softer suspension

[samba040]

Hi ,,, i currently own a 2002 gu cab chassis ... it has coil front and leaf rear .. i find that the ride is very rigid and bouncy making it very uncomfortable .. just wondering has anyone got any suggestions how to soften the ride ,,,cheers

[oldmate]

It's probably mostly the rear doing the bouncing, as the leaves are set up for load carrying. Provided you don't intend on loading the tray up too much, you can remove quite a few leaves from the pack. You could also look at a custom pack with a better setup (thicker, fewer leaves). But start by checking if your current leaf packs are standard or uprated by a previous owner. It will all have to be custom, because 100 percent of the aftermarket leaf spring stuff is all about either load carrying, or lifted springs. And by nature lifted springs need to be firmer to stop them sagging.

[SuperiorEngineering]

It's probably mostly the rear doing the bouncing, as the leaves are set up for load carrying. Provided you don't intend on loading the tray up too much, you can remove quite a few leaves from the pack. You could also look at a custom pack with a better setup (thicker, fewer leaves). But start by checking if your current leaf packs are standard or uprated by a previous owner. It will all have to be custom, because 100 percent of the aftermarket leaf spring stuff is all about either load carrying, or lifted springs. And by nature lifted springs need to be firmer to stop them sagging.

Not trying to step on your toes here but actually thinner and more leaves will give you a better ride and flex way better.

Just to explain a bit because i am sure this will stir up a few opinions but this is from experience back in the early 2002+ when we did heaps with leaf springs and way to much R & D.

Example : say your leaf pack is 50mm overall thickness.
To carry weight 6x 8mm leaves will flex less and carry weight better then 10 x 5mm leaves, BUT 5mm x 10 leaves will be a considerable amount softer pack and out flex the other pack buy heaps.

The reason is very simple and it comes down to each single leaf because they support themselves a 5mm leaf is way weaker and softer than a 8mm leaf.

Also harshness in suspension comes down to shocks as well so depending on what shock you have fitted it could be either the spring pack or the shocks but as stated most probably the leaf springs on the rear.
Michael.