flexin' the leaves
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Logistics Pro
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From: GANS
flexin' the leaves
I'm sure by now, every one knows thats most 4x4 fords have 3" leaves on the back..
would there be any advantages on switching to 2wd leaves since they are 2.5" wide"?
would there be any advantages on switching to 2wd leaves since they are 2.5" wide"?
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From: Spokane, WA
I don't see any advantage to them in terms of flex. The flexibility of a spring is not how wide it is. It's how thick the leaves are, how the metal is treated, etc. This is why I love the Skyjacker springs, very soft with great flex. The only disadvantage is if you put a lot of weight in your truck they sag. But that's not what we're building our trucks for anyhow is it? 
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From: GANS
Originally Posted by ivanribic
I don't see any advantage to them in terms of flex. The flexibility of a spring is not how wide it is. It's how thick the leaves are, how the metal is treated, etc. This is why I love the Skyjacker springs, very soft with great flex. The only disadvantage is if you put a lot of weight in your truck they sag. But that's not what we're building our trucks for anyhow is it?
just curious on people's opinions on the width.. I think it might.. but then again, who knows.
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From: Coutts Canada
Lets do some thinking here, the 2wd trucks have a lower GVW than the 4wd truck does, and when the GVW is maxed out on the 2wd and the same weight applied (both truck identical expect one is 4wd and oe isn't) to the 4wd truck you will find that the 2wd will squawt lower, and this is because the 2wd is softer, and that 1/2" extra width also adds extra (some, but not a lot) load capabiltis as well, so from this i belive that the 2.5" leaf would flex a "LITTLE" better, but on a fullsize the extra weight is there to overcome this, but if you had it all apart it wouldn't hurt to change over to the 2.5" leaf as long as you are down there.
Just my $.02
Just my $.02
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From: Senoia, GA
Originally Posted by ivanribic
I don't see any advantage to them in terms of flex. The flexibility of a spring is not how wide it is. It's how thick the leaves are, how the metal is treated, etc.
) that the skinier leaves do in fact flex more than wider ones. i do know that my bronco stock could prolly still out flex my white truck! they are pretty soft!-cutts-
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From: Spokane, WA
You're talking about two different things here. If you're comparing 2 stock springs of the same composition, leaf thickness, etc. but one is 2.5" and one is 3" yes, the narrower spring will flex more. But there are also 2.5" springs that are much stiffer than 3" springs and therefore will not flex as well (look at 12" Chevy lift springs). There are also a lot of 2.5" springs with thick leaves which have poor flex. My point is if you want more flex you need to look at the KIND of spring you're using, not the width. Just switching to a narrower spring won't necessarily make any difference.
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From: Cheney, Wa
according to jc whitney's stock leaf replacement chart 3" bronco springs have a 1650lbs rating while 2wd trucks are 2000-2200lbs and 4wd's are 2350lbs (ratings are "ish" i'm too lazy to get the catalog right now), all the springs are the same length and width if i remember right. so maybe if this is going on a truck ASSuming 73-79, 78-79 bronco springs may be the hot ticket, i was planning on getting some stock bronco ones when i do the shackle flip but then i realized pulling leaves is cheaper, plus axle wrap crossed my mind....but then again it is early and i am ASSuming.
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