Sorry for the cross post, just looking to get some expert testimony on this thread...

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=79026

Thanks

I haven't actually driven my 1/4 elip yet, but I used Chevy 1-ton rear packs with overload leaves on both sides. I didn't cut the springs exactly in half. I used a little more than half the pack on each side. I would say that mounting them like the pics in that thread decreases the spring rate of the springs. If you think about it, there's more leverage on the spring pack and it is only attached to the frame at one point and has a longer radius. I used all but one leaf out of the packs, and they had 7 or 8 leaves, not including the overload. I think I'm going to be very happy with it. The rate seems about the same as a set of 44044's now and it doesn't sag too much with extra weight due to the overload leaves. I've heard that overload leaves are integral to a 1/4 elip. Does this help you any?

J. J.

Did you mount your leaves solid to the frame? If you're using more than half of an off-the-shelf spring, did you redrill the center pin? Seems to me the weight should be concentrated on the point where the leaves are pinned together. How long are your leafs, how thick, and how wide? I can calulate spring rate for a conventional spring, but I'm thinking that the effective length should only be from the pin to eye, provide that the spring pin is located at the solid mounting point.

I'm running the Avalanche 1/4's with QA1 coilovers on the rear. I like the flex and the coilovers help applying downward force on the tires. This is working with a trianglated four link.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid31/pfefe556884eae826f93bcd8d64912fc0/fd4a41ee.jpg
It does walk a little with a lot of drop, poor mans rear steer...

Paul

If you're running coilovers, why even have the 1/4 ellip spring packs, not enough spring rate available with the coilovers? Different link setup would cure that rear steer.

After looking at the picture some more, it appears that you front suspension is not doing much, maybe it's the picture, but your front axle looks to be parallel to your frame. Do you find that the rear has to be maxed before the front will begin to work?

Originally posted by 4Bangler
Did you mount your leaves solid to the frame? If you're using more than half of an off-the-shelf spring, did you redrill the center pin? Seems to me the weight should be concentrated on the point where the leaves are pinned together. How long are your leafs, how thick, and how wide? I can calulate spring rate for a conventional spring, but I'm thinking that the effective length should only be from the pin to eye, provide that the spring pin is located at the solid mounting point.

My leaves are not mounted solidly to the frame. They pivot at the frame and drop freely. I did redrill my center hole and the springs are held into their box by a bolt that goes through that hole. My leaves are 2.5" wide, but I can't remember how long or how thick. I think they were a little thicker than 1/4". I can check this weekend.

This isn't a very great pic for this purpose, but you can kind of see the bolt that my springs pivot on.

http://www.patooyee.com/bigbuildup/DSC01525.JPG

J. J.

Here's the front view of the same shot. My front drivers tire is up on a rock and my rear is level on the ground. I'm running 12-400 and 12-170 dual rate springs on the front swayaways.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid31/pb52e2d4d0491fdcfcb05a82b328411b8/fd4a4201.jpg
Paul

1988YJ-
I'd love to see more pics of your rig's suspension. Things like how your links are mouted, front coilover mounts, etc, etc....