Removing leaves in OME pack

[BlueCruiser84]

May not be hardcore, but this is not specific to a certain vehicle so figured I'd put it here.

I have the Dakar CS004 packs on the back of my fj60 that I chopped down into a "pickup". It rides like s*** now and has a terrible shackle angle since I took maybe 500 lbs off the back of it. First thing I want to do is remove a leaf or two and see if I can get it riding better before messing with spring/shackle mounts.

Does anyone know how many leaves I can safely remove from the Dakar pack? I'm definitely ditching the long AAL that makes this a "heavy" pack. I'm wondering if I should remove one of the shorter leaves as well. Ideally, I'd like to lose an inch or two of height and some spring rate so the suspension will actually cycle. I've got some stock packs that I can take leaves from if that would be necessary. Pictures below.

Current stance = s***ty.

Pack in factory form. 8 leaves. 2 overloads.

With these leaves in I can jack up the spring and the shackle sits at about 55* when the frame comes off the stand - ie. vehicle weight sitting on spring.

And these are the leaves that are removed in the above picture. Do I need both overload leaves?

 

[boots4]

Having a pick up I'd think you'd want one of the overloads in for weight control. I'd put in the longer overload since it has the pack alignment retainer and being longer won't have as stiff of rate. I would try it like that and if you need more I'd remove the smallest normal spring next.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

Sweet. That's what I had planned in my head, but it's always nice to have someone say "yea, you probably won't crack your springs in half".

 

[kcustom73]

Just removing the long leaf on my HD OME's made a difference in the ride and height of my 40.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

^^This is where I am starting. Hopefully that's all it takes. Removing another leaf after everything is buttoned back up is a bitch.

 

[peteinjp]

I'm thinking of pulling a leaf out of my lift to soften it up and if I may then cut the remaining leaves shorter to get the stagger equal between the remaining leaves. That should also soften it up a bit more.

Not saying it's a good idea....

Pete

 

[Mace]

Cutting leaves will increase the spring rate.

 

[jstncse]

If this was Pirate, and I realize it is not, the first thing I would say is you should move the axle back...
Then determine what springs need to be removed/replace to get the ride quality that you desire. Long springs flex more than short springs so remove short springs first unless height is a problem.

 

[peteinjp]

Let's say I have a 5 leaf pack- and all the leaves are as long as the main leaf- say48". And then I cut down the 4 bottom leaves to 12" and leaf the main leaf alone. I figure that will leave me with a much lower rate than I started with.


Pete

 

[Mace]

You'd be mistaken. Think leverage.. longer is easier to bend..

 

[peteinjp]

yeah but.... the main leaf is where the leverage is being applied and its not changing in length. All the leaves under the main are supporting it and in effect less support will lower the rate. In the same way that less leaves give less support to the main the shorter the the shorter the supporting leaves the less support they give to all the leaves above them effectively lowering the rate so me is thinkin....

P

 

[Mace]

You are mistaken

 

[Diesel Cruiserman]

This kid has studdied the art and kinda knows wat he is speaking of....

Mace you and me need a new avator..

 

[peteinjp]

Well good to know. I won't be cutting them down now and that will save me a bunch of work.

Fwiw my bj46 has only a single overload leaf and it's rated for a half ton payload.

Do you plan on carrying a load full time, just occasionally, or never?



Pete