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Post by auzzie on Sept 6, 2004 17:03:20 GMT 11
Hi all Currently in the process of swapping my leaf over. Could someone explain to me how stiffer springs improve ride? I figure that the original springs were not much chop because of the thick spring on the bottom. I am trying a different approach. I have got a set of springs off a Ford fairlane, these are about 150mm too long, so I will either shift my mounting points, or get the springs done to fit. Keep in mind I don't tow anything heavy, but want a good ride. The old fairlanes are a heavy item so I am going to get rid of one of the leaves (leaving me with 4) still trying to decide which one (bottom or second from bottom). I know of a friend that has done this conversion with much sucess to his 4 runner. This should give me increased travel in the back also with springs being longer, and I will probably make up some longer shackles. So I will keep you all posted. Any ideas comments welcome. Jason
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Post by Witchdoctor on Sept 6, 2004 18:48:12 GMT 11
Jason, Is this a MU or If it is a MU try using Rodeo springs from the wreckers they should fit, then do the removing of the leaves to get your desired ride. Will save a lot of $'s & time & it still remains an Isuzu ;D Dave
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Post by Graham on Sept 6, 2004 23:07:42 GMT 11
You say the fairlane is heavy item? The MU weighs 1800kg and current commodores are about 15-1600 - so how heavy is heavy and would it be wise to remove leafs?
That was my first reaction. Rodeo springs make more sense to me, but there's no reason you shouldn't be different as long as you can mod the mounting points safely I guess.
Cheers, Graham.
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Post by geeves on Sept 7, 2004 16:23:36 GMT 11
Stiffer springs do not give a better ride if everything else is equal BUT our old springs will of lost some tension and are probably 3 leaves + an overload spring Also your shocks will be close to use by date Even replaceing with factory new replacements will give an improvment . Go 1 better and fit specialy made springs that are made to a purpose not a price and better shocks and the improvment in ride can be remarkable with no loss in handling even with a small lift. As an example Ive just done the springs on my Bighorn with a 30mm lift heavy duty spring from Lovels and the differance is far more than I expected. The old springs were 3 leaves + overload weight 15kg and 35mm of sag The new springs are 5 leaves each aprox 2/3 the thickness of the old ones + an overload spring weight 22kg and set 30mm above standard. Because of the thinner leaves ride on small bumps is vastly better but the springs are still strong enough to prevent body roll but supple enough to give full wheel articulation.
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Post by auzzie on Sept 10, 2004 14:26:22 GMT 11
Well firstly a little about the fairlane. The leaves were off an older car (the equivalent of an XY falcon in Fairlane) This is a much heavier car than say your average commodore is today (I would say in excess of 1800kg) These cars came out with 351 V8s an 9" diffs = lots of torque and hence stress on those leaves to twist. An MU may be a heavy vehicle but being constructed as they are I would say they are pretty light in the back end, especially since they tend to buck from the back on corrigation. This mod is very cheap ie the car was a wreck and I got the springs for nothing. Anyways I will update this post after completing the swap. It is a shame that I will have nothing much to compare it to in the way of other fully customised spring setups but will let you know how it goes.
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