Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Does anyone know how the location of the centre pin in a leaf spring set up effects the travel/flex of the spring.

Ie how does it differ from being located in the centre as apossed to being closer to the fixed end or shackle end of the lef.

I know It can increase the wheelbase but what is the best setup for max travel?

Centre is best, look at getting new springs rather than drilling your old ones, that could be nasty.

In the centre is best and the longer the better.

So what if the springs come standard with an offset pin.

Would centering the pin location increase its performance?

Mounting a new spring with equal distance between each eyelet would yes inprove performance. The longer the spring the better.

To mount a spring with a centred bolt you may need to move your mount.

Most commonly done on a FJ40 60 series springs in the rear and move the front mount forward the corresponding distance. Going to do it myself as soon as I can get my hands on some rear 60 leaves for nix.

heres another idea ive been thinking about. what about drilling out a new locating hole in the axle plate meaning the flat bit on the axle that sits on/under the spring. would re drilling a new one to extend wheelbase be better than drilling the leaves? wiuld only give you about 50mm max

For the rear you don`t want it the middle you will get bad axle wrap specialy if they are longer

Basically the spring I am using is a fair bit longer than the standard rears but is heavily offset to the shackle end.

I am extending the chassis to fit them and the increase in wheelbase is fine but I am wondering whether I should bring the centre pin a bit closer
to the middle and sacrifice a bit of wheelbase for flex?

built4thrashing wrote:heres another idea ive been thinking about. what about drilling out a new locating hole in the axle plate meaning the flat bit on the axle that sits on/under the spring. would re drilling a new one to extend wheelbase be better than drilling the leaves? wiuld only give you about 50mm max

redrilling the spring perch and the spring plate/pad works. did this with my 55 series leafs in the rear of the 40. just make sure you get them exact cause otherwise the car crabwalks down the road. advantage is, no weakened leafs, and you can revert it to stock if you have to.

i regained 1.5 inches, which was enough for me to clear my lpg cylinder, not need to extend brake lines on extension or compression, and allowed me to use a spare driveshaft that was lying round.