Fiberglass leaf springs??

[postalWagon]

I am looking to upgrade my leaf packs in the DJ5. I like that fiberglass is more than 50% lighter than steel, but they cost more than steel, not that it matters the DJ5 takes custom springs in the first place.
Does anyone run on fiberglass springs?

 

[ihatemybike]

I currently don't have fiberglass leafs on anything that I own, but have had a couple Astros with them. The ride really isn't much different. There's been several reported cases on the Astro forums of the springs splintering over time, I don't recall complete failures though. Fiberglass to steel leaf swaps are fairly common, in fact I'm swapping steels onto a 94 Astro Tiger GT this weekend.

 

[Stumpalump]

I don't remember off hand what a DJ5 is and have no idea what you are using it for but this is what I remember about fiberglass springs when the were aftermarket on Jeeps about 15 years ago. They were outstanding untill you modify the rig for maximum articulation or flex. They ride very well when they are flexed in a manner that a stock spring would flex but if you lift it and beat it they can break. Max flex was the rage back then and they got a bad rap. So if you have a mild build then I hope you give them a shot. I'd find out the rated amout of flex they have and build in perfect bumpstops and droop limiting straps to keep them happy. Fiberglass springs on revolver shackles....Hmmm.

 

[postalWagon]

DJ5 is a old mail truck, it is based on a CJ5. The two big differences is 2wd and wide rear springs. the springs I am looking at have a hemi type joint in the end, helps with flex. I can't use the teraflex revolver shackles, my back shackles are xj like.

 

[Stumpalump]

That heim will take some of the twist out of the spring like the revolver. Maybe thats how the makers of glass springs got back on track. Got a link to the spring company?

 

[postalWagon]

this is one of the companies I am looking at http://www.flex-form.com/, they make them to order. I would, however, like to find a Teraflex Fiberflex kit, if they are still made.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

this is one of the companies I am looking at http://www.flex-form.com/, they make them to order. I would, however, like to find a Teraflex Fiberflex kit, if they are still made.

I've not seen or heard of the Teraflex fiber springs in 4-5 years now but they very well may still be offering them or have access to parts. I would give them a ring and see what they can do for you.

 

[bob91yj]

Steel springs are tried and true, I'd stick with them rather than do someone's R&D on an Expo rig.

I look at desert racing as EXTREME Expo travel. The cars are heavy, designed for all types of terrain from pavement to high speed lake beds to near rock crawling...never seen anyone use fiberglass springs on a leaf sprung rig. Trust me, if there was an advantage to them, desert racers would run them.

 

[wjeeper]

I have a set of Teraflex composite leafs waiting to go in a project Jeep that I keep getting stalled out on.......I bought them used and the previous owner used them on a "rock crawler" said he loved them! I think that the idea of the kit fell to the wayside due to the high price and fear mongering that the leafs would not hold up. Everyone I have ever talked to that actually ran them and had actual real life experiance with them really liked them and said they held up great!

Tera-Flex is local to me and I talked with a former employee that helped prototype them........they are composite leafs off the back of an Chevy Astro van with a custom ends on them that use the same joints as their control arms. After looking at the Teraflex leafs I have and Astro leafs in the junkyard I can say without a doubt they are the same, only the Teraflex leafs are coated in a bedliner type materal to give them abrasion resistance.

Looking at Astro vans in salvage yards I can say that maybe 10% of them have splintered leafs in the back......most of those with splintered leafs have had aftermarket tow hitches (i dont think composite leafs were meant to be used for towing) or have been rear ended.

Tera Leafs:

Chevy Astro Leafs:

(not a great photo but compare the "dog bone" shape as well as the typical splintering)

Volvo 960's also have composite leafs:

Corvettes use composite leafs:

Circle track racers swap them in:

They also make conversions kits to swap composite springs into:
-classic mustangs
-Camaro, Firebird and Nova
-53 to 82 Corvette
-62 to 67 Chevy II
-55 to 57 Chevy Car

I think they are more common than most people realize............

 

[wjeeper]

this is one of the companies I am looking at http://www.flex-form.com/, they make them to order. I would, however, like to find a Teraflex Fiberflex kit, if they are still made.

Like I mentioned in my last post Teraflex springs are Astro springs......Astro vans can be found by the dozen in any salvage yard.......several salvage yards on car-part.com list the composite springs for as little as $25. Rumor is Teraflex has a big box of the spring ends sitting down at their shop (Teraflex welded up a bunch of spring ends in anticipation of the springs becomming popular, but they catch on)........you could build your own custom springs and save some money?

 

[postalWagon]

Thanks wjeeper, I will have to give Teraflex a call.
I can get the joint ends I can find the springs for cheap... big smile

 

[wjeeper]

Thanks wjeeper, I will have to give Teraflex a call.
I can get the joint ends I can find the springs for cheap... big smile

Your welcome! I don't know much of anything, but when I do I am more than willing to pitch in my two cents:elkgrin:

With a little scrounging you could fab up a similar suspension suspension system Teraflex offered together on the cheap.

The joint ends are a maybe, heard that rumor from a friend that heard it from a friend who knew a guy that worked for Tera..... practically as good as reality right?

The guys at Teraflex are really awesome! Give them a call. They will steer you straight! If they dont carrythe spring ends anymore I can send you some pics of the ones I have now and/or fab you up some. Plus for a little 2X4 dispatcher Jeep the stock astro bushing ends should suffice.

P.S. I have a soft spot for DJ5's......share the love! Share some pics! Sounds like you have quite the DJ-5, 20MPG......I am jealous!

 

[postalWagon]

The DJ5 is a monster, after I get more parts there will be a build thread with LOTS of pictures.