Custom TJ Springs

[dejablu311]

Well I have a heavy jeep. With a full tank of gas and just me it weighs in at 4850 with a surprising 53% on the rear axle. This is before I load the back up with gear and fire wood and add a passenger. Add to that 10 more gallons of gas plus the cans and can holders i have for the rear bumper and future plans for a gen long range tank, the situation will only get worse.

The Jeep is supported by 4" teraflex springs. They rode pretty well until I added the oversize tire carrier with a full size 37" spare. The rear is beginning to sag and the shock/spring combo just isn't working. It feels wallowy and on sharp corners i can feel the outside rear tire working hard to maintain grip. This is a dangerous scenario at moderate to high speeds on wet pavement. King shocks will help with the attitude once properly valved for the added weight but that is still just a band aid on a broken arm. What I need are springs with a higher spring rate. It has been a while since I called Teraflex to get a spring rate but I think they said the rear springs are only 110-115 lbs. I think if i could get a hold of some 4" springs in the 180 lb range All would be well.

Does anyone know if A) someone sells a 4" spring with a comparable rate. B) If there is a company that would be willing to make a custom set of springs for.

Spacers are just a band-aid so not interested. I would also like to avoid airbags. I know this can be done. I just don't know where to look.

 

[goodtimes]

OME makes a heavy rear spring for TJs -- but they are only ~ 2" lift. If you combine those with the Nth degree (?) spring relocation kit, you net close to 4" of lift. As a bonus, the relocation takes the bow out of the springs caused by rotating the housing up to use a DC driveshaft on the back (that bow decreases the effective spring rate).

When I did it on my '03 Rubicon, it was a big improvement over the Rubicon Express springs -- but honestly, it wasn't enough. I never weighed my Jeep, but with steel corners, custom bumpers, Easi-Awn supported by a steel rack built around my soft top, fridge, 18 days worth of camping gear for me + my g/f . . . it was a bloated pig. Make sure your shock mounts are up to the extra work too. A big load with a lot of damping is going to test them. Mine failed deep in Baja, making for a less than pleasant ride home.

 

[ccarm]

OME makes a heavy rear spring for TJs -- but they are only ~ 2" lift. If you combine those with the Nth degree (?) spring relocation kit, you net close to 4" of lift. As a bonus, the relocation takes the bow out of the springs caused by rotating the housing up to use a DC driveshaft on the back (that bow decreases the effective spring rate).

When I did it on my '03 Rubicon, it was a big improvement over the Rubicon Express springs -- but honestly, it wasn't enough. I never weighed my Jeep, but with steel corners, custom bumpers, Easi-Awn supported by a steel rack built around my soft top, fridge, 18 days worth of camping gear for me + my g/f . . . it was a bloated pig. Make sure your shock mounts are up to the extra work too. A big load with a lot of damping is going to test them. Mine failed deep in Baja, making for a less than pleasant ride home.

Do you have any pics of that Jeep?

 

[Beowulf]

OME also makes even heavy springs than their old heavy springs. They called Safari spings. They can be ordered if you need the.

 

[lamontagne]

Two US based companies come to mind, first I would try AEV. The scenerio you describe sounds like issues they have tackled before.
Another option would be to call Jeremy over at Rock Krawler. He is very willing to discuss custom options.


Now that I'm typing, I seem to remember someone else with the same issue on another board and I think they used 198? F-150 coils??? I believe they have the same height and coil dia. as a 4in lift TJ coil, but with a much higher spring rate.

 

[goodtimes]

Do you have any pics of that Jeep?

 

[Lumberjack]

Try Rubicon Express, IIRC theirs are 170lbs, it has been several years since I checked the values, ran into the same problem when I had skyjacker softrides, called several companies to find heavier spring, at the time RE had the heaviest - 10 years ago... Also heard Currie has a heavy spring rate to.

Good Luck

 

[klaykrusher]

I would recommend looking into progressive springs. I use AEV and I believe Currie makes them too.

Here is a link to wardrow's LJ thread that may give you ideas.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30269&highlight=AEV+progressive

 

[herm]

i have heard great things about alcan springs in Grand Junction CO. I recently recived 6in lift springs for my wagoneer that are very well made and fit great, I just have not had the chance to test them out. they specilize in off road leaf springs and have some very cool options for hard core off roaders also.

 

[wardrow]

I just did a review of the springs here http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30269&page=6

 

[1911]

Leaf springs (sorry, I don't know much about the various jeep models)? If so, Alcan Spring in Grand Junction, CO is your place. They will build you any springs for any weight, lift, length, etc. you want. I'm running a set of their custom springs on my Land Cruiser and they're fantastic - good ride on the road, holds all my gear up, good flex on the trail. Just be sure to tell them every mod and pound of extra weight you have when you order them.

http://www.alcanspring.com/

 

[Overlandexpeditionspecial]

Do you have any pics of that Jeep?

I just did the AEV coil relocator last night, makes a big difference, unfortunately for me a little too big (should have left the spacer out, their height increase are accurate numbers). I'll be switching out spacers this week to eliminate the raked look.

I've had great luck with the OME heavies, been running them for almost 7 years.

You might also look into outboarding your shocks, that's my next step, as I have tried all the "band aid" shock methods without a success, but many claim it also improved their side to side weight shift problems.

 

[dejablu311]

Thanks for the replies guys. Great info so far.

Wardrow, let me know what your jeep weighs. If the weights are similar then your results are of great interest.

 

[dejablu311]

I think I am going to go with the AEV spring relocation brackets. I will see how much of a difference it makes.

 

[AEV Conversions]

U guys do know we make a "B" rate rear spring specifically for heavy unlimited's and Brutes? They are made in both 3.0" and 4.5".

dh