What leaf springs are you guys using?

[ert01]

I'm building a new trailer and I'm looking for opinions on what springs to use... I have run trailer springs and fullsize truck springs in the past with mixed results... the trailer springs always seem to be too hard with very little articulation. The truck springs I used were from a 3/4ton Chev and they had a lot of flex in them but they were for a larger quad hauling trailer and now I'm just building a 600lb enclosed gear hauler.

What have you used and what do you recommend?

I apologize if this has been covered, but I couldn't seem to find any threads dedicated to leaf springs cause there were TONS of results when I searched for "leaf springs"... lol

 

[StumpXJ]

A lot of guys seem to like the Suzuki Samurai springs, as well as certain jeep springs, CJ fronts, or YJ fronts. You can add and remove leafs to 'tune' the amount of stiffness or hight you get out of them.

~ James

 

[ert01]

Fronts or rears or it doesn't matter?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Lightened up LandCruiser springs, FJ55 to be exact

 

[loki646]

Have a set of Rancho Jeep CJ3 replacement springs on order for my M416.

 

[ert01]

I have a line on a set of CJ 2" lift front springs... probably gonna go with them unless anyone thinks I should do something different.

 

[telwyn]

Have a set of Rancho Jeep CJ3 replacement springs on order for my M416.

Mind sharing where you ordered them from and the part # and cost? Thx in advance.

 

[loki646]

I have a line on a set of CJ 2" lift front springs... probably gonna go with them unless anyone thinks I should do something different.

The CJ2 springs should work fine for you, I assume you are building your own mounts?

Mind sharing where you ordered them from and the part # and cost? Thx in advance.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/16033_001.htm

Again I wanted to get Adventure AT's TASS system but being on the opposite coast and they need to do the install, it wasn't a viable option. I might do it in the future if I'm ever out in the area though.

Which I just checked my tracking # and they are in Jasksonville now so I should have them tomorrow....yea me!

 

[elmo_4_vt]

I used a set of Ford Ranger rear leafs since I had them... and they seem to work very well.

-

 

[rk_az]

Jeep YJ for me. Don't know if they are front or back, I didn't build the trailer.

 

[ert01]

The CJ2 springs should work fine for you, I assume you are building your own mounts?

Yeah I am. The springs are being donated to me so I can't complain there. Just gotta find some shackles and then I'll be good to go I think.

Shocks will come at the end when I find out exactly what my ride height is and what I need for length. They'll be one of the last things to go on.

 

[loki646]

Yeah I am. The springs are being donated to me so I can't complain there. Just gotta find some shackles and then I'll be good to go I think.

Shocks will come at the end when I find out exactly what my ride height is and what I need for length. They'll be one of the last things to go on.

Shackles shouldn't really be that hard to just make yourself. I'm going to test my opinion this weekend by getting some heavy steel plating and cut the two pieces and then use Grade 8 hardware. I have the original U-brackets to use as a measure. I'll let you know what I come up with.

 

[ntsqd]

The trick to making shackles even is to tack-weld the two plates together. Then drill & shape before splitting them apart and grinding smooth.

 

[OverlandChronicles]

I replaced everything and gained a few inches of lift

2 Front Leaf Spring for 10-Layer for Jeep (18201.02)
http://www.discountjeepparts.com/product_info.php/products_id/4456

All other parts I ordered from http://www.walcks4wd.com/

2 384228 Bolt pivot F & R spring
1 802061 U bolt shackle L hand thread
1 802062 U bolt shackle R hand thread
4 637936 Shock absorber bushing
4 641916 Shock mount washer
2 359039 Bushing eye F & R spring pivot
4 A-8578 Front U-bolts

 

[highlandercj-7]

I used these to mount my Jeep springs (front and rear CJ and YJ and front grand wagoneer work well, all but the CJ fronts are 2.5" wide leaves the CJ fronts are 2" wide)
I couldn't make mounts for what these cost:
http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.aspx?partID=52369

It's also available in a kit:

As for shackles. Goto Advance Auto and get a set of el-cheapo lift shackles. They are only 15.00 or so and save a ton of time.