Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Just thinking about ways to soften up the rear of my Dual Cab Hilux. It already has Polly Airs in there to help with the big loads. Now I was just wondering what people think of pulling a couple of leafs out of the pack to soften the ride when unloaded and then use the poly airs more to compensate.

Any comments ?

it will soften the ride, as their will be less interleaf friction and less weight needed to compress the pack, but at the expense of axle wrap. the softer spring pack will wrap more on accell and hill climbing, shortening the life of the uni at the diff end of your rear driveshaft.

i have also been wondering about this. i need new suspension and was considering getting a light duty leaf pack and polys. would i have axle wrap probs with a dobinson light duty pack as opposed to pulling leaves from a std pack?

I don't think axle wrap is going to be a real problem if you think about which leafs you take out. For example the load leafs could be pulled with no effect on dily driving at all. This would give a more progressive spring rate and lighter rear end. The poly airs could then take over at those times when you would have needed the load springs.

I know Fred's Coil conversions pull out all bar the two springs with the Wraps on them and he swears there is no issues with wrap, although I hear otherwise.

My current plan is to pull the bottom few out and see what happens. I can't see the 2.8 diesel engine creating to many wrap issues.

Brad wrote:I don't think axle wrap is going to be a real problem if you think about which leafs you take out. For example the load leafs could be pulled with no effect on dily driving at all. This would give a more progressive spring rate and lighter rear end. The poly airs could then take over at those times when you would have needed the load springs.

I know Fred's Coil conversions pull out all bar the two springs with the Wraps on them and he swears there is no issues with wrap, although I hear otherwise.

My current plan is to pull the bottom few out and see what happens. I can't see the 2.8 diesel engine creating to many wrap issues.

Get someone to jump in you lux .. hop in a car and follow them .. get a few "hard starts" going .. check out how much axle wrap they get .. it's quite alot (now imagine 4 wheeling with low range etc ..)

Some sort of wrap limiting device would be a good idea .. while you pulling the leaves I would say ...

We've done this for a few guys,Take the overload leaves out so when the ute is empty it rides soft and then pump up the bags for loads it works well

How many did you take out ??

The overload leafs have nothing to do with axle wrap.... not unless I get some serious ass power in there.

Will let you know how it goes..

Hey did the guys who got it done, notice teh differenace and get a better ride ? Did they do anything to teh front ??

ANything else you think I should look at ?

Definately gives a lot better ride. We took out both overload leaves.
If it is a leaf spring front check the bushes as the standard rubber ones tend to bind to the shackles after a while and can make the front very harsh. Hope this helps

Thanks for that. Everything has less than 1000km on it so shoudl all be good in the wearing department. Will start by taking the overloads out and see how nice it makes it.

Cheers,