Cycling leaf spring set up

Okay, searched but didn’t find what I was looking for (maybe under different title?). I’m setting up the rear suspension on my 12 DC. Here’s basically what I’m doing. I have OME Dakar spring pack, removing 3rd leaf, 1/2” longer shackles, u bolt flip, hydraulic bump stops, upper shock mounts, lower shock mounts and limit straps. My question is, how/where do I get info on cycling the leaf spring to set up the bump stop and up travel? Still going to be a spring over for now. I know I only use the main leaf to cycle it, but where do I set the bump stop? All the way till the spring plate touches the factory jump stop plates? Is negative arc okay? Should I use the factory rubber bump stops (that are going away) as a “guide” and set the bump stop (bottomed) at the same point? My question is more about setting the proper up/bottomed/compressed spring position than mounting the stops....

 

How much of these parts have you purchased already?

 

I bolt flip kit upper shock mounts and lower shock mounts

 

Are you doing a shackle flip? Your comment about longer shackles confuses me because if you have inverted shackles (stock) and buy longer shackles, your rear end will be lowered instead of lifted.

If you are looking at a shackle flip, I would suggest reading my thoughts after having both:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-overland-build.302427/page-238#post-20880716

As far as measuring for the bump stops:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...t-a-build-thread.455075/page-59#post-14515411

 

I’ll check that thread out, it’s damn long. No shackle flip, is like to get a bit of drop from the “slightly” longer shackle. I know I can only go about .500” over stock. But yes, between the longer shackle and removing the 3rd leaf, I’d assume I’ll get about 1.5” drop in the rear.

 

Are you going with a shock relocation?

 

Yes, going to reuse the Kings in it now. Have to move the mounts up about 6”. I got into this truck with “some work” on the rear end. My goal is to get a decent “middish” travel set up with most of what I have already. Then I’ll save up for a LT set up, but still a few years down the road...

 

Not sure what you mean, but check out https://archivegarage.com/ he’s a member on here and very helpful. @ARCHIVE
You can fab up your own bumps or buy bolt-ons by King and Icon. They’ll put you where you need to be with the springs you’re using. I used the Icons before going SUA.

 

Do you know what travel shocks you have? Perhaps a part #.

I was referring to something like BAMF shock relocation for 12" shocks or even front Ford shock towers for 14" shocks.

 

I believe the shocks are 12 or 14” travel. Can’t remember off the top of my head. My biggest question is how to set up the full compression/up travel of the leaf spring. I’m pretty sure I’m good on the shock end. I’m waiting for the flame of a .5” longer shackle, but it’s better than nothing...

 

So it looks like no one knows how to or where to find how to set leaf spring up/compressed travel? I looked through the bump stop thread but it’s a 150 pages of everything, can’t really find that info....

 

You have to break the leaf pack down, use the main leaf spring and then measure.

 

I know that part, I’m asking is it okay for the leaf to go into negative arc? I’m going to put hydraulic bump stops on so I want to go up as close as I can to the frame with the spring plate. Will this hurt the leaf? Is there a magic number to not go over or under? Or just push the main leaf up to the bump stop at the frame and call it good?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...t-a-build-thread.455075/page-59#post-14515411

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...t-a-build-thread.455075/page-83#post-15102712

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...t-a-build-thread.455075/page-82#post-15093851

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-a-build-thread.455075/page-113#post-16461720

 

You want to avoid negative arc. I believe this is why LT guys go SUA so they can get all that up travel.

I could be wrong but that's how I understand it.

 

@Armament
Old articles but good info in here:

http://www.off-road.com/trucks-4x4/project579.html

Best option would be to cycle your parts on your truck directly. There are general guidelines but what nothing that you can rely on 100% without doing some of the cycling. That's really the only way to see what kind of numbers your stack of components will yield.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-18”-bypasses.587231/page-2

 

That’s what I’m afraid of. Springs will DEFINITELY have some negative arc if I get as close to the frame/bump stop as possible. I guess we’ll see...