Extra load capacity

[neale_rs]

After the last trip, my rear springs seem to have sagged or settled about 0.5" due to the heavy load and hard use (the boomerang shackles actually hit the rear crossmenber on the inside of the frame rails). The Jeep (YJ) is still level (it used to be a bit higher in back than in front) and for most use this will be fine, more relative droop actually for rock crawling!

However, I'm looking for ideas for adding temporary load carrying capacity for heavily loaded trips.  Something that could be added just for the trip and then removed.

Could some sort of inexpensive overload shocks (those with springs around them) be used or maybe some sort of air shock?

What would be the chances of damaging the shock mounts (especially the top mounts at the frame)?

Thanks

[Bounty Hunter]

Airbags.  Can run with 0psi and have a smooth ride and articulation, pump them up for the occasional increase in payload capacity.

[FourbangerYJ]

Helper springs.
http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/scan/fi=products/st=db/co=1/sf=category/se=Helper%20Springs/op=eq/nu=0/sf=veh_make/se=Jeep/op=eq/nu=0/sf=model/se=CJ5%20%3A%3A%20CJ7/op=eq/nu=0/ml=25/tf=category/to=x/tf=veh_make/to=x/tf=model/to=x/tf=description/to=r.html

They list them for a CJ7 but it should work. Both springs are 2.5 inches wide.

[sharpxmen]

Airbags.  Can run with 0psi and have a smooth ride and articulation, pump them up for the occasional increase in payload capacity.

i was looking for a good writeup on that - do you know of one?

[neale_rs]

i was looking for a good writeup on that - do you know of one?

These instructions provide enough detail:  http://airlift.iwebcat.com/imgVD/AIL/MN-332_59503_59529.pdf

[neale_rs]

Thanks for the ideas.  The steel helper springs look like they could be the best alternative to avoid plumbing air hoses.

[Jeffy]

Thanks for the ideas.  The steel helper springs look like they could be the best alternative to avoid plumbing air hoses.

On the cheap you can use the main spring on a YJ leaf pack.  Just cut the ends off.  I have a set for my SOA but I've never used them.

[neale_rs]

I'm looking for something that can be taken on and off easily as needed.  But maybe something could be improvised using old leaves.

[sharpxmen]

These instructions provide enough detail:  http://airlift.iwebcat.com/imgVD/AIL/MN-332_59503_59529.pdf

i was looking more on the lines of a YJ writeup

[Jeffy]

It might just be easier to swap out the rear shocks for air shocks or maybe a shock/coil-over like the old 4way Shocks by Trailmaster.  http://www.trailmastersuspension.com/4way/4wayshocks.htm

[neale_rs]

Do you think the shock mounting studs would hold up with a shock like that?  That would be my main concern with those.

[Jeffy]

Well, the shocks aren't holding up all of the vehicles weight.  It's also not the first time it's been done.  They have done similar stuff back in the 50's and 60's.

[Bounty Hunter]

Thanks for the ideas.  The steel helper springs look like they could be the best alternative to avoid plumbing air hoses.

I've installed airbags on a few tow rigs, plumbing the air lines is the easiest part.

[wolf]

http://timbren.com/timbren-application-guides/application-pdfs/JRYJ1.pdf

[neale_rs]

I've installed airbags on a few tow rigs, plumbing the air lines is the easiest part.

I took another look at the intructions and it does seem pretty easy.  I was thinking it would require hooking it up to an on-board compressor.