| Topic: Dexter HD Suspension & EZ-Flex Install (long w/ pictures) |
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Posted By: Truckboy
on 08/03/10 10:46pm
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Real nice job and nice write up. This type of mod and shocks are in my future as well. However I was going to go with the Trail Aire in place of the Dexter.
To your comment on the cheap nylon bushings, that is not a Skyline exclusive. Mine also have the same cheap nylon bushings and talk to me each time I do a turn on the TT reminding me just how cheap they are...
Thanks for sharing
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Posted By: LAdams
on 09/14/10 09:37am
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I have just revisited this thread after many months and see that quite a few more folks have done the Dexter HD conversion... I'm glad that the contributions of myself, John Barca, Barney Smith, Turk2500 and many, many others who have contributed has been of use to our membership... I hope that others who have not seen the thread yet will benefit from it just as others have...
My HD suspension has been on now for almost 2 years and is performing flawlessly... AAMOF, we just finished 4000+ mile trip out to the 4 corners area in August and some of the roads traveled were in pretty rough shape... The TT towed quite well and never felt out of control despite some terrible road conditions and IMO the suspension mod was responsible for this...
Maybe one of these days, I'll get around to installing shocks on the TT too...
Les
2000 Ford F-250SD, XLT, 4X4 Off Road, SuperCab
w/ 6.8L (415 C.I.) V-10/3:73LS/4R100
Banks Power Pack w/Trans Command & OttoMind
Sold Trailer - not RV'ing at this point in time
HUNTER THERMOSTAT INSTALL
HOME MADE WHEEL CHOCKS
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Posted By: bigirish2
on 09/22/10 04:31pm
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I just had the Dexter EZ Flex installed on my 27 ft TT. Took it to Jacobson Trailer in central California and it took the tech 2 hours to do the job. Bill was $121 and worth every penny. Guess what I am saying is that it might be a good idea to see what your local trailer dealer will want to install them if you don't want to use up a day doing it yourself.
Mike
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Posted By: CT51
on 10/07/10 07:36pm
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Don't know how often people are checking this post, but I just spent the afternoon attempting to install the EZ Flex system on a new Palomino Puma. Started on one side, jacked unit up, supported frame, and had two floor jacks under the axles. Since everything was new, shackels came off easily, as did equalizer. Put new equalizer on, no problems. Removed the nylon bushing from the spring, and got ready to press in a bronze bushing, and the bushing just slid right in-no friction at all. Turns out my axles are Lippert, and apparently the inside diminsion of the spring eye is a tiny bit larger than the Dexter. The bolts are identical (7/16). I had assumed the inside and outside dimensions of the bronze bushings was an industry standard, since they appear identical in all respects. Went on Lipperts website, as well as called them, and have bronze bushings being overnighted. Hoping they will fit properly. I was surprised that with all the posts on this topic, no one ran into this problem. Obviously, since the inside dimension is the same, the Lippert bushing has thicker walls. This probably doesn't matter on the bronze bushing, but could be useful on the nylon bushing for longer life. Will see tomorrow what I get and how it fits in the Lippert spring eye.
CT51
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Posted By: JBarca
on 10/07/10 07:49pm
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There are many of us who are subscribed to this thread. Thanks for posting. Now wonder if the bushing is larger or the spring is just bigger by accident. Are all eyes on that side have the same issue?
My springs where not Dexters and the Dexter bushing fit. H'mm maybe Lippert has something different. Curios as to what you find out. Good luck.
John
John & Cindy
2005 Ford F350 Super Duty, 4x4; 6.8L V10 with 4.10
CC, SB, Lariat & FX4 package
21,000 GCWR, 11,000 GVWR
Ford Tow Command
1,700# Reese HP hitch & HP Dual Cam
2 1/2" Towbeast Receiver
2004 Sunline Solaris T310SR
(I wish we were camping!)
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Posted By: CT51
on 10/07/10 09:30pm
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Once I found one didn't fit, I didn't go any furthur. Will find out tomorrow. Lippert's web site shows the ID and OD of their bushings. OD is .70. Just holding the nylon one that I took out you can see that the sidewalls are much thicker. Will post again when all is done.
CT51
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Posted By: CT51
on 10/10/10 10:06am
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The bushings arrived from Lippert-they were identical to the ones that came from Dexter, so consequently they were a loose fit also. It is quite obvious with the naked eye that the bushings that came in the springs have a considerably thicker sidewall. I called Lippert back and went over the whole thing. It was Friday afternoon and the
"axle department" had gone home for the weekend. The guy I talked to, who was a manager, took all my information and was going to go over it Monday with someone from axles, and then call me. My springs are marked "TRP TRU RYDE" on top, and also "2010.5". Our guess is that the supplier of the springs to Lippert has made a production change to allow a more durable stock bushing. However, this may preclude ever installing the wet bolt kit, as there may be no bronze bushing currently made at this larger OD. This is all typical for me-take something perfectly good, try to make it better, and end up creating a lot of trouble. I'll probably end up having to replace the spring, because I don't know how I would press a nylon bushing back into the spring eye-it was an extremely tight fit. Will see what I learn tomorrow.
CT51
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Posted By: Learjet
on 10/10/10 01:07pm
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On my AL-KO axles...I had some very loose and some very tight on my install, and couple just right.
2017 Ram Big Horn, DRW Long Box, 4x4, Cummins, Aisin, 3.73
2022 Jayco Pinnacle 32RLTS, Onan 5500, Disc Brakes, 17.5" tires
B&W Ram Companion
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Posted By: CT51
on 10/11/10 07:34pm
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The saga continues. Didn't get much help from Lippert today. They just said there's only one size bushing, and my spring eyes much be wallowed out. I explained again that my bushings were noticeable thicker to accomodate the larger spring eye opening,and that the trailer only had the miles from Indiana to Georgia. They said they would get back to me, but of course never did.
I then found TRP's website, and sent an email describing the whole affair. Within ten minutes, I was called by a gentlement offering help. I explained the problem, and he went out to the warehouse, and measured several springs. TRP uses several suppliers for these springs,and when he found the springs I had, the ID of the spring eye turned out to be .722, which is a far cry from the .6875 that Lippert claimed they all had. The guy helping me actually drove out one of the nylon bushings to complete the measurements. He is going to talk to the owner of TRP tomorrow, and see about sending me four new springs with the correct eye ID, so that I can complete the bronze bushing modification. He was actually a little concerned that his vendor had changed the spec that much with out their knowledge.
This will be some more hassle, but in the end will be the best outcome. Changing the springs will only add a couple hours to the job, and at least I'll be able to press the bronze bushings in the new springs while they are on the workbench, rather than under the RV.
CT51
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Posted By: JBarca
on 10/12/10 07:41pm
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CT51
WOW... TRP I would say is being a great asset here. You can't beat good customer service. Here they are trying to correct something that you did not even order from them but yet they supplied. I'm glad to see we still have suppliers like this. I know I will remember that TRP name when I need to change out my springs.
Good luck and keep us posted.
John
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