellent. Hoping it will be wrapped up this evening and I can get some more pics soon.

[TwinStick]

VERY impressive. Can't wait to see the finished product. Use the flash in the shadows next time please, hard to see well.

QUESTION: are those Thuren 6" DIESEL softride coils---or are they HEMI softride coils ???

[RustyPW]

'bout time! Can't wait to see it finished.

[SilverWagon05]

6" diesel coils. I don't think Thuren makes a hemi coil. I don't know the actual specs, but Don did tell me that his coils have a softer spring rate than our factory PW coils. This, along with the fact that Don's coils are single rate and not progressive, are the reasons I went with his as opposed to anyone else's. With the very limited experience I've had with them so far, I am really liking them. I will give more, once I get some more seat time in the dirt and rocks with them.

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Looks like an interesting build thread. I look forward to seeing what all you do with the truck.

[AceMan]

I'm not fond with PP, but I'm curious how you will make out. It sounds like it will be a nice setup when done, especially getting away from spacers. Looking forward to more pics and results!

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[SilverWagon05]

I'm not fond with PP, but I'm curious how you will make out. It sounds like it will be a nice setup when done, especially getting away from spacers. Looking forward to more pics and results!

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I vaguely remember the whole PP situation. Rusty and I were talking about it in Moab this past spring. Was it you Ace, that got screwed over by them with that truck? I actually don't think I even read the thread about that at DT when it happened. I just heard a little about it from Rusty. I was torn about giving them my business after what I heard. After researching every long arm system I could find out there, it came down to either the PP kit or having my buddy fab one up. I know he would stand by his product forever, but I'm not going to be living where I am now, forever. Since PP has a lifetime warranty, which would follow me anywhere I end up and I felt their design best fit my needs, I went ahead and ordered the kit from George at 8Lug earlier this summer. The quality and design seem to be exceptional so far. My buddy who owns a fab shop here in Farmington, is doing the install for me. He likes BDS products, and this is actually the first PP product he's ever worked with. He has also been very impressed with it so far.

Around town, with just some short Fox 2.0 shocks that my buddy's letting me use for now, the ride is greatly improved over my old setup. I'm hoping to get a little bit of dirt time this week to wring it out a little. I won't be doing any major flexing, as these shocks are way too short to give the new springs and arms any workout at all. I will be focusing on ride performance and upward travel/compression, until I get new shock towers and shocks. Then we'll get serious.

Dependent on the new towers, I will be running shocks between a 33"-36" extended length and 12-14" stroke. The additional height of the new towers will determine the collapsed length I can accommodate under full compression. More than likely I will be going with Fox shocks once I know exactly what I can fit. I would like to get any feedback anyone has on shocks that they have run. I know there has been a ton of discussion about shocks, especially on DT, so if you don't want to say it again, I understand.

Once all limits are determined, I will be installing limit straps to help protect my investment also.