|
| LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
10-13-2006, 09:52 PM | #1 |
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. |
Sponsored Links | |
10-13-2006, 09:56 PM | #2 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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, 12:33 AM | #6 | |
Oppan Gangnam Style Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 5,164
| Quote:
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! Last edited by chino63; 10-14-2006 at 12:49 AM. | |
10-14-2006, 12:45 AM | #7 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Pebble Pounder Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 180
|
thats a great write up chino63!!....would it work on a hilift??
|
10-14-2006, 10:48 AM | #13 | |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Orlando
Posts: 7,420
| Quote:
| |
10-14-2006, 11:08 AM | #14 |
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 | #15 | |
RCC Addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: rite here all along
Posts: 1,888
| Quote:
| |
10-14-2006, 11:23 AM | #16 | |
Oppan Gangnam Style Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 5,164
| Quote:
| |
10-14-2006, 11:23 AM | #17 |
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 |
10-14-2006, 05:15 PM | #18 | |
Sinking with the ship Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: El Capitan...sole survivor and sinking fast
Posts: 8,864
| Quote:
| |
10-14-2006, 06:23 PM | #19 | |
Oppan Gangnam Style Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 5,164
| Quote:
here are some pics of the hilux to add. not near as much flex but the shocks are all still attached. | |
03-26-2007, 10:55 PM | #20 |
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?
|
| |