Limit strap tech question, will this work?

Tacoma747

Tacoma747

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Mar 20, 2005
Location
Winston-Salem
I thought I posted this up earlier, but apparently it didn't work, so here goes again:

I have no way to mount a limit strap on the front suspension directly over the center of the axle, because there is no room (oilpan, 3rd link, etc).

SO: I was thinking (might should try not to do that so much), would it work if I ran a strap from each side of the truck (under engine mounts) down to the center of the axle?

Seems it would work fine to limit droop, but when the truck flexes and the trac-bar pulls the axle to one side or the other I don't think it will work too well?

Any ideas or suggestions? Think it will work just fine and I am overthinking it, or it won't work at all?

I don't need to limit shock droop (I do, but that is easy), I need to limit full axle droop. When I pull up to a rock it lifts the whole truck. I knew this would be a problem, just wish I could use the winch to pull it down...
 
sounds like you have too much anti-dive.. :flipoff2:

How much of an angle are you talking?
 
What's the angle, looking from the front, that the straps would be at, vs. the desired straight up and down for the center strap.

Anti-dive is similar to anti-squat for the rear, and the same principles apply. Does that help? You mentioned you knew this would be a problem.. why... packaging issue?
 
Tacoma747 said:
I have no way to mount a limit strap on the front suspension directly over the center of the axle, because there is no room (oilpan, 3rd link, etc).
Click to expand...

I would put a limiting strap on the shock for the short side of the axle housing.
 
Rich said:
What's the angle, looking from the front, that the straps would be at, vs. the desired straight up and down for the center strap.
Anti-dive is similar to anti-squat for the rear, and the same principles apply. Does that help? You mentioned you knew this would be a problem.. why... packaging issue?
Click to expand...


Dunno, maybe 35-45*?

I was thinking of putting an eyelet on the axle, and letting the strap 'float', so that it will still be able to flex properly.

This is what I am GOING to do, at least for this trip, may change it later on though, don't have time to do anything else.



Strange1, not sure how limiting the shock on the short side is going to help keep the whole axle from drooping?
 
I don't think I quite understand...but if you trying to reduce overall droop and not effect the single side droop, then make sure the strap comes together at a single point on the dead center of the axle tube and keep it (at verticle from the axle tube) 0" tall if possible. If you make a mount that moves horizontally or that is on a mount too tall (vertically above) the axle tube than when the axle twists the strap will tighten and reduce flex.

If you are trying to reduce single side droop, connect a strap at each shock/spring mount and anywhere up top.
 
Oh and I run a single front upper and a tri link wish bone rear and has a problem with one side or the other lifting up during torque. I solved it by seperating (vertically) the upper and lower links at the frame and moving them closer at the axle. Fixed it right up. But i am not sure your geometry issue is the same.
 
I don't see a problem running two straps, one from each frame rail, to the center of the axle to limit droop. I would raise the front of the truck until you reach your desired max droop, then attach the straps so they are both tight at that point.

Dk
 
limiting strap

Yes. It will work. Mine will lift the front wheels off the ground after the bumper is jacked up 2 inches. Thats the best way I found to adjust it. Not sure how this would clear a linked front. But the strap does "float"

a216.77.188.54_coDataImages_p_Groups_303_303278_folders_232632_1829028strap.jpg
 
Tacoma747 said:
Strange1, not sure how limiting the shock on the short side is going to help keep the whole axle from drooping?
Click to expand...

really it won't, but by placing as close to the pumpkin as possible it (on the short side) it will help you keep from maxing out the d-shaft. The pic above is what you're looking for. I have seen that done with a piece of wire rope and a pulley mounted to the diff.
 
I don't think his issue is the driveline binding, it's more of an unloading issue.
 
My setup solved several issues: front end too high on climbing (weight dist, visibility, etc.) and shackle reversal problems (slipping the dshaft, axle walking, no pull from front tires). More or less a bandaid for other design problems.
 
Make you a temporary bracket that uses an axle u-bolt so you can try it out. If you don't like it just take it off. I picked up some 3 inch wide strap from Northern and threw it together one afternoon. Mine extends straight back off the axle about 3 inches to prevent pinion dive. I also like the fact that I can remove it in minutes if it causes a problem.
 
limiting strap

And now the cheapest mod I did gets more attention than anything else. Seeing is believing though... Probably not that impressive to ramp jockeys as it will lift a tire before full droop.
1816161jockstrap.jpg

This is why... the front end lifting and saying bye bye to the Jeep. No pull/drive from the front tires, typical unloading/weight shifting, might help linked setup some? Like I said, a bandaid for shackle reversal.
a216.77.188.54_coDataImages_p_Groups_303_303278_folders_232632_1816162upper2.jpg
 
Bringing this back up. I am wanting to do a center limit strap on my Samurai since I have a missing link shackle set up. I know John has tried an axle strap like jdubb and stranded steel cable on his truck, but they both keep breaking. What did you end up doing Michael?
 
rich is right all the way on this thread, something is wrong with your suspension design, a limit strap is bandading a flesh wound. If the pickup is that severe something for the center strap will end up breaking down the road from the extreme strees.

You say your links are at 35-48* degrees. Verify that and report back. That is an awefully steep link, hence the pickup. General rule of thumb, the more level the link, the less antisquat/dive. What is the seperation from the upper/lower link at the frame side?
 
I said the strap came down at a 35-35* angle (down to the center of the housing).

I bolted mine to the engine mounts, it runs through a u-bolt. I bought the strap from Poly Performance, it is one of the 4-layer straps, and has held up well. I would suggest getting something similar.

It fixed the unloading problem on steep climbs, but the truck will still pull a tire off the ground probably 4 feet, so it didn't hurt flex at all.
 
Tacoma747 said:
I said the strap came down at a 35-35* angle (down to the center of the housing).
I bolted mine to the engine mounts, it runs through a u-bolt. I bought the strap from Poly Performance, it is one of the 4-layer straps, and has held up well. I would suggest getting something similar.
It fixed the unloading problem on steep climbs, but the truck will still pull a tire off the ground probably 4 feet, so it didn't hurt flex at all.
Click to expand...
you're gonna have a hard time convincing people this works so don't bother, everybody's hung up on link design. Glad it worked for you too.
Correction: Unless its a winch connected to the front axle, thats popular right now
 
I don't see how link design can possible solve the front end unloading at steep angle issue. I'm not talking about acceleration induced unloading, I'm talking about standing your rig on its tail. At that angle of course the air shocks/coil overs will extend, there is no downward force to hold them in place.

FWIW, I was goofing off on a really steep angle at the rausch creek man made comp course last weekend. What worked best was to suck in the axle for climbing the to extend it as I crested the peak so that my belly wouldn't drag.
 
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