[Zukeeper]

hi guys sorry for another RUF post in advance

i have a WT sj70 hardtop sierra currently sitting on rock solid 2" king spring lift with 31" tires. i am looking into doing a RUF conversion very shortly on it and am not looking at making it myself. i have looked at low range offroad RUF missing link kit and also Rocky road outfitters also. has anyone used this kits or can anyone shed anymore light on what is needed other than the kit along with pros and cons of doing it ?(going SPOA btw)

when doin the conversion do i get 2 sets of rear springs ? looking at gettin OME 40mm rears

i use the car as a daily and just want more comfort and flex which i think the RUF will provide me. if anyone can provide the link to threads on here or any advise would be appreciated thanks

[Blkfxx]

Re:missing links - http://www.auszookers.com/forum/viewtop ... =5&t=48808

[Gwagensteve]

Missing links are a terrible idea. They were a dodgy idea in 1996 or whenever Glenn Wakefield dreamed them up as a quick way to run rears in the front, and they're no less dodgy now.

In fact, this just reminded me of a very funny bit of the 1996 (or whenever it was) Four Wheeler Top Truck Challenge video. Tim Hardy is scrutineering the cars, comes to Glenn's "zukini" running RUF with missing links. Shakes the car side to side watching the missing links do their spooky little wobbly dance, and gives this little shake of his head. Words weren't required.

RUF is a reasonable amount of work. Do it once and do it right.

[MrRocky]

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=2174&start=120

Non fab ruf

[Zukeeper]

ok so ill definetly steer clear of the missing link setup thanks blkfxx for that thread mate really opened my eyes.
as for the conversion i now figure that the most effective and safest way to achieve the ruf conversion is to relocate the front hanger forward?
i take it the diff moves forward seeing as a longer spring is fitted aswell.

bit off topic but how does a virtual lift compair to a RUF conversion in terms of ride quality for a daily and safely controlled flexing ?

[Gwagensteve]

Virtual lift is just cutting the guards for tyre clearance. It makes absolutely no difference to ride quality or flex.

RUF with a relocated front hanger (known as "full RUF) moves the front axle forwards approximately 40mm. for some of us, that is a major benefit as it improves firewall clearance and adds wheelbase which reduces weight transfer and improves climbing ability. However, it's a lot more work. In an SJ70, I like to inboard the springs so they are under the chassis like they are in an SJ50 - this improves tyre clearance and reduces roll stiffness. This is more work on top of more work.

So-called "1/2 RUF" involves re-drilling the rear spring hanger back and running a longer shackle. This doesn't move the front axle forward so there is little extra fabrication involved, no issues with drag link and tie rod interference or driveshaft length. Obviously doesn't help firewall clearance or increase wheelbase. It will still improve flex and ride.

For a daily driver on 31's. I'd consider 1/2 RUF. It's not my preference, but I think it would work just fine for you.

[MrRocky]

As mentioned in the link i posted, efs do a hd lwb rear leaf pack.
It is possible to use this spring in ruf configuration with no mods at all other than longer brake lines and washers to space the shocks rearward slightly. The advantage is this clears the firewall enough to fit a skinny 32" tyre with no dramas and gives you enough shackle angle to smooth the ride noticeably.
The other 2 options of redrilling the spring perch or moving the front hangers yeild a better ride and more flex that come with a longer spring but for a simple upgrade with minimum effort the efs hd lwb rear spring works well.

[MrRocky]

The efs hd lwb spring is shorter than a stock swb rear spring.
I should also mention you will need slightly longer shackle to run the lwb rears although i havent tried with stock shackles yet they may actually work i will know in a couple weeks when i return my to a stock set

[Zukeeper]

so is the ruf kit provided by rocky road outfitters classified as a full RUF as it just eliminates the chopping and welding ?