Another source for leaf springs (1 Viewer)

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Many of the spring manufacturers that Mud members think are "top brand names" are actually small companies (relative to large OEM spring manufacturers) and they are not large enough (or enough plant space) to afford or house the complete set of machinery that makes a spring that will live a full life. Their worth is their ability to manufacture custom made springs for people, but their custom made springs don't include the features that let a spring give a great ride while living a full life. When Downey was in business, we were lucky enough to get to use NHK (Toyota's spring manufacturer at the time). The NHK springs included the following features, and you should look for as many of these features as you can find in other brand names:

Tappered Leafs- - -much smoother ride since the spring leafs engage gradually.
Anti-Friction Pads- - -much smoother ride since the leafs are slippery and glide smoother.
Graphite Impregnated- - -life time primer impregnated into the metal.
Stress Relieved- - -shot peened to pre-stress relieve metal, longer spring life.
Military Wrapped Leafs- - -a safety feature should a main leaf break.
Loose Bound- - -loose bound alignment clamps, not pinch bound that gives a rigid ride.
Fully Painted Leafs- - -not painted "after" the spring is assembly, won't rust almost instantly.
Stock Spring Rate- - -built to factory spring rate, factory ride quality.
Anti-Dive Control- - -fuller length secondary leafs that prevent dive during braking.
 
Thank you Jim. Good info.

Don
 
Downey said:
Many of the spring manufacturers that Mud members think are "top brand names" are actually small companies (relative to large OEM spring manufacturers) and they are not large enough (or enough plant space) to afford or house the complete set of machinery that makes a spring that will live a full life. Their worth is their ability to manufacture custom made springs for people, but their custom made springs don't include the features that let a spring give a great ride while living a full life. When Downey was in business, we were lucky enough to get to use NHK (Toyota's spring manufacturer at the time). The NHK springs included the following features, and you should look for as many of these features as you can find in other brand names:

Tappered Leafs- - -much smoother ride since the spring leafs engage gradually.
Anti-Friction Pads- - -much smoother ride since the leafs are slippery and glide smoother.
Graphite Impregnated- - -life time primer impregnated into the metal.
Stress Relieved- - -shot peened to pre-stress relieve metal, longer spring life.
Military Wrapped Leafs- - -a safety feature should a main leaf break.
Loose Bound- - -loose bound alignment clamps, not pinch bound that gives a rigid ride.
Fully Painted Leafs- - -not painted "after" the spring is assembly, won't rust almost instantly.
Stock Spring Rate- - -built to factory spring rate, factory ride quality.
Anti-Dive Control- - -fuller length secondary leafs that prevent dive during braking.
Click to expand...
Downey, do u have any cruisers anymore since you've closed up Downey? I noticed online a while ago there is a company called Downey still selling parts of some sort.
 
So what company's springs ticks all these boxes? Just OME?
 
I believe Pro Comp springs are still made by NHK, but Pro Comp may not have ordered all the features that Downey ordered??? I think OME springs are made in India (just a hunch), and I don't know what features they have???? When Downey was in business I knew that know body in Australia manufactured their springs in Australia, evidently made in Malaysia, Thailand, or India.
 
Downey said:
Many of the spring manufacturers that Mud members think are "top brand names" are actually small companies (relative to large OEM spring manufacturers) and they are not large enough (or enough plant space) to afford or house the complete set of machinery that makes a spring that will live a full life. Their worth is their ability to manufacture custom made springs for people, but their custom made springs don't include the features that let a spring give a great ride while living a full life. When Downey was in business, we were lucky enough to get to use NHK (Toyota's spring manufacturer at the time). The NHK springs included the following features, and you should look for as many of these features as you can find in other brand names:

Tappered Leafs- - -much smoother ride since the spring leafs engage gradually.
Anti-Friction Pads- - -much smoother ride since the leafs are slippery and glide smoother.
Graphite Impregnated- - -life time primer impregnated into the metal.
Stress Relieved- - -shot peened to pre-stress relieve metal, longer spring life.
Military Wrapped Leafs- - -a safety feature should a main leaf break.
Loose Bound- - -loose bound alignment clamps, not pinch bound that gives a rigid ride.
Fully Painted Leafs- - -not painted "after" the spring is assembly, won't rust almost instantly.
Stock Spring Rate- - -built to factory spring rate, factory ride quality.
Anti-Dive Control- - -fuller length secondary leafs that prevent dive during braking.
Click to expand...
Wish you were still in business!
 
when ARB rebranded their springs as Dakar about 15 years ago they outsourced the manufactured to Malaysia, I've got a set of Aussie and a set of Malaysian springs and never found any difference between them (both sets are about 15 years old now and both still in use)
 
I guess I am dumb all I have ever done with springs for 30 years was have them re-arced by someone in Phoenix or St Louis. Didn't know there was really any other option at the time.
 
Money recieved thanks for the full address. I will send you a tracking number in a short while.
 
Those sure are spendy!!


Dobinsons still custom-makes some leaf springs in Australia, but most are made overseas too. Our FJ55 springs are made in Rockhampton, but they're about NOT CHEAP!!

The Dakar springs had a much better finish to them, but were made exactly the same was as the old OME springs. That change was in 2005, my first year at ARB. All leaf springs dropped exactly 50% in retail price that year. It was crazy how many springs were over $300ea. They went down to $150 or so. Now the pricing is all over the place again. The roof racks did the same when they moved production from Melbourne to Thailand, but those dropped by about $100-200 retail each, not half price like some other parts did.

EDIT: The leaf springs are now stocked in the USA. All Dobinsons FJ55 parts are here: 55 Series (1970-80) Archives - Exit Offroad - https://exitoffroad.com/product-category/toyota/land-cruiser/fj55-series/
 
Last edited:
cuteo100 said:
I'd imagine that if the customer were to request all these features, custom shops like Alcans or Deaver would comply for a price.
Click to expand...
Assuming they possessed the equipment/machinery to do so???
 
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