Leaf spring in place of control arms? (1 Viewer)

[caserique]

Although a lot of builds on mud are crawl related, I want to set up my FJ60 for more of a prerunner style ride. The majority of the trails I like to wheel don't require lockers, gearing, or even crazy flex as much as they do good quality contact with the surface in real time.

I'd like to go with coilovers for the ability to adjust ride height and fine tune spring rates, but rather than spending big bucks on fancy control arms, couldn't I just leave the shackled main spring (but ditch all the helpers) on to position the axles and save my money for fancy King emulsion coilovers?

It would still cost around 2200 bucks but would make a huge difference in ride quality if I got the spring rate and valving even remotely close.

Thoughts?

 

[Chop Shop]

massive axle wrap with only a single leaf locating it on each side.

 

[bad_religion_au]

Although a lot of builds on mud are crawl related, I want to set up my FJ60 for more of a prerunner style ride. The majority of the trails I like to wheel don't require lockers, gearing, or even crazy flex as much as they do good quality contact with the surface in real time.

I'd like to go with coilovers for the ability to adjust ride height and fine tune spring rates, but rather than spending big bucks on fancy control arms, couldn't I just leave the shackled main spring (but ditch all the helpers) on to position the axles and save my money for fancy King emulsion coilovers?

It would still cost around 2200 bucks but would make a huge difference in ride quality if I got the spring rate and valving even remotely close.

Thoughts?

one main leaf will not locate the axle anywhere near enough. even with full, stiff leaf packs, you still suffer axle wrap etc.

 

[TURNMEOVER]

yes you could use the main leaf as a locator. you will need to mod it as a floating perch along with twin ladder bars. then you can use the coil overs effectively and eliminate the wrap.

 

[Tapage]

and then if you make run a good track bar to avoid the axle swap .. you will be half way to a complete link design ..

 

[TURNMEOVER]

lader bars do the same thing as a wrap bar.

 

[caserique]

Good point on the axle wrap...even with my 30 HP 2f power plant.

I suppose by the time I messed with the ladder bars enough I might has well have built it with nice four link. I guess I'll just add another $$$ to the build.

Oh well, thanks for the tips!

 

[bad_religion_au]

Good point on the axle wrap...even with my 30 HP 2f power plant.

I suppose by the time I messed with the ladder bars enough I might has well have built it with nice four link. I guess I'll just add another $$$ to the build.

Oh well, thanks for the tips!

exactly

and if you do snap a leaf or wrap it hard enough and bust one of those pricey shocks... well you want to do it right the first time

 

[Eskimo]

Not to mention - FJ40 leafs are short compared to even short links, let alone something meant for at-speed.