suspensions..

[chev-head]

I see tons and tons of threads on 4 linking your trucks there very where over and over the same questions non stop...

But waht i want to know is there anyone on here stickign with leafs springs and that likes leaf springs??

I have all the leafs in my truck still and i want more flex out of them but dont want to go 4 link yet for a year or 2 so was wondering if flex on leaf sprung vehicles is all in the shackle?? or how to get more.

Thanks

[77k5]

Flex from leaf springs is all about the shackle angles. Set them up for lots of droop (more of a flat shackle angle) but keep the shackle angle steep enough that the springs don't hit the frame (or use bump stops to keep the springs from hitting the frame).

I hate my leaves (the rear ones anyway). They cause tons of hop for me and I've bent the crap out of them. I can't wait to get the 4 link finished

[Pto]

I too am stuck on springs. Simple, effective.

Ive got 4 inch lift springs, and 1.5 inch extended shackles- seems to work fine-
the only thing stopping me now is shock travel and body rubbing (78 SB Chev)

[chev-head]

Alrighty so i guess i should do a shackle flip on my 86 chevy and make new shackles that are almost flat so i can droop a lot in the back since it will be on the ouside of the frame i shouldnt have to worry about hitting the frame...

But on the front they are right under the frame ive seen some pics of guys shackle are like bent back wards there called like reverse shackles or something??

Also anyone ever you Teraflex Z boxes??? they look cool! or the shackles that open up and you flex it?

Thanks!

[Pto]

Say NO to the "revolver" shackle.
I didnt do a shackle flip, so I cant help you there-

I used "boomerang" shackles on my YJ, work great-
clear the frame, etc-

[chev-head]

ill look into it on google thanks for the tips!

[krazykarl454]

ya setting up the shackle angles is key, and also a soft spring with lots of droop is important. i've ran leaf springs for the last 5 years and didn't have to many problms with them. my front set up worked great. i had a pair of 8" super lift springs that i pulled the leaf below the main one out. this droped it to about 5-6" of lift. gave it a really good ride. and flexxed like a mo-fo. i also made custom H-bar shackles that were 1.5 inchs longer. and i ran 8" lift rs5000 shocks with it. and a ORD sway bar disconnect set up. heres sum shots of it



h-bar shackles


working a double black at paragon



heres what im workin on now

[gfbgreaser289]

thats what im talking about. i have built one chevy so far with for front suspention and 63" chevy rears people cant believe the flex it gets. you going to use the radius arms and track bar?

[krazykarl454]

nah forget that radius arm BS. i'm doing a long arm 4-link set up, lowers are 39.5" and uppers are 37.5", and i'll be useing a track bar as well to locate the axle. i should have the brackets on the axle done by the end of this weekend. i'll get sum pics of it soon. greaser289 what front end set up you running?

[Grumpy_old_fart]

Originally Posted by krazykarl454

nah forget that radius arm BS. i'm doing a long arm 4-link set up, lowers are 39.5" and uppers are 37.5", and i'll be useing a track bar as well to locate the axle. i should have the brackets on the axle done by the end of this weekend. i'll get sum pics of it soon. greaser289 what front end set up you running?

I used radius arms on my build, but I extended the stock arm about 15 inches and put heims on the ends. worked great for me.

[YZEATER]

i bet the sway bar helped out the flex.

[krazykarl454]

ya i've seen a guy run extended radius arms on a early bronco and it worked well but, a buddy of mine used them when he solid axled his dakota and it didn't flex to good, but he didn't put heims on the ends... and two of my other buddys snap there arms quite often and there only on a 150 and a bronco, my trucks alot heavier and alot more powerful, plus im tryin to keeep as many ford parts off my truck as possible. and i think the 4-link would be alot tricker, and tuffer. im always up for a challenge

[gfbgreaser289]

Originally Posted by krazykarl454

nah forget that radius arm BS. i'm doing a long arm 4-link set up, lowers are 39.5" and uppers are 37.5", and i'll be useing a track bar as well to locate the axle. i should have the brackets on the axle done by the end of this weekend. i'll get sum pics of it soon. greaser289 what front end set up you running?

well i had a 350/203 so i just got a doubler to a ford 205. then i ran a ford hp d44 up front with all ford stuff. trackbar/ radius arms/ early bronco coils and some james duff adjustable shocks. fucker wheels like a champ. and plenty of flex. going to make the passenger side arm pinned when i get back form iraq. also i build a toyota with a chevy 44 front with ford coils radius arms and jeep xj coils and jonny joints on the end and damn did it flex. you might want to check out white rhino's build up of his ranger and take a look at his flex. also i have a 74 ford with a 514 and a hpd60 in the front and a zf 5speed and i havent broken my rad arms at all. and im sure i have alot more torque then that lil 454 you have in your truck.

[krazykarl454]

wil lyou might have more cubes then me but im sure you dont have more then an extra 50 ft-ibs of torque. those ford big blocks are boat anchors, those 460 heads got small valves and can't flow for shit, plus you only got 2 bolt mains, so have fun scraping your bottom end off a trail sum where . ur shits problyaround 600 and mine rated at 575. but any ways thanks for the tips on the radius arms. i'll have to let sum of my ford buddys know about the trick with the johny joints on the end of the arms.

[muddermilitia]

Originally Posted by chev-head

I see tons and tons of threads on 4 linking your trucks there very where over and over the same questions non stop...

But waht i want to know is there anyone on here stickign with leafs springs and that likes leaf springs??

I have all the leafs in my truck still and i want more flex out of them but dont want to go 4 link yet for a year or 2 so was wondering if flex on leaf sprung vehicles is all in the shackle?? or how to get more.

Thanks

shackle angle is very important you want the shackle angled back to allow more droop than compression. Ste your bumpstops so that they will stop the springs from negative arching.

I have heard of people using a non-stick coating between their leaves. I forgot what it's called though.
Also remember that longer springs are going to flex better than a shorter spring, so spring swaps are your friend. 52s, 56s, 57s, and 64s

[chevyburnout1]

I did 52" spring swap on the front of my '77 and I"m hooked. It flexes great!! Having problems with shock length and body/fender rub now. I made custom front spring mounts and used the stock rear mounts. The shackle angle is about 35-40 degrees rearward and I extended them about 1.5 inches for them not to hit the frame. A quick flex with our bobcat got a tire about 4ft off the ground with my 40's stuffed into the front fender. Could have gone more but afraid of tippin. I'm currently making plans for 64 inchers in the back.