Last year, I purchased a root beer 83 Cruiser. It's quite the monster, and has spent most of its life in Colorado.
I have very little knowledge about leaf spring suspension, but it seems simple enough.
One of the previous owners converted to SOA, and while doing so installed chevy 64" springs in the rear and moved the rears to the front. After reading several threads this seems somewhat common.
The current setup is "tired" and the (what I believe to be) rear OEM leaves are nearly straight. It's not taking advantage of any of the trucks capabilities and trail riding is miserable. Also, the shocks have a 19 inch (eek) body and has bump stops to also severly limit up travel. This gives the cruiser only ~3in of up travel total. I'm not quite sure what the advantage would be to limiting up travel so severly but I am in the process of changing this.
The ride is quite harsh and I fear they limited travel so severly to combat on-road body roll or antidive.
I plan to order shorter shocks, most likely adjustable from Fox, King, or Bilstein and reposition bumpstops and possibly even the entire shock towers to allow for more up travel and trim front fenders to allow better articulation. My question is:
For the ones who have moved rear leaves to the front, what OEM replacement leaves have you used? Did you remove leaves? Order a "lift" kit leaf pack? Did you get medium or heavy duty load springs to support the engine weight?
I also have the ability to completely change the front leaves and hangers. If I were to do that, what length leaf is preferred for a weekend trail rig, but maintaining a safe on-pavement ride to the trails. I have emailed a few custom leaf companies including Deavers, but would prefer to keep this endeavor under the wife's radar. I'm not opposed to moving the axle forward but would prefer to keep it where its at. I have considered linking and there is a good possibility it will be done.
Are there any quality leaves you would suggest I install to bring my ride height back to level and give me the support I need??
TLDR: I want good articulation after replacing shocks and bumps, while maintaining and a supportive, more comfortable ride (I understand this is subjective). I then asked for suggestions.
I have very little knowledge about leaf spring suspension, but it seems simple enough.
One of the previous owners converted to SOA, and while doing so installed chevy 64" springs in the rear and moved the rears to the front. After reading several threads this seems somewhat common.
The current setup is "tired" and the (what I believe to be) rear OEM leaves are nearly straight. It's not taking advantage of any of the trucks capabilities and trail riding is miserable. Also, the shocks have a 19 inch (eek) body and has bump stops to also severly limit up travel. This gives the cruiser only ~3in of up travel total. I'm not quite sure what the advantage would be to limiting up travel so severly but I am in the process of changing this.
The ride is quite harsh and I fear they limited travel so severly to combat on-road body roll or antidive.
I plan to order shorter shocks, most likely adjustable from Fox, King, or Bilstein and reposition bumpstops and possibly even the entire shock towers to allow for more up travel and trim front fenders to allow better articulation. My question is:
For the ones who have moved rear leaves to the front, what OEM replacement leaves have you used? Did you remove leaves? Order a "lift" kit leaf pack? Did you get medium or heavy duty load springs to support the engine weight?
I also have the ability to completely change the front leaves and hangers. If I were to do that, what length leaf is preferred for a weekend trail rig, but maintaining a safe on-pavement ride to the trails. I have emailed a few custom leaf companies including Deavers, but would prefer to keep this endeavor under the wife's radar. I'm not opposed to moving the axle forward but would prefer to keep it where its at. I have considered linking and there is a good possibility it will be done.
Are there any quality leaves you would suggest I install to bring my ride height back to level and give me the support I need??
TLDR: I want good articulation after replacing shocks and bumps, while maintaining and a supportive, more comfortable ride (I understand this is subjective). I then asked for suggestions.
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