Suspension too stiff
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From: Cleveland, WI USA
Suspension too stiff
Hey all!
This is suspension related but pertains to off-roading as well.
Did some serious wheelin this past weekend and found that my rear leaf springs are super stiff. Even while balancing the truck on the front left and rear right tires, I only get about 4" of travel on the shocks. That's on either side in either direction.
It's a 78 F150 w/ 3" lift and the rear spring pack has 4 leafs and the big overload leaf. The front is coils and those are stiff as heck, too. I would like to get a little more flex out of it and was wondering how to go about it.
Can I get front springs that are just as tall but softer? If so, what kind of vehicle would have 'em?
Can I remove a leaf or two from the back to soften it at all? How many should I take out?
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Kevin K.
This is suspension related but pertains to off-roading as well.
Did some serious wheelin this past weekend and found that my rear leaf springs are super stiff. Even while balancing the truck on the front left and rear right tires, I only get about 4" of travel on the shocks. That's on either side in either direction.
It's a 78 F150 w/ 3" lift and the rear spring pack has 4 leafs and the big overload leaf. The front is coils and those are stiff as heck, too. I would like to get a little more flex out of it and was wondering how to go about it.
Can I get front springs that are just as tall but softer? If so, what kind of vehicle would have 'em?
Can I remove a leaf or two from the back to soften it at all? How many should I take out?
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Kevin K.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Chatsworth, CA
hey I would do a shackle flip for the back and take one of the leaves out from the pack. fishy had done this on his front leaf pack and got good flex. as for the front its gonna be hard to find softer coils because most are stiff to give you the extra lift. I would suggest finding a place that makes custom coils or go with coilovers that can adjust, definitely not a cheap route to go though.
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From: Cleveland, WI USA
Thanks for the response.
I already did the rear shackle flip so I could remove one of the lift blocks, but I'll try and pull a leaf and see what it does.
That's kinda what I thought about the front springs. I'm beginning to think it's more the radius arms that limit the flex up there. Will have to fab up some longer arms and use hiem (sp?) joints and see what that does.
Thanks again.
Kevin K.
I already did the rear shackle flip so I could remove one of the lift blocks, but I'll try and pull a leaf and see what it does.
That's kinda what I thought about the front springs. I'm beginning to think it's more the radius arms that limit the flex up there. Will have to fab up some longer arms and use hiem (sp?) joints and see what that does.
Thanks again.
Kevin K.
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