Are Springs the same on 70 & 74? (1 Viewer)

[tlcruiserman]

Does anyone know if the springs are the same on the 74 as they are on the 70?

Thanks,

Michael

 

[Stone]

Yes they are.

 

[tlcruiserman]

Follow up question on springs

Ok,

I am looking for the ultimate springs, and have tried a few and found a few flaws with the aftermarket springs so I am looking for input.

I have one set of springs (front & rear) that are iron man, and they are on my 87' Bj70 (aka Bluey) they work great however after less than a year I am noticing that the rear is starting to sag a bit. The rears do not have the extra load leaf found on the heavy duty rears from other manufactures, and also the front springs are just like everyone else WRONG!!! they are 1.5 to 2" short to the rear pin (so they are the same length as stock)


I have another set of springs (front & reear) that are Belton, and they are on my 86' Bj70 (canoock) they work great and have the heavy duty extra load leaf in the rear so no sagging but again the front it WRONG!! and needs about 2" to correct the axle placement and balance out the front end.


My question is this, who else makes commercial springs for the 70 series and does anyone know if they make the correct front springs. I have been working with a few vendors to get the fronts changed, and while they agree it is not perfect they will not change it without a bunch of orders, they are really starting to piss me off, especially since they see the logic in the design change I am asking for. Maybe it is the engineer in my but even tried the marketing logic "build it and they will sell" but to no avail yet.


G'day,


Michael

 

[tlcruiserman]

Pictures of uncorrect and correct axle placement

Here are pictures of the stock lift axle placement and then of my modified axle placement

 

[roscoFJ73]

Mike they should have 75 series springs on the front and 60 series on the rear.
Im using the Dobinsons light duty with the double military wrap at each end.

I chose the light duty springs because my 73 never has to carry much more than camping gear and I know that the 75 series are horrid beasts with h/d suspension and no load to soften them.

After 2 years,no sag,no lean and rides like your sitting on a mattress

 

[tlcruiserman]

Hmm interesting

Howdy,

I knew about the 60 springs, and they are very close for the rear. Could you tell me the measurement on the front springs from the center pin to the rear pin?

Thanks,

Michael

 

[Stone]

Michael:

My Terrain Tamer kit and Greg's Belton kit both place the tires that close to the rear of the front wheelwell...which leads me to believe that it's placed correctly. After all, these kits (at least mine is) were designed in Oz where they run plenty of Cruisers.

There's no rubbing issues with my kit the way it is and running 255/85r/16 (33.3") tires. But if you go any bigger than that, then you will rub in places. That's why Greg moved his axle forward a little, to clear his 35" SSRs. Cheers.

 

[tlcruiserman]

More information

Stone,

Yeah I know all the spring guys keep the length the same, but the logic and geometry says they are wrong. You should never have a lift compresses the driveshaft 1" there is now reason for it. Every lift I have ever done will pull the driveshaft out not compress it the reason it compresses it is because they are actually pulling the axle back farther toward the rear, so moving the axle back is bad on lift. But I understand no one wants to build them correctly

Thanks for the information on where your springs come from, do you have the load leaf on the rear of yours?

Thanks,

Michael

 

[crushers]

when i install a kit into the 74 series i redrill the front hole for the centering pin ahead one inch, this centers the wheel better and you can run 35" tires with out rubbing on the rear of the front fender...

 

[roscoFJ73]

I got 1090mm on the front and 1165 on the rears which is close to what they are supposed to be.
This link has the spring length for all cruisers.Look under specifications if it dont take you to the exact page.

http://www.birfield.com/modules.php?name=TLCFAQ&p=/~ramullen/FAQ/TEXT/04-

 

[Stone]

Michael: Yes, mine came with the overload springs in the rear packs. Also, the right side spring seemed to be a little stiffer (maybe higher is more accurate) than the left ones, giving me a level ride. Took the packs apart and slip plated them. Kit came with new nitro shocks, greasable pins, greasable anti-inversion shackles, steering stabilizer and polyurethane bushings throughout...similar in package to what you would get for a Belton (which is still probably one of the best deals out there). Cheers.

 

[beanz2]

Michael,

Many if not most Alcan spring dealers will build you a set of leaf springs the way you want it, put military wraps wherever you want and put the center bolt whereever you need it. My local dealer (Paul Decker) will also weigh your rig on each wheel to get the exact rate and height. If you want I can get you hooked up on the way south, just call me ahead of time so he can set up.

Pick them up when you bring me the frame later.

Dave

 

[tlcruiserman]

Thanks everyone...

Thanks everyone for you input and answers. I made a few more calls today and narrowed my spring builder down to three. I am going to have custom springs built and then after I give them a really good test I will sell a complete kit under West Coast Cruisers and I will make sure they are better, last longer, and ride better than anything else out there. Yes I know this is a bold statement but That's what my plan is


In the mean time (for the next 3 months) I am going to continue my testing with other on the market springs. I will be looking for one or two people to test out my kit once I go through the first round of testing so If you are interested I will post more in about 4 months.

Thanks,

Michael

 

[tlcruiserman]

question on Alcon

Michael,

Many if not most Alcan spring dealers will build you a set of leaf springs the way you want it, put military wraps wherever you want and put the center bolt whereever you need it. My local dealer (Paul Decker) will also weigh your rig on each wheel to get the exact rate and height. If you want I can get you hooked up on the way south, just call me ahead of time so he can set up.

Pick them up when you bring me the frame later.

Dave

Dave,

Have you found Alcon springs to be better than National, I had heard they are about the same, and I have found national to be expensive and they do not last. Also just for the record I encourage everyone to never ever buy MAF springs, they suck!!! - ok can you tell I have issues with MAF


Thanks,

Michael

 

[beanz2]

I never had Nationals, just Alcans on my 40. They settled down a bit to where they were supposed to be after one trip, but two years later they haven't sagged any. I'm happy with them and I might use them again for "the next one".

Unless I can be your spring tester

Dave
-yes, it's me.