BDS/Rancho Strut Question!

yourlostfriend · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:13 pm

I installed the BDS lift last weekend with Rancho Struts and the BDS Hydro Shocks in the Rear mainly because I couldn't get OME springs in time for my trip. I also did an extra rear Isolator and 2 Clevis spacers. The vehicle sat almost 3 inches higher, which was perfect. After 2 days of off roading and 1,000 miles of driving the suspension has settled to a little above 2 inches. Id like to get it back to that 3 inch height. I need some suggestions how to get there from here. I love the flex on these springs and the warrenty so ideally id like to keep them. Is it possible to work with daystar spacers if I were to grind them down to 1 inch to keep my cv angles in check? Will the new strut tower make that not possible? Im in the dark so Im open to any suggestions, the cheaper the better. And yes, I know I should have just waited and got the OME.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:26 pm

sell em and buy OME :wink:

, you can add a strut plate in the front and one more rear iso

yourlostfriend · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:36 pm

Is this a new strut mount or a plate that sits between it? The BDS kit replaces the old mount with a new one which I belive adds 1 inch of the lift. This is another reason I went BDS. Taller springs put more stress on the strut mounts and mine already had 75k on them already. I was going to have to get new ones anyway.

KJ kyle · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:54 pm

im not familiar with BDS's lift, but i beleive JSC was saying put an top plate spacer on, rustys makes one thats about a half inch as well as RRO.

and if i read your post correctly, your saying longer springs put stress on your strut so you got an OTT lift... well my friend, you just opened a can of worms

yourlostfriend · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:06 am

I just checked that out..I see how they work now.. this looks like a good option. This with one more clevis spacer might do the trick. Thank you.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:15 am

KJ kyle wrote:

im not familiar with BDS's lift, but i beleive JSC was saying put an top plate spacer on, rustys makes one thats about a half inch as well as RRO.

and if i read your post correctly, your saying longer springs put stress on your strut so you got an OTT lift... well my friend, you just opened a can of worms

Rustys top plate spacer are not 1/2 inch thick nor are RROs
Rustys will give you a half inch lift though RROs more than that but no longer available from what I understand or currently out of stock.
Also Rustys fit like crap, after 5 years they still do not know where to drill the holes :wink:

Another thing not sure with the BDS top mount but with stock you can use the RROs but with a Frankenlift ( Daystar top mount ) even the 1/4 inch Rustys is almost too thick to have enough threads to bolt up good. Yes we have tried almost every combination at my garage :wink:

taller springs put more stress on the strut mounts :?:

, well any of them would I think.
As far as needing to replace them mine have 123,000 on them over 80,000 lifted and no problems

but to your problem

How much clevis do you currently have ?
After it settled you have two inches of lift? I thought BDS gave you a little more than that?
Also if you would measure from the center of the wheel to the lower edge of the flare and let us know what it is. For comparison I am at 23 plus a little.

Tom

sidewayskj · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:45 am

Not that I am saying yours didn't settle an inch but I have a bds lift on the libby and haven't settled much at all and is still strong with no problems sorry to hear about your luck. Hope you get it figured out.

yourlostfriend · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:12 am

Ive added two conduit spacers in the front and 1 extra isolator in the rear. After settling it put me at 21.5 in the front and 22 in the rear from center. Id like to get it back to 23 where I was, it would give enough from for a 255/70/16. I assume I could Fab my own spacer plate if the rustys wont fit. Im a bit confused though, the sapcer sits inside the strut assemblyy or on top of the it?

yourlostfriend · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:12 am

Ive added two conduit spacers in the front and 1 extra isolator in the rear. After settling it put me at 21.5 in the front and 22 in the rear from center. Id like to get it back to 23 where I was, it would give enough from for a 255/70/16. I assume I could Fab my own spacer plate if the rustys wont fit. Im a bit confused though, the sapcer sits inside the strut assemblyy or on top of the it?

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:16 am

You are about the normal height of a 2.5 inch lift after it has settled in. Where mine is sitting is about the same height as JBAs 4 inch ,( i have some added extras that I am trying out) you can install a top plate ( sits between the body and the top of the strut, just drop the strut assembly down out, throw the plate on top and be good to go, assuming you have enough threads to install one and safley tighten it down. I can send you a pattern of the top plate by snail mail if you would like

You should have plenty of room to run 255-70s right now with no problems

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:18 pm

Tom, I am going to go ahead and let everyone know of our secret plan...

Tom has sent me the sketch already. "It's in the mail" as I type. When I get it, I will measure and draw it up in CAD. Then I have a buddy that owns a metal fab shop with a CNC laser cut machine. Going to see what he would charge to make these top spacers for me, and anyone else interested. Going to request 3/8 thick spacer plates which should give an additional 3/4" of lift. Basically the same amount that a 3 ring clevis lift gets you. I should have pricing within a week. I'll let you all know as soon as I find out.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:39 pm

long_tall_texan wrote:

Tom, I am going to go ahead and let everyone know of our secret plan...

Tom has sent me the sketch already. "It's in the mail" as I type. When I get it, I will measure and draw it up in CAD. Then I have a buddy that owns a metal fab shop with a CNC laser cut machine. Going to see what he would charge to make these top spacers for me, and anyone else interested. Going to request 3/8 thick spacer plates which should give an additional 3/4" of lift. Basically the same amount that a 3 ring clevis lift gets you. I should have pricing within a week. I'll let you all know as soon as I find out.

Well there goes our "secret plan " out the window, now the whole world knows :lol:

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2009 2:03 pm

But they only know part of the story. :wink:

Maybe we'll let 'em in on the rest later.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2009 2:11 pm

long_tall_texan wrote:

But they only know part of the story. :wink:

Maybe we'll let 'em in on the rest later.

True

KJ kyle · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2009 4:55 pm

sweet! i want one

yourlostfriend · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:38 pm

Thats awesome..thank you guys for helping me out with this. Ill wait to hear about these strut plates..AKA the secret plan which is no longer secret but might still be partially a secret to a select few. I like the idea of the plate instead of adding more clevis. Thanx again

BDS/Rancho Strut Question!

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