Leaf spring woes...

humpy · 09-08-2010, 02:19 PM

or go to greg hauck in fayettville and tell him you need an add a leaf kit for rear of a half ton chev truck..take out a similar length leaf from your pack and add the add a leaf and rock on...i used to run blocks when wheelin...seen a guy toss a complete rear axle housing and all out the back on the side of a hill...its not a fun trip out...dont run blocks..

WrenchMonkey · 09-09-2010, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humpy

seen a guy toss a complete rear axle housing and all out the back on the side of a hill...its not a fun trip out...dont run blocks..

Oh, I've heard plenty of horror stories about leaf blocks.

Do you know if this guy broke the spring, or just spit out the block?

I don't think either is as likely with my version, but we'll see...

Robert

WrenchMonkey · 09-09-2010, 12:03 PM

So here's what I came up with:

2x2 box, .250 wall, about 24" long. 30* cut at the leading edge, 45* at the other.

On the topside, there's 1/2" hole accept the springs' center pin, and a 1/4" hole at the front to mount the rubber snubber.

On the bottom, I drilled and tapped a 5/16" hole, and used a set screw to position the shim, like so:

Loosely assembled, pardon the BigRock mud:

In that pic you can kinda see how I redrilled the springplate to move the axle back about 1.5", here's a better one:

Anyway, with weight on it:

And clamped down:

I should have taken a nice nice finished profile pic, but I didn't.
I was running out of time to get to work, so I threw the wheels on and test drove it around the block.

WrenchMonkey · 09-09-2010, 12:05 PM

Drove it to work, and then the ORFW meeting last night, and it did great.
It obviously lifted me back up to a full 6" lift, which realigned the driveshaft angles, and smoothed out my vibes.

But I swear I can feel the antiwrap working, too. When I get on it, the ass end tries to rise a bit as it puts the power down.

The ride is a little firmer, but not at all harsh, or even stiff really. Just like it's better put together.

They do hang down just a little lower than I'd like. The angled nose should help,
but adding a small skid to the front would bridge the gap between the bar and the spring.

For a few hours work and a bunch of scrap material, I'm thrilled.

I still don't know if I'll keep it long term, but it'll certainly keep me out of the garage till I make up my mind about something better!

Robert

gothodgie · 09-09-2010, 08:02 PM

looks almost like some old school traction bars.... As long as they don't hang up on everything, i think it is a good fix.... just my .02

chris

WrenchMonkey · 09-10-2010, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gothodgie

looks almost like some old school traction bars...

Yep, that's exactly what there are: a homemade, offroad version of the old Lakewood traction bars:

That is, of course, why I just had to paint them yella!

Robert

Coppertop · 09-10-2010, 03:23 PM

Looks good Robert...I'm curious to see how they perform offroad.Yella traction bars bring back some great memories.I had a set on my 69 cougar.

Nick

09-09-2010, 12:03 PM	#3
WrenchMonkey Mechanical Animal - CORE Member - - Moderator - Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Beechmont Posts: 1,883	So here's what I came up with: 2x2 box, .250 wall, about 24" long. 30* cut at the leading edge, 45* at the other. On the topside, there's 1/2" hole accept the springs' center pin, and a 1/4" hole at the front to mount the rubber snubber. On the bottom, I drilled and tapped a 5/16" hole, and used a set screw to position the shim, like so: Loosely assembled, pardon the BigRock mud: In that pic you can kinda see how I redrilled the springplate to move the axle back about 1.5", here's a better one: Anyway, with weight on it: And clamped down: I should have taken a nice nice finished profile pic, but I didn't. I was running out of time to get to work, so I threw the wheels on and test drove it around the block. __________________ DIRTY DEEDS, DONE DIRT CHEAP Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stranger

09-09-2010, 12:05 PM	#4
WrenchMonkey Mechanical Animal - CORE Member - - Moderator - Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Beechmont Posts: 1,883	Drove it to work, and then the ORFW meeting last night, and it did great. It obviously lifted me back up to a full 6" lift, which realigned the driveshaft angles, and smoothed out my vibes. But I swear I can feel the antiwrap working, too. When I get on it, the ass end tries to rise a bit as it puts the power down. The ride is a little firmer, but not at all harsh, or even stiff really. Just like it's better put together. They do hang down just a little lower than I'd like. The angled nose should help, but adding a small skid to the front would bridge the gap between the bar and the spring. For a few hours work and a bunch of scrap material, I'm thrilled. I still don't know if I'll keep it long term, but it'll certainly keep me out of the garage till I make up my mind about something better! Robert __________________ DIRTY DEEDS, DONE DIRT CHEAP Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stranger

09-09-2010, 08:02 PM	#5
gothodgie Join Date: May 2009 Location: loveland Posts: 843 Images: 49	looks almost like some old school traction bars.... As long as they don't hang up on everything, i think it is a good fix.... just my .02 chris __________________ chris hodges 96 fzj80 3x locked, 4"lift, 37s, homebrew sliders and bumpers,a work in progress 71 fj55, SOA, locked...The jungle bus... retired

09-10-2010, 03:23 PM	#7
Coppertop XJWHEELING Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Colerain Township Posts: 837	Looks good Robert...I'm curious to see how they perform offroad.Yella traction bars bring back some great memories.I had a set on my 69 cougar. Nick __________________ Just a 200 dollar cherokee that wouldn't start .. Ten years later same chrome grille .. Last edited by Coppertop; 09-10-2010 at 03:30 PM.

09-08-2010, 02:19 PM	#1
humpy Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 573	or go to greg hauck in fayettville and tell him you need an add a leaf kit for rear of a half ton chev truck..take out a similar length leaf from your pack and add the add a leaf and rock on...i used to run blocks when wheelin...seen a guy toss a complete rear axle housing and all out the back on the side of a hill...its not a fun trip out...dont run blocks..