Westieterrier
OBS Enthusiast
POSTSCRIPT: I cannot thank you gentlemen enough for all of your thoughtful insights here. Honestly, it wouldn't have turned out this good without you. So, I successfully installed the KYB Monomax's front and rear today on a day off from work (I'm not a tradesman by profession, so it took 6 hours with hand tools) and they are so far really great. The rears raised the sitting height by 3/4" and the front by ½". To answer a few questions posed earlier: my aluminum rims are Ultra, a brand I've never heard of, but they are stamped "Made in the USA"; 16 X 8 T85 aluminum (one-piece milled, I believe); and are rated for 3,000 lbs each. I think they'll clean up nice too with some work, so they're gonna stay (esp. bec. US made). The overseas tires, however, are rated for 2400 lbs and are 4-ply, so they'll have to go. Rears first; probably BFG A/T in the biggest size that will fit an 8-inch rim.
I estimate my 1988 Camper wet weight at 3,500 lbs because the orig owner, a gentleman farmer out in Banks, Oregon, told me that is what it weighed when he checked it decades ago while it was fully loaded with his large family's gear. My truck weighs in at 5,150 lbs. on the tractor trailer scales. With the dirt bike out front I know I will be pushing a bit over the 8,600 lbs. GVWR, but . . . I'm a standard cab 2Wd 2500 with the 10.5 rear, 8-lug wheels, and soon-to-install One-Ton factory helper springs, so reasonable in my non-expert opinion. No front diff. or transfer case, etc. and only two doors with zero options gives me this leeway. The truck is so much fun to drive that I'm grabbing the keys all the time instead of my prudent daily ride. Man, it's expensive on gas, though !! But so damn comfortable and easy to drive (not kidding here!).
A few notes on install: make your life easier by removing the front wheels and fender-well splash guard before tackling the difficult 1/4" threaded rod that holds the unit in place; be wary of the lower bolts as they can snap in the control arms (did not happen to me); the rears can be done with both wheels on; un-lifted; and the spare in place. But for God's sake, strap the rear shock in the closed position before trying to wrestle them in place, otherwise it's like bench-pressing 200 lbs with your one palm while lying on concrete-- not fun, even if you're strong enough like myself. Lastly, while you're on your back, grab your grease gun and hit every Zerk you see-- my driveshaft is in two pieces (WTF??) and there was even one there between the two shafts (btw, what is that so?). A few random pics below. Thanks again guys-- this forum is truly awesome.
I estimate my 1988 Camper wet weight at 3,500 lbs because the orig owner, a gentleman farmer out in Banks, Oregon, told me that is what it weighed when he checked it decades ago while it was fully loaded with his large family's gear. My truck weighs in at 5,150 lbs. on the tractor trailer scales. With the dirt bike out front I know I will be pushing a bit over the 8,600 lbs. GVWR, but . . . I'm a standard cab 2Wd 2500 with the 10.5 rear, 8-lug wheels, and soon-to-install One-Ton factory helper springs, so reasonable in my non-expert opinion. No front diff. or transfer case, etc. and only two doors with zero options gives me this leeway. The truck is so much fun to drive that I'm grabbing the keys all the time instead of my prudent daily ride. Man, it's expensive on gas, though !! But so damn comfortable and easy to drive (not kidding here!).
A few notes on install: make your life easier by removing the front wheels and fender-well splash guard before tackling the difficult 1/4" threaded rod that holds the unit in place; be wary of the lower bolts as they can snap in the control arms (did not happen to me); the rears can be done with both wheels on; un-lifted; and the spare in place. But for God's sake, strap the rear shock in the closed position before trying to wrestle them in place, otherwise it's like bench-pressing 200 lbs with your one palm while lying on concrete-- not fun, even if you're strong enough like myself. Lastly, while you're on your back, grab your grease gun and hit every Zerk you see-- my driveshaft is in two pieces (WTF??) and there was even one there between the two shafts (btw, what is that so?). A few random pics below. Thanks again guys-- this forum is truly awesome.
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