Leaf Spring tech/survey:

[mbryson]

Link suspensions are cool, but I've really liked the 'feel' of my 'Jeep' since I've gotten it out on the trail. However, I'm going through leaf springs like crazy. I'm running 7 leaf Waggy fronts and XJ rears with a 101" wheelbase. I've got about 15-20 trail days on my springs and have replaced ALL of the springs already and need to replace another front spring.

I'm shackle forward (probably not the 'best' for spring life) in the front with no traction bar and shackle rear in the back with the XJ springs flipped around. The 'Jeep' works quite well, honestly. It gets WAY more flex than I expected it to and rides fair to good.

I've thought of lots of things to make wheeling a little more economical, because if this keeps up, there will be NO MORE Waggy springs kicking around I will single handedly increase the scarcity of XJ take offs along the Wasatch front.

Here's my thoughts:

1) Military wrap and rebuild a set of Wags and XJ springs and see how that holds up.

2) Buy some Alcan or Nationals (I'd have to borrow someones Visa or MasterCard number for that--I'd rather not go there, but if I have to and they'll work, I could be pursuaded to do so)

3) Link it -- Not really what I want to do, but it's been considered more than once.

4) just keep buying take offs --- not really an option -- I'm not fond of changing springs this frequently and I really HATE high lift jacks

Any ideas on making my springs live a longer life? If I could get a 'season' out of a set of stock ones, I'd be fine with that. I'm getting a little over a trip to Moab currently.

 

[Jeremy]

i say stick with the take offs. but that is only because i still have a set of waggy springs sitting in my driveway waiting for you to pick up.

what ever you do, dont link it. you have a good set up that works and that your happy with. leafs are easy, anything else takes time and money.....

 

[RockMonkey]

Start with a front traction bar and Eksjae's takeoff's. Then try military wrap. Your clamps are all tight, right?

 

[sbr]

rubicon express springs

 

[mbryson]

Start with a front traction bar and Eksjae's takeoff's. Then try military wrap. Your clamps are all tight, right?

They are until I take it out and flex it a little. They kinda get forced loose after a few obstacles.

 

[mbryson]

i say stick with the take offs. but that is only because i still have a set of waggy springs sitting in my driveway waiting for you to pick up.

what ever you do, dont link it. you have a good set up that works and that your happy with. leafs are easy, anything else takes time and money.....

Hey, I'll be kinda out in that neck of the woods today. I'll pick them up.

 

[lenny]

I was under the impression that the things that killed leafs were being forced into a negative arch and being wound up into a "S" shape from axle wrap.

So I would think that if you could take care of these two things, your springs should last longer, no?

Forgive my ignorance

 

[BCGPER]

How come theres no "Just dump the thing and get a JK" option in your poll?


You KNOW thats what you really want to do anyways.

 

[mbryson]

How come theres no "Just dump the thing and get a JK" option in your poll?


You KNOW thats what you really want to do anyways.

You're not helping......

 

[Milner]

Jk's are too big and H3-like :-\

I like RE springs, and have liked the Alcans i had too. Nationals work great, but sag FAST!

I would say get the RE's for the $$ or Alcans. Not sure if it is still true, but at one time Alcan was making the RE's.

 

[mbryson]

Jk's are too big and H3-like :-\
.........

If they had a little more motor, I'd already be showing pics of the new lift/tires.

 

[DaveB]

I have some xj rear springs, already taken off, and since I don't have my xj anymore they need to find a new home.

 

[BCGPER]

Even a Samurai is big when you drive a Liberty or Miata.

Jk's are too big and H3-like :-\

 

[mbryson]

I have some xj rear springs, already taken off, and since I don't have my xj anymore they need to find a new home.

Dave, can I pick those up today and if so, where are you?

 

[Milner]

Even a Samurai is big when you drive a Liberty or Miata.

Thats enough out of you!

 

[Brett]

Dave, can I pick those up today and if so, where are you?

You have already used your allotted quoto for the year! Let yakinaked get em for his parents, they broke a main leaf

 

[Bud]

What's going bad with your springs?

 

[mbryson]

What's going bad with your springs?

Main leaf

 

[leorn]

I have not been happy with aftermarket springs. I notice the following problems:
-too stiff so they don't flex
or
-too soft so they show signs of wear after a short period of time and cause wrap. I feel soft junkyard springs are superior to soft aftermarket springs in durability and flex. JMO

I run a mix of stock toyota rears and skyjackers up front. They flex great, but wrap. I am going to get a military wrap for them.

My rears are alcans. They are made very well, but don't compare to the front for flex. I have track bars so they don't wrap.

IMHO the ideal setup is soft leafs with track bars f&r

Disclaimer: I am most familiar with toyotas.

 

[Jeremy]

i hope you didnt come by today. i have them tucked away at the very back of the drive way. i will set them out in front again. stop by and get them whenever.