Hell Creek Suspensions

[hi_c]

Tire Size

This past weekend I went wheeling in the Hurricane Charley muck. While running through the ruts, my front passenger tire got shoved into a deeper than expected rut and bent that spring. It was taco'ed a little, but I was able to make the 20 mile drive home.

So I called Tom Laher at Hell Creek Suspensions (where I got my lift from) and told him what happened. It was completely my fault, but Tom called me and said that a new spring was on the way.

This guarantee is only rivaled by the BDS lift kit, but it's not really any better, just the same. So for those who have a Hell Creek kit or were considering one... do not shy away because of the low cost. This kit is quality and the company stands behind their product.

I have always vouched for Hell Creek and with my first "issue" I'm glad to continue that stance. If you have any questions, post 'em.

Corey

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Where'd the spring bend at, on the leaf pack? Got a pic?

 

[hi_c]

Haven't got a pic, yet. It bent behind the front axle right in front of the hanger. *edit - It's a taco bend, not a negative arch bend and it's on the main leaf.* It's only a minor bend... I can still drive it to work, but that side of the Jeep is about 1" higher and I know that it makes the pass. side wheel sit back a little in relation to the driver's front wheel because my steering is off-center. So it might start wearing my tires unevenly or causes other issues if I don't correct it soon. Espcecially since it's my DD.

I didn't even know it happened until after I got home and parked the Jeep. I looked a little cock-eyed. If I had locked axles, I wouldn't need so much momentum to get through that rough crap. Speed kills. In this case, it killed my spring.

corey

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

You got that right, momentum can be very hard on parts.

The frame hanger eyes of my springs are a military wrap, so it'd have to bend both top leaves in that situation. The shackle ends are only 1/2 military wrap so they could taco easily like yours, but not bend up as easily.

 

[hi_c]

Instrument cluster on a 99 XJ - Interesting question

I read on JA that increased shackle rake will help prevent taco'd springs. For example, short shackles (or stock shackle lengths) cause the spring to be near vertical. This is bad according to the thread. I'm researching this for validity. Opinions?

 

[TwistedCU]

When I put longer shackles on my YJ with BDS springs, the only difference I noticed was the angle of the shackle. I wheeled them hard (all-terrain tires in deep rutted slop) with both the stock shackles and the extended (1/2" lift) shackles. Phatyaspen and Jeepdude832 saw how hard I hit some of that stuff to get through when I had the stock shackles on there at Cedar Lane. Got stuck a couple times but never hurt anything.
I blame being stuck on the AT's and open diff's, but it was a daily driver that saw 30K mi per year so I really had no choice.

My point is not to compare the springs, but to say I don't think the stock shackles hurt any. The only reason I put longer ones on there is the springs had full military wraps on both ends and they would hit the rear crossmember at full articulation or hard bumps.

Good to hear that Laher stands behind his stuff. I had bought a 4 1/2" kit for my XJ, but sold it when I bought my second YJ. Those rear leaf springs were really well built. I wished I had kept that lift but hindsight is 20/20. I'll probably go with a set of his rear springs seperately when my AAL's begin to sag.

The 4 1/2" leaf springs he makes for the XJ are designed to rotate the pinion to the proper angle without shims if using stock shackles. That will be nice combined with a SYE. He has added 3" springs to his line, but I don't know if they angle the pinion or not.