Got a question about 1/4 eliptical suspention set ups, what are the pros and cons? i've only seen a few set ups and not sure why we don't see more. if any one is running one throw out some pics. from what i've seen you can get great flex out of them. i figure its something that its all custom fab wich i'm not afraid to do. but just curious if any one knows of a place that pre-fabs maybe the springs or mounts? any info would be great.


-t-

Spidertrax used to sell a 1/4 kit, not sure if they still do or not but its worth a try.

1/4 elliptical set-ups are still around and do work well. The reason you don't see them much anymore is that you basicly need a standard 3-4 link anyway, so for the sake of room and control, coils have taken over as the spring of choice. even 1/4 of a leaf spring takes up a bit of room to mount and can take up precious ground clearence, plus coils are pretty cheap anymore and mounting them is almost easier and tuning coils is way easier.

remember, its control of and proper set-up of the suspension that makes a truely great suspension work, its not necessarily huge amounts of flex anymore!

I have a Campbell Engineering 1/4 Elliptical suspension I'd sell for $250. That's what I have in it, I just went in a different direction. This is the leaf packs, mounts, custom shackles, mounting tabs, hardware, etc. You would need to provide your own links.

Just E-mail me directly if interested: aftermarket4x4@cox.net


Sean DeVinney

I have a Campbell Engineering 1/4 Elliptical suspension I'd sell for $250. That's what I have in it, I just went in a different direction. This is the leaf packs, mounts, custom shackles, mounting tabs, hardware, etc. You would need to provide your own links.

Just E-mail me directly if interested: aftermarket4x4@cox.net


Sean DeVinney

Sounds like contacting this guy is the way to go. I gave it my all fired attempt to do a 1/4 eliptical in my jeep. Because my flattie is shaped the way it is I could not get the springs and the links in all at the same time. so I ended up using coils because they were easy and free with the perfect spring rate for me. But a sammy is shaped different in the back and 1/4s seem to fit nice and clean. I say go for it.

i run one and it is f'in awsome. you can tune it just as easy as a coilover except it is way cheeper.

you can put smaller leafs ontop to control the stiffness of the uptravel and how far it will go and you can put then under the main leaf to do the same for down travel. I love my set-up and it has never had a clearance issue. i dont' think i have touched it once.

Thanks for all the input as soon as i get something going i'll belly up and buy a star and post some pics.

I have a Campbell Engineering 1/4 Elliptical suspension I'd sell for $250. That's what I have in it, I just went in a different direction. This is the leaf packs, mounts, custom shackles, mounting tabs, hardware, etc. You would need to provide your own links.

Just E-mail me directly if interested: aftermarket4x4@cox.net


Sean DeVinney

I've got the spidertrax set-up, been running it for over 3 yrs now and I love it. Works great. I think you can still get parts of their set-up (spring packs, shackles, etc), although they don't sell the kit itself anymore.

I don't know anything about Campbell Engineering, but I'd definitely contact Sean about this set-up, it's a great deal and Sean is a great guy to do business with.

Good luck!!

1/4 elliptical set-ups are still around and do work well. The reason you don't see them much anymore is that you basicly need a standard 3-4 link anyway, so for the sake of room and control, coils have taken over as the spring of choice. even 1/4 of a leaf spring takes up a bit of room to mount and can take up precious ground clearence, plus coils are pretty cheap anymore and mounting them is almost easier and tuning coils is way easier.

remember, its control of and proper set-up of the suspension that makes a truely great suspension work, its not necessarily huge amounts of flex anymore!

i think thats well said, they work well for the budget you have but have limited clearance and is easier just to go coilovers

I have done both set-ups in the past, and unless you have leaf springs just sitting around, cost on either is what you make of it. The only trouble with setting up a 1/4 leaf is getting the rate you want. To keep it cheap, most just cut leaf springs basicly in half, then its tuning time by building a pack, installing it, see ride height and feel how it does, then take apart and do it again till it is where you want. Just time consuming, not hard.

Almost every coil spring out there has a rateing thats easy to find. Much easier to build it right from the start, IMO. Most coils can be found real cheap these days. I got my XJ's and TJ's for free from friends and a local shop after installation of lifts. :smokin:

Not knocking 1/4 at all. I have wheeled one that way and with others that have as well. Just as time moves on, so does old technology. Crap, my coils are becoming outdated these days as well! :laughing:

I setup 1/4 elliptic on my dads buggy
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/shadowcrawlers/12-17-06%20Indy/PA280165.jpg
I setup up coils on mine
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/shadowcrawlers/Green%20Zuk%203%20Link/P3210172.jpg
Both work well and were both budget adventures. My dads buggy I used wrangler 5 packs and on my samurai I used stock sidekick rear coils :D. I know 1/4 is old school but I love it just because it is cool looking and strikes alot of conversations when people have never seen one. :eek: