Quote:
Originally posted by bloodypulp
i want to replace my rear leaf springs with something beefier, but not add-a-leaf. does anyone know what their oem leaf spring weight rate is? i want to spec a heavier set.
and has anyone tried replacing the rear leaf/shock setup with a coilover design? the reason i'm asking is because new coil springs cost a lot less than leaf springs.
thanks.
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good luck finding beefier coil springs that will easily mate to your stock axle...maybe you could use a seq or lc rear axle since they already have the coil perches. rear coilover setups are generally for unloaded, long travel applications (long narrow coils) or heavily laden short travel applications (short wide coils). the latter application will probably require a larger spring perch than the lc or seq rear, but its been a while since i looked at them.
i do not know the exact oem #, but i will say it is very weak--meant to ride gently with the bed unloaded = saggy rear when you put a load in there, heaven forbid you put in a full half ton (truck's working weight). youre correct in thinking that aal will not help you here.
switching to a coil setup in the rear will require custom fab, which if done proper will set you back significantly more than new leaf packs, since youll also need to fab axle locators (3-link, 4-link, or radius arms). this is definately not something youd want to booty fab with booger welds, at least not on a tundra.
see my photos for pics of an alcan spring replacement pack--+500#, +2.5", double-wrapped positive eye = 500$ shipping included...
www.alcanspring.com does very good work. talk to tom if you call them. you spec the springs, they build them, ie you can say "stock eye to eye length, but 1" lift, and meant to carry +XXX# over the stock weight" and they will build them for you. usually takes a few weeks, but they are beautiful. if you get a set, remember to load the bed heavy for a day or two so it works the springs in, they don't shot peen them. the setup i have required longer u-bolts, also shown in the pics.
-sean
*edit*
this is a long-travel (meant for articulation, not speed, but the coilover is similar) coilover application. looks like they finally flopped it good, competition and everything
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here is a better flop, you can see the radius arms (and the competition boundary, which he's still inside
...that is a heavily modded 4runner btw). i dont have a good pic of a massive load-bearing coil, but the black canisters on a semi contain a load bearing spring...short and wide, meant to carry several tons. theyll ride like a buckboard empty, tho.
replacing the rear leaves
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