Coil over leaf question... (1 Viewer)

[thecrazygreek]

I am wanting to get the best possible on road driving experience while keeping the leaf springs.

I dont know much about suspensions, but my idea is to take lets say an OLD Man EMU set-up and remove all but two of the leafs from the pack, then add some mild coil overs.

I think the ride would be much improved.

Am I crazy?

Has anyone done this exact thing?

Thanks

 

[Mace]

Using all but two leaves to locate the axle will create incredible axle wrap and safety issues.

 

[thecrazygreek]

So maybe mount an anti wrap bar of some sort?

 

[4WheelUnderground]

Yes, you are crazy. Soft leaves exist in the aftermarket, you just need to know were to look. My advise to you. Call Alcan in Colorado, tell them you want X lift but soft springs. Typical spring rates on the frontend of Toyota mini are 200lbs per inch. Tell them you want something like a 170lb. Then go buy some rebuildable Smooth Body shocks that are NON COILOVER type so you dont waste your money. Next, buy about 4 different valve stacks for each shock both compression and rebound. Start playing valving and get your soft leaves to handle better.

Here are some helpfull hints for valving
if you hit a speed bump at 40mph and your fillings fall out, you need less compression if you hit the bumps stops you dont have enough

when you land if you bite your tonuge you have to much rebound if the front end floats and you feel like you are on air you dont have enough

 

[Radd Cruisers]

The only time I have seen this set up was a set of parabolics I installed on a fj45.

Very thick leaves tho...

 

[bustanutley]

Don't pull leaves from the springs, they have to do a lot more than just suspend the truck, you will kill the springs in no time and have crazy wrap/hop while your at it.

If you want nice shocks, buy nice shocks, they do wonders to leaf sprung trucks just the same. If you have anything thoughts of doing a linked suspension then buy threaded body shocks if you are certain you don't then you can save a little by not.

My buddies leaf sprung buggy works awesome with remote res shocks, and is even better now with triple bypasses.

 

[Tapage]

the fun part about coilovers .. it's you can swap coils ( main and tender ) with stiffer ones ( more spring rate ) as well as shock valving much more easy ( IMOP ) and clean compared to spring packs .. ( less work too ) it's all about $$$$ coz different spring rate coils also cost ( are not that expensive but it's money ).

But it also involve a decent amount of link work and knowledge about how a suspension works ..

 

[GarageRat]

An old trick is to place some kind of lubricant between leaves to get rid of as much interleaf friction as possible. Theres rolls of stuff available at rod shops but even steel mesh with a good grease would work.