Sumospring bump stops

[The_Vermonster]

I replaced the rubber Ford bump stops with SumoSprings, but this doesn't look right. After dropping the van down, the Sumospring is about 50% compressed. The old rubber bumpstop was attached to a metal bracket, which is welded to the frame. I'm guessing the Sumospring wants to be installed right on the frame, but I'm hesitant to cut anything without checking first. Has anyone else dealt with this?

[carringb]

That only looks about 25% compressed to me? If that’s the case, it’s correct. Sumos can engaged full time. My fronts are. My rears are not.

They do say that if your static ride-height compresses them more than 50%, they won’t fully rebound after a while.

[Twoxentrix]

Mine is a 2006 SMB build and yours a 2010 Quigley, so i'm sure some differences.
My rear Sumos make contact on both ends (about 15% compressed)
My Fronts have a 1.5" gap before they'll make contact: here are 2 picks of the front showing both bottom & top (didn't take any pic's of the rear since my set-up with a Dana 80 axle will be somewhat different from yours):

Pic with the gap showing was taken from the front towards the back (Somo is attached to frame):

Pic of the top part of the mount was taken from the rear towards the front of the van:


Hope this provides some perspective.

[86Scotty]

My 2011 Quigley has the black Sumos like Felix (TwoX) above, so coil springs vs leaf. My black Sumos sit about even with the lower plates at static.

Personally Vermonster I don't like to see them engaged like yours but I bet CarringB's advice is solid. How much unload does it take for them to lift off the bottom?

I have fronts only, no rears. Airbags in rear currently acting as bump stops.

[keytothestone]

Hello....Installed some Sumos this morning in the rear. Questions? The Pic is with the spacers. They almost look as equal in distance as the upward of my current shock setup. Is that the configuration I'm looking for? Also my rear shocks seem to have about 2" of upward I think 4 would be ideal? I'm swapping rear axle in the next week or so to a FF. Should I be thinking about finding shorter shocks to provide some more up travel to install while the axle is out. Thanks

[Twoxentrix]

Originally Posted by keytothestone

They almost look as equal in distance as the upward of my current shock setup. Is that the configuration I'm looking for? Also my rear shocks seem to have about 2" of upward I think 4 would be ideal?

Sumo's begin there 'purpose' as they compress...more resistance is accomplished with more load. From the looks of it you will never see the benefit of the Sumo's since your shocks will bottom out first.
I'd measure from the top of the axle to at least 2/3rds the way up your Sumo's & that's the distance I'd want for shock travel.
So looks like your Sumo's should drop down to where they compress a little on the axle - this would accommodate your current shock travel. EDIT: I would also still see if you can source a shock that would allow a little more travel

[keytothestone]

Originally Posted by Twoxentrix

Sumo's begin there 'purpose' as they compress...more resistance is accomplished with more load. From the looks of it you will never see the benefit of the Sumo's since your shocks will bottom out first.
I'd measure from the top of the axle to at least 2/3rds the way up your Sumo's & that's the distance I'd want for shock travel.
So looks like your Sumo's should drop down to where they compress a little on the axle - this would accommodate your current shock travel. EDIT: I would also still see if you can source a shock that would allow a little more travel

Awesome this helps! So I would need to add 2 more spacers for the Sumos I think for this setup. After some measurements I have about 3" of up.. I think I should increase this? If I do then I should need only one more spacer I think?

Current shocks Fox 29.02 ext with 11.1 travel
Thinking 26.85 ext with 10.10 travel this would give me around 5up/5down?

Or one with reservoir 27.95 ext 11.1 travel...this I think 4 1/2 up 6/12 dwn? Also $288 more

[kbeefy]

If your swapping axles anyways, maybe you can put lower shock mounts on the axle to recover some of your shock travel. 2" of up travel is terrible!

[keytothestone]

Originally Posted by kbeefy

If your swapping axles anyways, maybe you can put lower shock mounts on the axle to recover some of your shock travel. 2" of up travel is terrible!

Agreed 2" is terrible! After moving the rig to flatter terrain and measuring well I got 3" of up. Not great. I'm guessing I lost an inch or more that I had originally. When I added 2 leafs to the pack. Think I'm gonna get new shocks that will give me 4-5" of up. Trying to figure it out between 2 options. Also the new FF axle shock mounts could be a little different (lower) Idk?

[Twoxentrix]

Originally Posted by kbeefy

If your swapping axles anyways, maybe you can put lower shock mounts on the axle to recover some of your shock travel. 2" of up travel is terrible!

Yep, I wouldn't do much 'testing' with your current set up, and would also wait to install the new axle before contemplating any adjustments.

Once it's in, jack up one side to see how far the diff drops - you'll want at least a little more travel than that so you don't end out using the shocks to suspend the diff prematurely, or you could consider attaching limiting straps (rear and/or front).

Once the diff is in then you can adjust for the sumo's and also measure what you'll need for shock travel. The sumo's are your new bump stops so you need to measure shock travel as if the sumo's would be compressed at least 3/4 of the way minimum since the blue Sumo's are more forgiving). Weight of the van & the performance characteristics of your leaf spring pack can/could play into the equation, as would a rear sway bar if you have one (unless you have quick disconnects that you'd be utilizing).

Normally you can get a ruff idea of how much travel your shocks are currently handling by inspecting the shaft - the shinny area is an indication of how they're being exercised. The dirty part of the shaft pretty much reveals how much travel you still have available. ***If you haven't done any technical wheeling for a while then what you see now may grossly underrepresent your actual needs.