RCCrawler Forums

chino63 · 10-13-2006, 09:52 PM

i have been messing with hilux/bruiser chassis since i was a kid and love the look of the leaf springs but as we all know, they flex like crap. over time, usually in the early early a.m. i have managed to make them work a bit better than in their stock configuration. also (obviously), the wider the track width, the more leverage on the spring which equals more flex.

first things first, ditch the sleeve that goes between the bolt and the eye of the spring. this little thing is your enemy. without the sleeve there will be slightly more play than with the sleeve but i think it is well worth it considering the amount of flex you can get.
next, insert a bolt into the eye of the spring. take a pair of pliars or put it in a vice and crush the eye so it becomes an oval (top to bottom). be careful not to crush it too tight. you want the bolt to move freely in the now oval eye.

the next step is the most beneficial to this modification. use a die grinder/dremel with a cut off wheel, a sander or a file and taper both sides of the spring. be careful not to get it too hot if using a grinder/dremel/sander or it could damage the spring and weaken it. also, be careful not to taper it too much either, because you want enough material at the top of the eye to maintain its strength.

thats it, quick and easy! now the only thing you have to worry about it over flexing the spring. i am using these in the front of my scaler with all 3 leaves and it flexes better than the unmodified ones with only one leaf. less likely to bend the leaves into pretzels now too.

here is an example of the difference between stock and modified.
stock:

modified:

post up your results and let me know if this works out for you or if i'm just imagining things.

Got Rocks? · 10-13-2006, 09:56 PM

great write up chino! id like to see these on a truck

chino63 · 10-13-2006, 10:05 PM

i have them on the front of the scaler and all the way around on my hilux. i will get some pics as soon as i can. but now, i am being summoned to the couch for a chick flick.:-(

Varv · 10-13-2006, 10:39 PM

kool
I might have to try that, should help out alot.

ColquittCustom405 · 10-14-2006, 12:15 AM

Chino nice info man,how does the integrity of the metal hold up?

chino63 · 10-14-2006, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColquittCustom405

Chino nice info man,how does the integrity of the metal hold up?

so far so good. i have mine limited by bruiser shocks though, just to prolong the life of the spring. i had some concerns with the spring eyes opening up over time but no issues during inspection time (usually after 2-3 outings using 3 packs through the day). if you use longer shocks i suppose the spring life will be shorter. i wish these things were a higher quality spring steel.

here are some pics with the shocks disconnected. 8.5" track width outside sidewall to outside sidewall, tlt axles, bruiser chassis. granted, the rear is linked but check out the angle between the front skid and the tierod.

twice as much as before the mod!

chino63 · 10-14-2006, 12:45 AM

not much leverage with the 8.5 track width. i wonder how much more you could get out of a 10.5" track width or on a bruiser axle. anyhow, i am happy with it.

supercrawlerfreak · 10-14-2006, 01:47 AM

Ill have to try this with my bruiser with the juggy springs

1BadJeepBruiser · 10-14-2006, 06:09 AM

Trekker is now being torn down

Spring mod and half link mod up front

must obtain serious flex....

1BJB Out

TwistedCreations · 10-14-2006, 06:20 AM

Nice cheap trick

What wheels you running to get a 8.5" width?

jwrape · 10-14-2006, 06:59 AM

Nice Mod. I will use this method when i build my 6th scale springs from hax saw blades.

Fordx4 · 10-14-2006, 10:23 AM

thats a great write up chino63!!....would it work on a hilift??

ColquittCustom405 · 10-14-2006, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1BadJeepBruiser

Trekker is now being torn down Spring mod and half link mod up front must obtain serious flex....

1BJB Out

Okay Mike will be busy for awhile.I need to post some progress pics of TMA Chino's wwwwwway ahead me.Nice flex Chino looks better without shocks.

rckjeep · 10-14-2006, 11:08 AM

I'm not getting that much flex out of the front Chino! Damn Though I need to work the springs a bit though. I may taper the eye a bit more too. This mod works awesome, great write up.

halfcab · 10-14-2006, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fordx4

thats a great write up chino63!!....would it work on a hilift??

It should

chino63 · 10-14-2006, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fordx4

thats a great write up chino63!!....would it work on a hilift??

the only thing with the hilift springs or jugg springs is the amount of arch. the bruiser springs are relatively flat and will flex better (like a 1:1) than the others. you can always dearch them a bit though. i say try it and see how it works.

Brandon · 10-14-2006, 11:23 AM

Great job Chino, you should update the first post with any additional info on leaf springs and ask Mike to make it a sticky. Im sure you have tons of tech to share about leaf springs. Great job

1BadJeepBruiser · 10-14-2006, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nluvwithxlr8ing

Great job Chino, you should update the first post with any additional info on leaf springs and ask Mike to make it a sticky. Im sure you have tons of tech to share about leaf springs. Great job

If chino gives me the OK I will add it to the scale tips and tricks post..but since its his idea I will wait to here an OK from him.

chino63 · 10-14-2006, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1BadJeepBruiser

If chino gives me the OK I will add it to the scale tips and tricks post..but since its his idea I will wait to here an OK from him.

sounds good to me mike. thanks!

here are some pics of the hilux to add. not near as much flex but the shocks are all still attached.

bruiserin2002 · 03-26-2007, 10:55 PM

this mod is worth a bump. I am using diaz leafs how much should you say I need to leave on the top to get some good flex without loosing strength?

10-13-2006, 09:52 PM	#1
chino63 Oppan Gangnam Style Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Shingle Springs Posts: 5,164	leaf springs- how to help them flex. i have been messing with hilux/bruiser chassis since i was a kid and love the look of the leaf springs but as we all know, they flex like crap. over time, usually in the early early a.m. i have managed to make them work a bit better than in their stock configuration. also (obviously), the wider the track width, the more leverage on the spring which equals more flex. first things first, ditch the sleeve that goes between the bolt and the eye of the spring. this little thing is your enemy. without the sleeve there will be slightly more play than with the sleeve but i think it is well worth it considering the amount of flex you can get. next, insert a bolt into the eye of the spring. take a pair of pliars or put it in a vice and crush the eye so it becomes an oval (top to bottom). be careful not to crush it too tight. you want the bolt to move freely in the now oval eye. the next step is the most beneficial to this modification. use a die grinder/dremel with a cut off wheel, a sander or a file and taper both sides of the spring. be careful not to get it too hot if using a grinder/dremel/sander or it could damage the spring and weaken it. also, be careful not to taper it too much either, because you want enough material at the top of the eye to maintain its strength. thats it, quick and easy! now the only thing you have to worry about it over flexing the spring. i am using these in the front of my scaler with all 3 leaves and it flexes better than the unmodified ones with only one leaf. less likely to bend the leaves into pretzels now too. here is an example of the difference between stock and modified. stock: modified: post up your results and let me know if this works out for you or if i'm just imagining things.

10-13-2006, 09:56 PM	#2
Got Rocks? RCC Addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Provo Posts: 1,868	great write up chino! id like to see these on a truck

10-13-2006, 10:05 PM	#3
chino63 Oppan Gangnam Style Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Shingle Springs Posts: 5,164	i have them on the front of the scaler and all the way around on my hilux. i will get some pics as soon as i can. but now, i am being summoned to the couch for a chick flick.:-(

10-13-2006, 10:39 PM	#4
Varv Rock Stacker Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: N.B. Canada Posts: 73	kool I might have to try that, should help out alot.

10-14-2006, 12:15 AM	#5
ColquittCustom405 I wanna be Dave Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Orlando Posts: 7,420	Chino nice info man,how does the integrity of the metal hold up?

10-14-2006, 12:45 AM	#7
chino63 Oppan Gangnam Style Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Shingle Springs Posts: 5,164	not much leverage with the 8.5 track width. i wonder how much more you could get out of a 10.5" track width or on a bruiser axle. anyhow, i am happy with it.

10-14-2006, 01:47 AM	#8
supercrawlerfreak Rock Crawler Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Murrieta Posts: 806	Ill have to try this with my bruiser with the juggy springs

10-14-2006, 06:09 AM	#9
1BadJeepBruiser Sinking with the ship Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: El Capitan...sole survivor and sinking fast Posts: 8,864	Trekker is now being torn down Spring mod and half link mod up front must obtain serious flex.... 1BJB Out

10-14-2006, 06:20 AM	#10
TwistedCreations Colt Python/SR9c Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: out in the shop, reloading ammo! Posts: 8,626	Nice cheap trick What wheels you running to get a 8.5" width?

10-14-2006, 06:59 AM	#11
jwrape Rock Crawler Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bethlehem, GA Posts: 583	Nice Mod. I will use this method when i build my 6th scale springs from hax saw blades.

10-14-2006, 10:23 AM	#12
Fordx4 Pebble Pounder Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 180	thats a great write up chino63!!....would it work on a hilift??

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10-14-2006, 11:08 AM	#14
rckjeep I wanna be Dave Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: San Jose Posts: 5,207	I'm not getting that much flex out of the front Chino! Damn Though I need to work the springs a bit though. I may taper the eye a bit more too. This mod works awesome, great write up.

10-14-2006, 11:23 AM	#17
Brandon Im Brandon Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Colfax, CA Posts: 8,156	Great job Chino, you should update the first post with any additional info on leaf springs and ask Mike to make it a sticky. Im sure you have tons of tech to share about leaf springs. Great job

03-26-2007, 10:55 PM	#20
bruiserin2002 Pebble Pounder Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 178	this mod is worth a bump. I am using diaz leafs how much should you say I need to leave on the top to get some good flex without loosing strength?

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