super technical bumpstop questions LOL

[Tacoma]

Yeeeah! So I need to get some bumpstops on the Blazer to keep the tire out of the rear inner fender. I have a 4" shackle flip and stock springs, currently on 35's and right now it stuffs the entire sidewall into the fender.

So. Maybe we could discuss this heretofore ignored topic.

1. Assuming you get a used lift kit like many of us do, and are missing any bumpstops that might have come with it, is there a GENERAL rule of thumb with bumpstops? Like, 4" lift gets 4" lower bumpstops? Or is it a flex-and-see kind of thing? I was thinking "flex and see"... flex to where it almost hits, measure, and allow a little more for the compression of the actual bumpstop. Am I far off?

2. When making snazzy new homebrew bumpstops, would it be better to match the angle to the axle at all? Factory stops would obviously be contacting the axle at quite an angle while articulating... I think maybe it is a good idea to make the stops angled... plus they'd be stronger, and that's never bad. Something simple, like a flat plate with some triangle gussets.

Discuss.

 

[ChestonScout]

Ive always done the flex and see method. Thats the only way your going to get the most articulation out of your suspension

 

[bryson]

X2 on the flex-and-see. Angled isn't a bad idea, but then you are in a similar situation when the axle compresses both sides at the same time (like when you are giving the Tooele County "Ms. Lethargy" a ride around the town,) your bumpstops would be contacting on an angle.

Maybe split the difference with the angle? Maybe mount the bumpstop on the axle, and just get creative with a pad mounted on the frame.

Or just stop giving the fatties a ride every time they ask.

 

[Greg]

IMO, the most important things to consider when setting up bumpstops on your axle is to set them up so they hit before your shocks bottom out and before your springs go into negative arch. The rest will depend on your specific situation.

Would wheels with more backspacing keep the tires away from the steel?

 

[Tacoma]

Thanks, so far... except for Bryson-- YOU can slap your face! LOL

Cheston: I agree
Bryson: I would agree, but I think the 14 bolt will actually hit the floor before both bumpstops get touched... I'll look.. at any rate, I can't imagine actually bottoming both sides without breaking something real bad-- but it's also something I hadn't considered. I like the idea of the angled pad.. and it's got to be moved due to the lift anyway, so that's not a bad idea. Thank you!
Greg: Wheels with MORE backspacing will bring the wheel farther into the inner fender... which is the problem to begin with. I think the current rims are either 3.5 or 4" and that's where I'm aiming to keep them... to keep the tires tucked in for legality, and keep bearings happy and all that.

 

[Greg]

... Greg: Wheels with MORE backspacing will bring the wheel farther into the inner fender... which is the problem to begin with. I think the current rims are either 3.5 or 4" and that's where I'm aiming to keep them... to keep the tires tucked in for legality, and keep bearings happy and all that.

Gotcha... I read upper, rather than inner. I was thinking they were rubbing to top of the wheel well, my bad.

 

[Tacoma]

I figured as much.

 

[cheepin]

Are you talking front or rear?For the front Rancho makes a bolt on bumpstops that you can get in many sizes.For the rear your on your own.I would use the ones for the front and fab the brackets.

 

[BCGPER]

K.I.S.S.

Just use a peice of 2" X (whatever you end up needing) peice of tubage, and be done with it.

Then again, is a little rubbing really hurting anything?

2. When making snazzy new homebrew bumpstops, would it be better to match the angle to the axle at all? Factory stops would obviously be contacting the axle at quite an angle while articulating... I think maybe it is a good idea to make the stops angled... plus they'd be stronger, and that's never bad. Something simple, like a flat plate with some triangle gussets.

Discuss.

 

[Tacoma]

I like KISS. I was definitely going to use whatever's laying around.

A LITTLE rubbing isn't hurting, but this is literally the entire sidewall smashed into the fenderwell... Should be much improved w/stops installed.

 

[BCGPER]

Personally, I like a little rubbing now and then..........

(lets you know your suspension is actually working)

There's an old saying from way back when a lot of us had "bug guards" . "If you aint rubbin, you aint wheelin".

 

[Tacoma]

hahah . I think I can find one at www.jcwhitney.com. Or maybe www.crappy80'sstuff.com hahah

Don't you worry about a little rubbing-- the front firewall gets rubbed but good... not a whole lot of room behind those front tires. There's even a couple bolts to rub the tread and let me know the tire's still turning!

 

[Will3161]

2. When making snazzy new homebrew bumpstops, would it be better to match the angle to the axle at all? Factory stops would obviously be contacting the axle at quite an angle while articulating... I think maybe it is a good idea to make the stops angled... plus they'd be stronger, and that's never bad. Something simple, like a flat plate with some triangle gussets.

Discuss.

I probably wouldn't angle the bumpstops, at least not too severely, unless you're sure you're not gonna come down hard on them from some sort of high speed bumps (I know that's probably something I would do). You might run the risk of breaking them. It's unlikely, that you would articulate hard enough for the bump stops to get damaged in that way.

 

[notajeep]

I vote for some super sweet SAW airbumbs slightly angled.