Trailhunter lift options

[MrJetset]

Got it. I’m curious how it improved the ride quality if the springs are stiffer - is it the additional travel

I am not an expert so I am not quite sure what makes the ride better. The fronts are about the same length with a couple more coils in them. Maybe that effectively makes them longer? Maybe since the OE springs were more compressed under stock load they are closer to the top of the compression of the spring? The rear springs are quite a bit taller and have more coils so that one is obvious. I would bet that the back end would be quite bouncy without any kind of load back there however.
I was expecting the same harsh ride with a bit of a lift, but they have definitely made the ride smoother. Very noticeable over railroad tracks and potholes. If you don't plan on much of a load, I would go with the 817s in the rear, but with about 300-600 lbs in the back the 819s are the way to go.

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[tacorancher]

The Peak 1" did a great job up front, no change in ride comfort from stock.

For the Dobinson, you may have to take a little gamble depending on what you want. Below is a screenshot for the rear spring options showing potential lift/load. Keep in mind these lift numbers are for an SR5 or TRD Sport / Off-Road truck, not the Trailhunter. Supposedly we have a 1" lift in the rear already and I think that is a spring lift so you would need to subtract 1" from the lift numbers for what will actually be achieved against the stock Trailhunter. My suggestion would be either the 869 or the 817 depending on if you want .25" of lift or 1.25" of lift. If adding the Peak 1" lift, I would definitely go with the 817 (personally). All this assumes stock load.

As for comfort, I can only speak to my experience with the extra 400# of weight I am carrying. Others have added various Dobinsons in the rear and reported similar comfort to stock.

Good luck!

Got it. So the 817 gets me the greatest extension / lift with the lowest spring rate, correct? And our OME shocks have that much additional travel? Would you say the 817 is a similar spring rate / tightness to OEM spring?

 

[tacorancher]

I am not an expert so I am not quite sure what makes the ride better. The fronts are about the same length with a couple more coils in them. Maybe that effectively makes them longer? Maybe since the OE springs were more compressed under stock load they are closer to the top of the compression of the spring? The rear springs are quite a bit taller and have more coils so that one is obvious. I would bet that the back end would be quite bouncy without any kind of load back there however.
I was expecting the same harsh ride with a bit of a lift, but they have definitely made the ride smoother. Very noticeable over railroad tracks and potholes. If you don't plan on much of a load, I would go with the 817s in the rear, but with about 300-600 lbs in the back the 819s are the way to go.

I am for sure looking closely at the 817s. I don't mind "bouncy" but would love the smoother ride over bumps. Did you do both fronts and backs?

 

[MrJetset]

I am for sure looking closely at the 817s. I don't mind "bouncy" but would love the smoother ride over bumps. Did you do both fronts and backs?

I did. 820s in the front. There are some pics above.

 

[tacorancher]

I did. 820s in the front. There are some pics above.

Oops - now I see the pictures. Great stance on your truck. It's crazy to me that we have that much travel to play with in the shocks. Does this mean you have more compression stroke but less rebound? Sorry for the dumb question. And for the 820 in the front, what would be equivalent to the 817 in the front in terms of spring rate?

 

[MrJetset]

Oops - now I see the pictures. Great stance on your truck. It's crazy to me that we have that much travel to play with in the shocks. Does this mean you have more compression stroke but less rebound? Sorry for the dumb question. And for the 820 in the front, what would be equivalent to the 817 in the front in terms of spring rate?

Yes the 820 and 817 will pair well together with probably up to about a 300 lb load.
Yes to the rebound question. I expect less rebound. I haven’t had it out on the trail yet to test it.

 

[tacorancher]

Yes the 820 and 817 will pair well together with probably up to about a 300 lb load.
Yes to the rebound question. I expect less rebound. I haven’t had it out on the trail yet to test it.

That helps - I need to refresh my understanding of how compression and rebound travel impact performance and ride in various situations - I suppose it could impact droop articulation but I’m not entirely sure

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