3/4 elliptic rear (buggy leaf) for MQ patrol

[Patchy]

im looking to do my suspension in the near future and was wondering if many people have done a 3/4 arrangement to the rear of their patols. my plan was to get around a 3" lifted springs and use my old main leaves cut in 1/2 to make the 3/4 arangement, i realise the problems associated in this arrangement such as: twisting of the springs decreases their life, would these shacles help eliviate this prob? http://www.superiorengineering.com.au/shackles.htm
also i would make a bracket up so the top leaf could be pinned on road

[lay80n]

Screwy Screwball has a 3/4 rear setup. There were heaps of pics of it but i think the site crash ruined them. Try PM'ing him for some pics or info.

Layto....

[NZ4x4]

I wouldnt be running 3/4 elliptical and rotating drop shackles. it would be too unpredictable in my books. I would go with one or the other.

(i have rotating drop shackles on my MK so i do actually know how the shackles work in real life)

[badger]

you willnot need 3/4 eliptic with those shackles as they both prety much do the same thing................. 3/4 eliptic does it better tho in my mind, as it loads up and unloads in a more linear fasion.

b4 i got my bundy i was bout to buy a mq and had looked into this
the best trick i have seen is a set up where the shackle between the half leaf and the lower leaf pack extends upwards so it can be pinned to the chassis for road and speed use and disconnected for crawling to reduce the twisting of springs also a track bar would be a good idea
you could also rig up a panhard rod for speed use if you wanted as this will reduce alot of the twisting onroad but would be useless ofroad


solution = coils

[Patchy]

I wouldnt be running 3/4 elliptical and rotating drop shackles. it would be too unpredictable in my books. I would go with one or the other.

(i have rotating drop shackles on my MK so i do actually know how the shackles work in real life)

how have you found them? i have read they have problems when unloaded

[Patchy]

i was considering the option or a track bar, but i thought keeping it sua would elevate any real need for a track bar.

the other thing is price, alot cheaper to do a 3/4 elliptic. just a litle concerned about premature failure of the springs.
I want to run 35's and i have no problem about cutting my guards what is generally needed in way of lift to do this not to keen on body lifts but if i have to fit a small body lift in i will

[badger]

with leaves you dont want to much lift, keep em flat and you get more flex
so id say keep stock springs and go with extended shackles

then put the 35's on and flex it up
where ever it hits remove it
2 inch body lift will help tho. and they arent that bad when you have no other lift

soa and sua is a much heated debate on here lol
but you will wreck alot less springs with sua ......... especially with buggy leaf

[NZ4x4]

I wouldnt be running 3/4 elliptical and rotating drop shackles. it would be too unpredictable in my books. I would go with one or the other.

(i have rotating drop shackles on my MK so i do actually know how the shackles work in real life)

how have you found them? i have read they have problems when unloaded

They work well and I have found that they are quite predictable and have a controlled downwards movement. (They don’t just flop out like people say, well on my truck anyway)

There are a few problems getting the shocks all fitted up and driveshaft’s clearing so that the shackles can be used to their full potential.


I am just finishing a write up that will be posted on another site. Will send you a link when it is done.

[Patchy]

thanx NZ4x4 i have read a bit about your vehicle when i did a search. i noticed your rear shocks were to short and your front drive shaft hit a cross member or something. so i take it you havent fixed these problems? i look forward to see how you have done your suspension, prob get some good ideas

[Patchy]

the best trick i have seen is a set up where the shackle between the half leaf and the lower leaf pack extends upwards so it can be pinned to the chassis for road and speed use and disconnected for crawling to reduce the twisting of springs also a track bar would be a good idea
you could also rig up a panhard rod for speed use if you wanted as this will reduce alot of the twisting onroad but would be useless ofroad


solution = coils

do you know if they had used longer leaves or just moved the 1/2 leaf forward slightly? do you know where you seen this?
sounds easy enough either way you do this, the only example of securing the top leaf i have seen is doing just that and having the top leaf pinned and leaving the shackel to do its thing

and theres nothing wrong with leaf springs.

[NZ4x4]

thanx NZ4x4 i have read a bit about your vehicle when i did a search. i noticed your rear shocks were to short and your front drive shaft hit a cross member or something. so i take it you havent fixed these problems? i look forward to see how you have done your suspension, prob get some good ideas

No i havnt fixed these problems, but for now everything is working fine, still plenty of flex..
I have sent a PM with a link to my write up.

[buddha]

heres a pic of mine with 2" springs, extended shackles and 35s, with no guard cutting.

[buddha]

and here it is after droping the spring hangers down 2.5", and a minimal guard chop at the front.

[Patchy]

tidy looking rig buddha

[badger]

no idea where it was i searched google for buggy leaf i think

i beleive they just put it together without the diff (car on blacks) and mlaced the upper leaf where it looked like the shackle was on the right angle if that helps