Leaf Springs

[clautt]

I’m needing to replace my leaf springs on my 81 LC. The truck is newer to me and came with a lift. The owner I bought the truck from didn’t do the lift so he isn’t sure what height of lift it is. Is there a way I can find out which size leaf springs I need to get? Follow up question, if I get leaf springs that aren’t the same lift as the old ones how does that impact the shocks that are currently on it? Thank you guys for the help and let me know if I need to elaborate at all.

 

[jclark]

Parabolics. Check out Nolan's review.

 

[clautt]

Parabolics. Check out Nolan's review.

Where do I find that review at?

 

[jclark]

Where do I find that review at?

The Search bar. Parabolic review, mate.

 

[klinetime574]

Review Thread 'Terrain Tamer Parabolic Leaf Spring Review'

Apr 3, 2025

So a few weeks ago I was discussing some of the new things happening with @orangefj45 and him launching a US branch of Terrain Tamer.

He went on to tell me he was stocked up with Parabolic kits and asked if I would give a lot a chance for my next customer build.

I told him I would do him one better and I would buy a kit for my own truck and then I'd have some experience before I sold someone on a kit I had no experience with.

Test Bed - The Goat 45 .... my 1967 FJ45 pickup. Arguably the worst riding Land Cruisers on the planet. These trucks are too light in the rear and...

• wngrog

• 

Review Post in thread 'Terrain Tamer Parabolic Leaf Spring Review'

Oct 23, 2025

Another set mounted on a 60 series.

Turns out they are calling the spacers "shims" and you can custom pack your spring packs for height or lean by moving them around in the pack from top to bottom. One or both.

Based on the last 60 I did, I kept the rear 2 blocks on the bottom of the pack like they came.

On the front I moved them from the top to the bottom and added a 4* caster shim.

This stance gives me a 1" rake which I prefer.

Those that like the level look could move the rear blocks to the top of the springs.

1 shim is about 1/2" .... both is 1"

...

• wngrog

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• 

 

[kevin in okinawa]

post some photos of what it looks like as-is. What size tires are on it? That will give us an idea of how much lift there is. Unless you are very high now, the shocks will likely be fine with a slightly different leaf spring height. I have Alcan springs on mine, but anything that you can get from Valley Hybrids and @orangefj45 is going to be good...they are highly respected in the community.

 

[clautt]

post some photos of what it looks like as-is. What size tires are on it? That will give us an idea of how much lift there is. Unless you are very high now, the shocks will likely be fine with a slightly different leaf spring height. I have Alcan springs on mine, but anything that you can get from Valley Hybrids and @orangefj45 is going to be good...they are highly respected in the community.

Right now it has 35s on it so it seems like its a decent lift

 

[kirvesmies]

I'm seeing plenty of tire clearance n doesn't seem to be leaning. So to me that begs the question why the need for a replacement?
Good lookin' 60 btw.

 

[kevin in okinawa]

^^^ what kirvesmies said...what seems to be the problem? Usually when people need new leafs it's because the existing ones are flattened, sagging, or broken. Now we will also need photos of under the truck and the actual leaf springs. And the shackles. Is this lift an SOA or under axle still?

What is the truck doing that makes you think the springs are bad?

edit: nice-looking rig BTW!

 

[clautt]

Thanks for all the replies! This is my first time working on a vehicle with leaf springs so I think for my own state of mind I wanted to switch them but after more research it seems like I don’t need to right now.

For future though, I would still be interested in knowing the size of leafs if I do need to switch them out. I can post a picture later of how they look.

Thanks all!

 

[kirvesmies]

@clautt , when you say size, i'm assuming you are talking lift. Am i correct? You should figure out what your end game is with it, pavement princess? Hard core trail trail truck? Soft roader? Every one of those disciplines will want a different set up springwise to work best for it. Yes, they will crossover, but don't expect yeoman duty. Talk to guys like george, @orangefj45 or kurt, @cruiseroutfit . I Don't think they'd steer you astray