60 series suspension help please!

[hj6089]

Hi I have a 60 series 80 model with 2 inch lift heavey duty springs all round.
Up till now i have been happy with the set up it has been mainly for touring and towing.
Now though i want to get away from the heavy spring set up and get into a bit of movement out of the suspension I am not after anything hardcore just a bit more movement what do people think is a good set up. I do not really want to loose the road handling i have but i do understand that for a bit of flex i will loose out a bit on the road.

[Wambat]

on your leaf pack you will see at the very bottom of it some thick short leaves, these are what makes it able to handle the large heavy loads,

you could try removing two of them, i would maybe go the second and third, and leave the first so you had some load carrying capacity.

but remember, every time you change leaf packs you should use new u bolts( it is recommended as when you torque up the bolts they stretch just that little bit) but some people may not use new ones every time they change(some people do play with their spring packs alot to get them working well they have to pull them apart a fair bit)

saying that, 60s usualy have some good flex, try having a look in the 60 photo page, there is a small amount of discussion on spring set ups, and pics of them flexing

[4x4motorsport]

as Wambat cited, taking some of the thicker load carrying leaves out of your spring pack will soften your spring noticeably, allowing for more flex and a more supple ride. if you're not overly keen on toying with your spring pack set-up, my old man had a 2in lift kit in his 60 from old man emu and those springs settled well and flexed (i personally think) considerably well for an off the shelf item.
different car i know, but a friend of mine can't speak highly enough of "ulitmate" brand springs which he has in his hj47 troopy. he thinks they ride better than any leaf springs he's had, and he's owned a bucket load of old cruisers.
also take into consideration your shock absorbers when considering changes to your suspension...if you lighten your springs but still want to be able to carry load every now and then, adjustbale shocks can assist with this (for example) by seting them soft for offroad and harder for towing?

[hj6089]

Thanks very much for replies and imformation.

[oldmate]

You could stick some drop shackles in the back and keep the heavy duty leaves. The drop shackles have pins to lock them so it will handle the same on road, and still carry the weight.

[craz3d]

You could stick some drop shackles in the back and keep the heavy duty leaves. The drop shackles have pins to lock them so it will handle the same on road, and still carry the weight.

and be very illegal onroad

[Wambat]

plus to get a drop shackle system working properly, it takes just as much friging around with as to get the packs working on their own.


efs supposable is good for off the shelf flex(that is where i think i will start for my 75)

[BadMav]

Not to mention BIG off set wheels to clear the chassis when articulated. I never got mine to work because of that before I sold it.

[richardsc]

also being an older 60,u could bang some newer 60 series anti sway bars on it for on road if u soften up your pack for off road,just remove them for off road