88s or 89s for armor?

[drburke]

I was doing some quick searching and realized I couldn't find a conclusive answer. Hardtrailz switched from 88 to 89, Regulator was looking for 88s hardcore at one point.. I'm not sure what to make of it.

Now that we have the availability of 87 and 88s, would it be more beneficial to go with one for armor (bumper, skids) instead of 89s? I know the question is kind of vague, but I can't decide between 88s or 89s for front bumper/skids + lift, and would rather swap out springs once. The chart tells me there's only ~.15 inch difference on wheel lift (coming from 81), so in theory it really shouldn't matter. If that's the case, I'm saving myself ~$80 and going with 88s.

[DirtyBacon04]

thats what I thought at first, but had to get 89s due to lack of availiability of others. That being said, I'm glad I got 89s once they settled. Remember I have bumper, rad skid, oil skid. No winch. I think anything softer than 89s or 88s would be too soft. I VERY rarely bottom or top out nowadays (no florida jokes allowed). If you have just rad and oil skid, I think 86 or 87 would be perfect. I think 87s with a bumper/winch would get very "squishy" once settled.

[RyansTBLS]

(no florida jokes allowed).

[drburke]

Scouring around, I ran across a hill in Florida!




...made of sand.




Back on topic, I'm fine with going with 89s, but now that the options opened, I didn't know if anyone would suggest going with anything other than 89s fully loaded. Kind of like a "coulda woulda" situation.

[DirtyBacon04]

with our hobby, and how everyone is always going bigger and badder, I dont wanna buy new springs everytime i add more shit. If someone was legit content with simple lift and 265 tires and rad/oil armor, 87's are perfect. But very few of those people exist...

This is my dirty opinion. I'm sure one of our professional engineers will jump in with some fancy coil spring rate vs armor weight + climate/topography formula.

[AWCougar]

This is my dirty opinion. I'm sure one of our professional engineers will jump in with some fancy coil spring rate vs armor weight + climate/topography formula.

Well since you mentioned it... With the constant onslaught of heat and humidity of Florida the cookies there tend to be not crunch and chips go stale quicker

But i am looking at 89`s for the exact reason of "will i add more" and "More bigger, More better"

[DirtyBacon04]

Now lets not all forget... I ran full armor on the front of my rig for several weeks with.... 81s...... So i know what heavy front + soft springs feel like. However, I've never run light weight front with stiff springs, i can't imagine it would be very comfy.

[Trail X]

I'd suggest if you have a winch permanently mounted with bumper and rad and oil skids, go with 89s.

For each item you don't have, go down a digit. I find 87s to be fine with my two aluminum skids and bumper, but when I add the winch, I sometimes wish I had something a tad stiffer.

Either way you do it, with whatever springs, make sure you do the washer mod.

[Blazintrails03]

I have moog 81110's and marks old kit in front and even with my front hitch I feel I need the washers

[HARDTRAILZ]

I have 88s. Never tried 89s. I have some new moog 14 springs to try sometime. I have never tried to washer trick because I don't want to do the struts again til I have to. Done literally dozens of tines and no desire to do anymore.

[v7guy]

I've had a interesting past with my 89s, I'm not entirely sure I've found the right combination of parts to make the whole front end happy for any length of time. Using the washers seemed to make a big difference, I only recently put them in when I broke a shock this last time.
Without a bumper and winch I think it's probably not the best idea to use them.
In addition you need to keep an eye on the rubber bushings up top, I'm moving to some poly pieces soon since the rubber bushings seem to wear out so quick.

[drburke]

A winch won't always be mounted, just the bumper and skids. Appreciate the opinions.

[whiplash]

I'd suggest if you have a winch permanently mounted with bumper and rad and oil skids, go with 89s.

For each item you don't have, go down a digit. I find 87s to be fine with my two aluminum skids and bumper, but when I add the winch, I sometimes wish I had something a tad stiffer.

Either way you do it, with whatever springs, make sure you do the washer mod.

Couldn't find it in search. What is the washer mod?

[drburke]

From JamesDowning's build, but used by many.