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-   -   Increase ground clearance? Any suggestions? (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/127071-increase-ground-clearance-any-suggestions.html)

R Leo 06-28-2005 12:41 PM

Increase ground clearance? Any suggestions?
 
I'm contemplating making a rustout 115 that I have into a light duty farm hauler . Anybody have any suggestions on how to increase the ground clearance?

diametricalbenz 06-28-2005 01:02 PM

Custom springs that are taller than stock? How much lift do you need?

dannym 06-28-2005 01:03 PM

You can find some ideas in here:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/124073-rear-suspension-ride-height.html?highlight=ride

Danny

Pete Burton 06-28-2005 03:08 PM

put some taller tires/wheels on and wedge some coil spring extenders in the coil springs. If it stays on the farm, I assume it won't be traveling at high speeds....so larger tires/wheels from an old domestic station wagon or pickup could be modified to fit :eek:

boneheaddoctor 06-28-2005 03:27 PM

29" gumbo mudders in a 14" size I think are availible....jacking up the springs won't be too hard.....

Brian Carlton 06-28-2005 06:01 PM

Depending on what you want to spend, I'm very pleased with my new rear coil springs from Coil Spring Specialties.

I saw William today (MTUpower) and he also agreed that the SDL now sits too high in the back. So, as planned, I will get the next thinner rubber spacer for it.

The ratio of spring length to increase in body height is 2.5:1 on the SDL. It doesn't take much to raise the vehicle 3" if you really want to. :eek:

If you wish to get away really cheap, ask CSS if they can "pull" your older springs out so that they are longer. Might be possible and would save you a bunch of money over new ones.

t walgamuth 06-28-2005 07:41 PM

height
 
i am assuming yoiu are thinking cheap since you are planning to use the benz as a truck!

so i am thinking the above post recommending rubber wedges is about right, except the part about using ford or chebby wheels. find some 15" mb wheels and use oversize tires and cut out the wheel wells if nec. then post pics.

R Leo 06-28-2005 08:10 PM

Quote:

Depending on what you want to spend, I'm very pleased with my new rear coil springs from Coil Spring Specialties.

I saw William today (MTUpower) and he also agreed that the SDL now sits too high in the back. So, as planned, I will get the next thinner rubber spacer for it.

The ratio of spring length to increase in body height is 2.5:1 on the SDL. It doesn't take much to raise the vehicle 3" if you really want to. :eek:

If you wish to get away really cheap, ask CSS if they can "pull" your older springs out so that they are longer. Might be possible and would save you a bunch of money over new ones.

i am assuming yoiu are thinking cheap since you are planning to use the benz as a truck!

so i am thinking the above post recommending rubber wedges is about right, except the part about using ford or chebby wheels. find some 15" mb wheels and use oversize tires and cut out the wheel wells if nec. then post pics.
Hmmm...some really long springs and 15" wheels might just do the trick. Heck, I already drive my wagon all over the daggone farm...not much stops me. A beater diesel UTE with an additonal 3-5" of clearance and a skid plate would be neato...

Brian,
How much did those springs set you back?

andersbenz 06-28-2005 08:11 PM

Sdkfz 251
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by R Leo
I'm contemplating making a rustout 115 that I have into a light duty farm hauler . Anybody have any suggestions on how to increase the ground clearance?

Randy,

If you are going to make a cross county vehicle out of a 115 then you might as well do it right.

Use the back chassis of a WWII surplus SDKFZ 251 Mittlerer Schutzpanzerwagen (half track).

If they could traverse the steppes of the old Soviet Union, it should work on your property.

http://ww2photo.mimerswell.com/tanks/d/sdkfz/sd251/sd251.htm

Brian Carlton 06-28-2005 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Leo

Brian,
How much did those springs set you back?

The springs were $168.00.

But the shipping added another $30.00 :eek:
Has anybody else noticed the shipping charges lately are close to $1.00/lb. with UPS? I used Fedex and the same springs went a longer distance (to Arizona) for $22.00.

JimmyL 06-29-2005 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Leo
I'm contemplating making a rustout 115 that I have into a light duty farm hauler . Anybody have any suggestions on how to increase the ground clearance?


Don't you need to be fixing Passion Flower? :D :D :D :D :D

WannaWagon 06-29-2005 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton
I saw William today (MTUpower) and he also agreed that the SDL now sits too high in the back. So, as planned, I will get the next thinner rubber spacer for it.

Can anybody point me to some hard info on these spacers, part numbers, and how to use them to change ride height? I know it's been discussed in detail here but I was unable to find good info in a recent search. I'm thinking about using a thinner spacer in front to lower my wagon just a tad. Thx!

Brian Carlton 06-29-2005 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WannaWagon
Can anybody point me to some hard info on these spacers, part numbers, and how to use them to change ride height? I know it's been discussed in detail here but I was unable to find good info in a recent search. I'm thinking about using a thinner spacer in front to lower my wagon just a tad. Thx!

For the W123, there are four spacers: 8mm, 13mm, 18mm, and 23mm.

Each serves to increase or decrease the height of the body.

On the rear of the SDL, the ratio was about 2.0:1. This means that if you change from an 8 to a 13 mm spacer, you would raise the body by twice the difference (10 mm). However, I don't know if the 2.0:1 ratio will hold on the W123. So, if you want to lower the height in the front, you need a thinner spacer than what you are currently using. If you are looking for a big change (about 1" or so), you probably need to jump two sizes.

t walgamuth 06-29-2005 11:25 PM

similar
 
if the 123 and 126 rear ends are not identical they are certainly extremely similar. i believe most parts are interchangable. so if it is 2 to1 on the 126 it should be the same on the 123. imho

Brian Carlton 06-29-2005 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth
if the 123 and 126 rear ends are not identical they are certainly extremely similar. i believe most parts are interchangable. so if it is 2 to1 on the 126 it should be the same on the 123. imho

He's interested in the front end, Tom.


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