coil or leaf??

[G_loomis]

I know this has been bashed around a bit, but I am not goin to ask the expected question (which is better?)

what I want to know is this...

Now I have a lot more room on my HJ60 in regards to articulation in the back, I want to get as much travel as I can.

I have the option of going to coil but I like the idea of having a leaf sprung truck which will match the coil sprung vehicles.

So if I got a longer set of leaves made for the rear, and get them made softer as well. (vehicle no longer required for towing) would that come close to what a coil conversion would produce? I know this is a farily general question, but what would you do?

I dont want to adjust the wheelbase, so that means moving both the leaf hanger, and shackle hanger (if I get longer leaves made up). This isnt a problem! and that saves the hassle of setting up a coil conversion.

Basically I am trying to decide which way to go, and I only have a short time to make the decision.

I dont claim to be an expert in this field by ay means, but thats obvious by me asking this question I guess...but to my way of thinking if I got a softer, longer set of leaves made...and had extended shackles fitted...and had the shackle angle pretty dramatic (with a bumpstop placed in position so the shackle could not go horizontal, that would give great travel yer?

the bumpstop would stop the shackle hitting the chassis rail, and in theory, still allow the leaf pack to travel upwards.

something like the following pic maybe....

I know I would lose some ride height by doing this, but one must make sacrifices!

Let me know what you guys think.

[shorty_f0rty]

if you want my 2c?....

and you want to try an keep it on the cheap, id look at doing the following;
- look at different leaves from other spring packs (40,75,etc) that are diff lengths or offset which could help change rear diff position (probly not by much), and
- maybe get away with using stock spring mounts with longer shackles
- reset the soft packs with a bit of lift to get your static height back and help uptravel,
- extend rear shock mounts for longer shocks
- possibly look at 3/4 leaf setup longer term for more flex
- no tub/tray so good no rubbing
- tailshaft mods?

im no expert either cos all ive worked on is my 40. but it could give you some ideas..

what size tyres are you going to be runnin?

i dont see any reason why that setup wouldn't be on par with a coily setup.... and for less work..

[sierrajim]

75 series troopy springs are fairly long, not sure on comparason to the 60 series.

Just be careful that you don't end up with lots of uncontrolled travel in the rear compared to the front. A sloppy back end can make climbing interesting.

[G_loomis]

if you want my 2c?....

and you want to try an keep it on the cheap, id look at doing the following;
- look at different leaves from other spring packs (40,75,etc) that are diff lengths or offset which could help change rear diff position (probly not by much), and
- maybe get away with using stock spring mounts with longer shackles
- reset the soft packs with a bit of lift to get your static height back and help uptravel,
- extend rear shock mounts for longer shocks
- possibly look at 3/4 leaf setup longer term for more flex
- no tub/tray so good no rubbing
- tailshaft mods?

im no expert either cos all ive worked on is my 40. but it could give you some ideas..

what size tyres are you going to be runnin?

i dont see any reason why that setup wouldn't be on par with a coily setup.... and for less work..

I thought of using a leaf pack from another vehicle...but I like the idea of having a custom style setup.

what is 3/4 leaf setup.?

and who would you guys reccomend for gettin fleaf packs made up...are Carrolls Springs any good...or should I look elsewhere.

[sierrajim]

what is 3/4 leaf setup.?

on a zook but will give you an idea.

Instead of having a fixed shackle mount on the chassis you have a leaf spring clamped over the axle line with a shackle running off that.

Allows for more droop

[shorty_f0rty]

if you want my 2c?....


- look at different leaves from other spring packs (40,75,etc) that are diff lengths or offset which could help change rear diff position (probly not by much), and

I thought of using a leaf pack from another vehicle...but I like the idea of having a custom style setup.

what is 3/4 leaf setup.?

and who would you guys reccomend for gettin fleaf packs made up...are Carrolls Springs any good...or should I look elsewhere.

if you want to use springs from another vehicle you could do the following:
- firstly you probably want to measure your current spring length, and distances to the center pin from each end. you can then go and buy/borrow measure some springs from other cruisers.. to find what other models could fit

- once you have a pair that you want to play with clamp the spring (its always underpressure so clamp when removing center pin) and remove the center pin, remove a few leaves and screw it all back up, throw it under and see how it sits..

instead of goin to a spring place you can source some 2nd hand springs for lengths yourself from a wrecker pretty cheaply (you only need a pair initiialy right?).. so probly only about 70-80$. if you takea spring bush with you to the wreckers you can help figure out which springs you could use..

once you've found something you could probly MYO extended shackles so you get the right angle, length. alternatively purchase some from suprieor or the like and look a spring size to suit. get a few center pins from a suspenion place they should only be a few bucks.

and yeah.. 3/4 leaf aka 3/4 elliptical suspension is where instead of attaching the top of your shackle to the shackle hanger on the chassis, you have half a leaf pack ubolted to the chassis rail, this allows more droop. you can pin it locked for road use if required.. i think screwy has this setup. and heres a pic of it:
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... p?id=15679


http://www.off-road.com/jeep/reviews/3_ ... 4elli.html

[G_loomis]

thanks for all the info guys...its very muchly appreciated!!!

[sniper]

i think they also call that system a buggy leaf system.

A mate of mine had a lux and he cut something in his leaf pack that enabled them to flex big time, could never tow with the car but flex big time. At TT he told me there was alot of luxs doin the same.

I cant tell you what he cut im sorry as i wasnt interested as i have coils so was in one ear out the other. Someone on here is bound to know what he done.

[MR04WD]

Those two pics are of a 'buggy leaf' set up,try '1/4 elliptical',you're only restricted to down travel by the length of your shocks,its what is on the rear of 'shorty40's' buggy,which is also known as the old 'Overkill AZTEC buggy'.