Does anyone have any experence with longleaf springs? If so what are the pros and cons? Are they worth it?

52" fullsize blazer rears
pros:
good flex
cheap
no traction bar
carry all my gear with no sag

cons:
rear departure angle is worse

thats the only con so far, but the benifits are well worth it.
:D

Thanks for the advice

There is also a company called Longleaf that makes springs for CJs that are quite a bit longer (they mount to the orgional hanger on the front of the front springs, and move the rear hanger for the fronts back about 8 inches, the rear is just the opposite), and the wheel base is not changed because the axles mount off center on the springs.

I was wondering if anyone had used these particular springs.

I'm not familiar with that company, but if they are a quality spring they will give you better flex & ride.

look into chevy springs. the only bad part is if you want a lot of lift, they wont be good in aftermarket parts. You can get them for $50-100 in the junkyard.

What about using older model f150 rear springs in the front of a CJ. I am spring over with 60's, a 5.0 v8, and the rear is 1/4 eliptic from avalanche

The F150 is a good choice. Get a set and then move the mount to fit them. I think they have an offset of 23X29 I think.

Well, I searched and found this thread. Never really got answered. Anyone use these?

http://holbrookspecialties.com/

Well, I searched and found this thread. Never really got answered. Anyone use these?

http://holbrookspecialties.com/

I'm running them, not sure they qualify for Hardcore Jeep Tech, but I did post in Newbie Jeep tech:

Low Ridin' CJ's (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=584648&highlight=holbrook)

Pro:
High quality, military wrapped springs.

The short end is stock length (22.5" in the case of my CJ-7) and have no impact on approach/departure angle. I'm running 40" tires, so the shackle is only 4" past the tire, makes for about an 85 degree approach/departure angle.

They've already worked out the details so you don't have to mix n' match spring packs to get the ride height and flex you want.

Con:
Pricey, but not much more than Alcans.

You need to move the spring hangers about 10" (less depending on desired wheelbase).

The added flex contributes to axle hop/spring wrap.


More comments:
I'm very pleased with these springs. I installed them about 4 years ago and have had very little sag. I am running rear springs SUA at all 4 corners which gave a true 3" lift. The front dropped about an inch when I added a winch and AMC V-8.

On road the ride is great and they add some caster to the front which makes for a very nice driving rig on the street. Holbrook feels the reason shackle reversal improves ride is that it adds a bunch of caster. Their springs do the same thing because the axle mounts to the spring where its curving up on its arch.

Flex is so-so. I can put a tire 30" in the air before lifting another tire.

I've limited up travel to an inch or so before hitting the bumpstops. This keeps the springs from going negative arch on the trail, but does make for a terrible ride in the whoops.

On technical trails they really work. Its not about numbers, my rig don't ramp worth a damn. But is has a very stable, controlled transition going on/off obstacles. I was working my way up a ravine once and the trail leader smiled and indicated my tire had been about 30" in the air. I didn't even know it had left the ground :D

My one complaint is that the rig will hop on very steep climbs. I've got a Sam's Traction Bar in the rear. I suspect the IROKs are causing some of the hop...

More details: 100" wheelbase, 40" IROKs, 18.5" clearance to flat belly (2" below frame) at 5 psi. Also running 1" body and 3/4" shackle lift.

For more info on the Holbrook Long Leafs search or post over at the earlycj5.com board. There are a few people over there running them. Bought a set a couple weeks back for an M38 in progress, just installing them now.

I can speak well of the Holbrook guys - great with questions and great service.