Leafspring over compression? - (pics)

[Tankota]

I just finished installing crossover steering on my '81 pickup and I'm not sure how far it is safe to flex the leaf springs.
My springs area AllPro 2.5" buggy packs. I got a really good deal on them 'cause they were unused returns that had been battered during shipping. Anyway I put the truck on a forklift at work to get maximum flex and compression, and I'm a little uneasy about how far they can reverse flex or bend backwards.
These springs do flex really well and I love the ride. I get 27" when I lift from the rear and 24" when I lift from the front. My rear springs are still pretty stiff, but I plan to so something about that soon.

Take a look at the pics and let me know what you think.

Lifting from the front

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8df03b3127cceb476082eb02b00000026100AatGTRw2YuW Og

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8df03b3127cceb476082cb02900000026100AatGTRw2YuW Og

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8df03b3127cceb4760817312200000025100AatGTRw2YuW Og

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8df03b3127cceb4761727f0b500000026100AatGTRw2YuW Og

Lifting from the rear

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8df03b3127cceb476172e718c00000026100AatGTRw2YuW Og

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8df03b3127cceb476172a718800000026100AatGTRw2YuW Og

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8df03b3127cceb476171471b600000026100AatGTRw2YuW Og

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8df03b3127cceb476171e71bc00000026100AatGTRw2YuW Og

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8df03b3127cceb476170471a600000026100AatGTRw2YuW Og

from the front again

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8df03b3127cceb476170e71ac00000026100AatGTRw2YuW Og

I know theres alot of pics, but I appreciat any input. Thanks.

[4x4mike]

I've seen older trucks with stock leafs that look worse than that. I think you'd have to worried the the axle would move up too far and contact you oil pan, etc. Are the springs stiff enough? Give desired lift? I run then and watch for fatigue.

[Tankota]

I've seen older trucks with stock leafs that look worse than that. I think you'd have to worried the the axle would move up too far and contact you oil pan, etc. Are the springs stiff enough? Give desired lift? I run then and watch for fatigue.


Actually when I first installed the components, I bottomed out in a ditch and smacked the steering stabiliser on the oilpan. No damage done and that issue is all taken care of now.
I think the springs are a perfect stiffness. Not jarring and inflexible but not all soggy either. I could have gone higher with the lift but I wanted to keep mu CG as low as possible.
My main concern was that over compressing the leafs might dearch them and cause them to sag prematurally.

[4runnerchevy]

Just using your springs will wear them out. Reversing them will wear them out quicker. It is the nature of leaf and coil springs. I run real flexy springs, and I beat the heck out of them, I have to replace them every few years, but that is the nature of wheeling. How about your shocks, are they bottoming out on compression ? Its hard to tell with those boots on. I remove my boots cause they trap water and mud. Looks good :thumbup:

[Tankota]

Your right, that is true. I drive the truck alot and the only time the springs will get full compression is while wheeling, which is a lesser percentge of the time.
As for the shocks, they have just about an inch when the bumps contact. The upper bump is compressable but even if i bottom it hard I shouldnt run out of shock travel. I think I'm gonna take those boots off too.
Thanks for the input.

[Elvota]

General rule of thumb with leaves is to not let them go negative. In that case, you need to increase your bumpstops slightly.

Stopping at flat is best to maximize your springs longevity.

But, I have seen people get by with what you currently have and worse.

[4runnerchevy]

I run rears up front, and actually shot for a flatter pack with some lift. I wanted super flexy, and if they reverse arc, so be it. My current springs have seen the entire rubicon 3 times, and countless excursions. My personal opinion is keep it high enough to stuff whatever tire your going to run. I stuff 36" tires at full compression without an insane lift and get a comfortable ride. Just play with it and find what feels right.

[Robinhood4x4]

General rule of thumb with leaves is to not let them go negative. In that case, you need to increase your bumpstops slightly.

Stopping at flat is best to maximize your springs longevity.

But, I have seen people get by with what you currently have and worse.


Ditto.

[4runnerchevy]

What you got is probably good. I think you will get a comfortable ride and be able to take the rocks. There are alot of cookie cutter springs out there, and owners. Most of the lift springs out there couldn't even go flat, but they make you look so cool, way up high. :smokin:.

[Tankota]

Thanks for all the info. Since I have relatively low lift height, I think I will leave the settup as it is for now. being only 2.5" (possibly 3") springs they will go negative in only a few inches. But they still stretch way the heck out. If they were say, 5" springs then they would have to travel alot farther to go flat.
I still need to install an axel leveler plate on the left spring pad though. I read somewhere that older axels didnt need the pad, but it looks like mine does. Anyone know anything about that.

[Elvota]

I am not sure if the leveler plates are year specific. My suggestion would be to run the truck for a while and let everything settle. If you notice a lean at that point, add the spacer to correct.

If there is a very obvious discrepancy in height right off the bat, then the leveler can be installed from the beginning.

[Tankota]

At the moment there is a slight lean to the drivers side (no I'm not fat) of about and inch or so. I know the leveler plate will only take care of like 3/8 or 1/2 inch. The driver side spring seems to have a slightly different arc than passanger though. Could be they are just settling at different rates.

[4runnerchevy]

I have seen older springs wear out on one side. Arn't your springs new ? It can't be a perfect world, just shim it if it doesnt flatten out.

[Tankota]

They both seemed to be equal for the first few days after installing the springs. After test flexing with the fork lift and wheeling an easy fire road there was a noticeable difference.