Why reduced maintenance? That’s one thing I would need to increase or maintain to increase longevity, right? What parts do you think I would have to monitor?
Is there anything you would recommend to help save the suspension with the 37’s and the additional weight of the RTT, winch, interior molle panels, and other items on my list?
Your suspension is a wear item/consumable also, although it will last a long time they still get worn and needed replaced if you keep it long enough. Just keep it clean and don’t run it at its extreme end of performance. Choosing the right spring rate for your build from the start will have the biggest effect here.
What @CitrusBronco says is correct, You're just going to have to replace wear components sooner in your suspension than someone with a lighter rig, You should still use the same parameters as anyone else would, and get your suspension components based on the heavier weight.
You re right. I started out creating an Offroad rig. Along the way I was in a motorcycle wreck. I used it to travel around the country with my club. Scared the hell out of me enough that I gave it up after 50+ years of riding. Now I am fixing it up to overland and am trying to work around what I have. Im retired and on a fixed income so am buying/collecting parts/accessories when I get some extra cash. I know where you guys are coming from and I coulda woulda shoulda but I didn't. I appreciate any advice I can get in these forums that'll help me with the building and preserving my rig.
You’re on the right path to collect knowledge, but don’t let that bog you down. Sounds like the rig and parts you have now are totally usable. I’d say start making trips and building experience, each trip you will gain perspective on what you might want to change or leave as is.
No coilovers as of yet but spoke with my installer/mechanic today and we discussed icons in a couple of years. Currently bronco is comfortable though it rolls more than I expected rock climbing a bit, nothing exaggerated. As I mentioned 65-70% is paved city/highway and rest is off-road. The more stable the better for the wife who gets car sick.
Might consider a set of Eibach HD springs for your stock colovers then, but really, if you're happy with the current ride, and planning some icon coilovers on a few years, you're probably good until then.
That is why @87-Z28 brought up CG, center of gravity. The higher the vehicle gets thru larger diameter tires and body or suspension lift, the more "tippy" the vehicle will feel. Add a whole bunch of roof top weight which is above the roll center axis, and the tippy will get much worse. It also increases the frontal area of the truck, which is a significant factor in aerodynamic drag.
Decided on 5.13 after all.
