H3T Hans3T's Tuff Country Build

[Hunner]

In answer to a question I see I missed I attribute the springs on my 06 bending to the weight but the shackles made it worse. I tried it both ways.
In your case now the stiffer added springs may prevent that. Did you need the shackles after adding the leaves or did you not try it that way?
Back up there the shot of my Alpha is with the same weight and stock shackles.
Are those two with yellow what you added? So they offer them in different stiffness?
I was asking because the spring shop here said they could custom make some to support my loaded weight if I brought it in. However now with the Alpha at this point I'm fine.

 

[cgalpha08]

Def looks much better! Looks lifted for sure! !

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[Hans3T]

Looks much better. When are the 35's going on?

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Probably when these wear out - or I accept a good job! :giggle: I just don't have the budget for it now. All in good time!

 

[Bigunit]

Looks really good Hans. :thumbs:

Did you have to use spacers on the wheels and how did that splash shield fit? Any pics yet of it installed?

 

[Hans3T]

In answer to a question I see I missed I attribute the springs on my 06 bending to the weight but the shackles made it worse. I tried it both ways.
In your case now the stiffer added springs may prevent that. Did you need the shackles after adding the leaves or did you not try it that way?
Back up there the shot of my Alpha is with the same weight and stock shackles.
Are those two with yellow what you added? So they offer them in different stiffness?
I was asking because the spring shop here said they could custom make some to support my loaded weight if I brought it in. However now with the Alpha at this point I'm fine.

The tech said the shackles really helped a lot and that he thought without them it still would not have been where it needed to be. So yes, shackles were needed.

The two marked in yellow are the TC add-a-leaves, yes. Not sure about the stiffnesses...I was sent another set of identical leaves, and they're both on there.

Hunner, I still need to have an alignment done as the front tires are a bit pigeon toed. They quoted me at about $300 because they said they would have to adjust something in the A-arms (I think that is what he said...I was in sticker shock). Seemed fishy to me. I trust the local guy, but that sounds really steep AND unnecessary with regards to adjusting the A-arm.

Can I just take it to a Jiffy Lube (or equivalent chain) to have a 4 wheel alignment done for like $80?

 

[Hans3T]

Looks really good Hans. :thumbs:

Did you have to use spacers on the wheels and how did that splash shield fit? Any pics yet of it installed?

Thanks Luis! :cheers:

Yes, I have 1.5" spacers on the truck and they work great with the 33" tires. I think Chris was cutting it very close using 1.5" spacers with his 35" tires.

No pics of the splash shield yet as I will put it on myself (with any luck) later this week when the weather/time is cooperative. Marian is on spring break and lands tonight for a week together! :woot:

 

[Bigunit]

Get the Firestone Lifetime alignment for around $165 and you'll never have to spend another $ aligning Barney's shoes! Well worth it.

 

[Hans3T]

Get the Firestone Lifetime alignment for around $165 and you'll never have to spend another $ aligning Barney's shoes! Well worth it.

Wicked good idea!! I'll look into that for sure.

 

[Hans3T]

as for the clamps prior to pour 3 I would have said don't worry about them but when we got our 3 it didn't have the clamps and the leafs kept getting misaligned

He was able to stretch them and keep 'em on there somehow.

 

[backwoods]

Got my shackels today get yours on yet!?

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[cbetts]

That looks really sweet, Hans! A major difference from when you first bought it. Maybe Portaget will get a lift now . . . ;-)

 

[Portager]

Looks good Hans!

No Craig, I not jumping into those waters until I see how long Barney and Squeaky last! The birthing process was pretty scary, but for all I know, there could be piranhas and sharks in those waters just waiting for me to decide its safe. Besides I’m not done milking my warranty yet.

 

[backwoods]

The tech said the shackles really helped a lot and that he thought without them it still would not have been where it needed to be. So yes, shackles were needed.

The two marked in yellow are the TC add-a-leaves, yes. Not sure about the stiffnesses...I was sent another set of identical leaves, and they're both on there.

Hunner, I still need to have an alignment done as the front tires are a bit pigeon toed. They quoted me at about $300 because they said they would have to adjust something in the A-arms (I think that is what he said...I was in sticker shock). Seemed fishy to me. I trust the local guy, but that sounds really steep AND unnecessary with regards to adjusting the A-arm.

Can I just take it to a Jiffy Lube (or equivalent chain) to have a 4 wheel alignment done for like $80?

Hans remember when i called and talked to you about the mechanic not knowing how to alingn my 3 so i had to show him how? they are wanting to adjust the cam in the upper control arm but if your t bars are cranked to tall causing the camber to be off ...but make sure you are level all four corners before dropping it off but that camber adjustment should be standard with an alignment....

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[Hans3T]

Hans remember when i called and talked to you about the mechanic not knowing how to alingn my 3 so i had to show him how?

I'll give you a call sometime this week about that. You'll have to explain it again to get it through my thick skull! :giggle:

 

[backwoods]

Roger that sir

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[Hunner]

I think the shackles made a difference because your OEM longer top springs are not lifting enough. Those compress first. Remember they were trying to make an SUV AND an off-road truck, and I think compromised to get a good ride for the masses, or is that MRS's.
The leaves you added to the pack being further down get into the overload range and do not do much until you load up some weight or jump it!
You should only do the prior! not the later! lol
The alignment guys do sound a bit strange to talk like adjusting castor and camber as a reason to charge more??
This is the indicator by the A-arm.

The tie rods are used to adjust toe in or out then have to me compromised to get the steering wheel straight.
Google castor and camber to get the real story.
The Firestone lifetime warranty is only as good as the techs and the franchise you go to.
If they are using a digital type alignment machine and have the software for the H3 it would be good to have them print out what it says it is now then what the settings are after they got what they think is correct.
It would be interesting how that lift changed things out of spec and how far.
It's your mission should you chose to accept it. This message will probably never self destruct except in the event of a nuclear created magnetic storm or EMP!
These screen shots were when I had my H3 on the rack. They are not correct readings they are just showing what is available. I was doing the adjusting and missed getting the actual final readings on camera.

 

[Ron46]

Looks really good Hans!

 

[06 H3]

Get the Firestone Lifetime alignment for around $165 and you'll never have to spend another $ aligning Barney's shoes! Well worth it.

Hans, The lift looks sweet! Just make sure your firestone is good...Mine sucks! They bitch and complain about the 3 having a lift and there alignments unadjust when I drive away...some firestones are good, others arent.

 

[Hans3T]

Hans, The lift looks sweet! Just make sure your firestone is good...Mine sucks! They bitch and complain about the 3 having a lift and there alignments unadjust when I drive away...some firestones are good, others arent.

Thanks, Chris! We're on a similar level now! :giggle:

I will keep that in mind! I'm sure that other chains would offer the same package as well.

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[Hunner]

Message received:shifty:

 

[Hans3T]

Message received:shifty:

I'm waiting to answer your paragraphs when I'm on a computer and not my baby keyboard on the cell phone!

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[Hans3T]

Well, I had some great weather today and tried to fit the skidplate I got from Bigunit, but there is a corner that is sort of bent up and won't allow me to slide it between the narrow gap where it needs to fit... So, I need to (I guess) take it to a metal press or something to flatten it back out. Hmm...

Anywho, here are a few better photos of the lift.

 

[05Mudiak]

The one local Firestone I checked here said they do not do the lifetime alignment on lifted truck and will only do it on stock suspensions as long the tire are stock size or 1 size up from stock. Do you guys firestone do it?

 

[Portager]

Well, I had some great weather today and tried to fit the skidplate I got from Bigunit, but there is a corner that is sort of bent up and won't allow me to slide it between the narrow gap where it needs to fit... So, I need to (I guess) take it to a metal press or something to flatten it back out. Hmm...

Have you tried a BFH yet?

 

[Bigunit]

Have you tried a BFH yet?

Hans, Portager is right. Pick up a mini-sledge hammer at Harbor Freight and bang away on that shield while you prop it against a concrete curb or on flat some other flat surface - it can't be that far off in order to get it to fit.