Spring mount reinforcement
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 12:38 pm
Has anyone had expereince with reinforcing GU coil cab rear top spring mounts. What is the best way to strenghten them.
I have seen and repaired several broken GQ/GU rear spring perches. I recently reinforced my own GQ ute. Every example I have seen has been severely overloaded (500+ kgs over GVM) and fitted with 24 or 28 mm springs and/or poly air helper springs. Standard spring wire size is 17mm. My vehicle is fitted with 20mm springs at 2inch lift and although I dont plan on overloading, I reinforced it any way.
I welded a piece of 35x65 3mm wall tubing from the crosstube that the shocks mount to running forwards along the inner edge of the spring perch. At the front edge of the perch the tube was cut at an angle and rewelded, descending at an angle to the cross tube that lives in front of the axle. A notch had to be cut in the underside of the tubing near the spring perch to allow clearance for the upper control arms on full bump. If you have a large lift with extended bumpstops this isn't required.
A bar can be simply welded across the two perches to the same effect but is ugly and sticks up above the rest of the chassis taking away room for under tray drawers or spare wheels. it also cant be don on a wagon.
I have photos of the whole operation if you leave me an address.