Thread: Dislocate or Retain?

I assume you mean the coils?

I have always been of the opinion that dislocating coils don't really improve offroad ability. They can also make the vehicle look a bit unstable when the seat/unseat.

You could always fit air springs - which must be retained both ends

Originally Posted by isuzurover

I assume you mean the coils?

I have always been of the opinion that dislocating coils don't really improve offroad ability. They can also make the vehicle look a bit unstable when the seat/unseat.

You could always fit air springs - which must be retained both ends

Yep meant coils , had a mental blank, will change now to avoid confusion

I wouldn't bother seting up the front to dislocate due to the radius arms.

My opinion is that its better to retain the spring, even if the spring is set up to be pulled. I'm not convinced that a dislocating setup gives you more usable travel, and if the weight is unbalanced it may even give you less because one end needs to force the other end to work.

I did an experiment on one of my 4WD's with the axle strapped and unstrapped. When unstrapped (ie dislocating) I could lift the trolley jack only marginally (maybe 5cm) before the rear coil unseated. If I kept lifting the rear just lifted straight up and there was minimal articulation - meaning the angle of the car will be the same as the angle of the ground that the front wheels are on, and not split between the angles of the front and rear axles.

The pic below is with the rear axle strapped.


I tend to think that this is an extreme case of demonstrating the differences between retained and unretained, but you get the picture.

Dislocation will theoretically give you more articulation whilst keeping the same size springs and therefore ride height and quality.

If you retain the coils, you will either need longer or softer springs to get the same articulation.
Giving you a higher ride height if the sping rates are kept similar or a spongier ride if the springs are softer but the height is similar.

By dislocating you can keep the wheels in contact with the ground more often and hence increase traction.
Useful for those cross axle times especially if you don't have lockers or traction control.
They do make a shocking clang as they relocate though.

I don't think you really need them unless you are building a pretty hardcore beasty.

Originally Posted by nice1guv

Dislocation will theoretically give you more articulation whilst keeping the same size springs and therefore ride height and quality.

If you retain the coils, you will either need longer or softer springs to get the same articulation.
Giving you a higher ride height if the sping rates are kept similar or a spongier ride if the springs are softer but the height is similar.

By dislocating you can keep the wheels in contact with the ground more often and hence increase traction.
Useful for those cross axle times especially if you don't have lockers or traction control.
They do make a shocking clang as they relocate though.

I don't think you really need them unless you are building a pretty hardcore beasty.

Dannie IS building a hardcore beastie and already has lockers. IME, once a spring has dislocated, there is often little pressure on the low side wheel. So the wheel may be (lightly) touching the ground but can still spin.

Originally Posted by isuzurover

Dannie IS building a hardcore beastie and already has lockers. IME, once a spring has dislocated, there is often little pressure on the low side wheel. So the wheel may be (lightly) touching the ground but can still spin.

Hmmmm.......nice soft springs with the lockers I think then.

What do the Team Rovacraft guys run?

I think you will find pretty much all the comp trucks that arnt running coil overs are running a dislocation setup

Originally Posted by cal415

I think you will find pretty much all the comp trucks that arnt running coil overs are running a dislocation setup

they must be wrong then

cheers phil