[IN2DEP]

Hey guys

Funny enough I just got my 3" springs from low range today, and just wanted to know would it be a good idea to remove the load leaf for extra flex and smoother ride ?

And should I get new shackels ?

Cheers keith

[BlueSuzy]

IN2DEP wrote:

Hey guys

Funny enough I just got my 3" springs from low range today, and just wanted to know would it be a good idea to remove the load leaf for extra flex and smoother ride ?

And should I get new shackels ?

Cheers keith

Thats pretty funny.. Mr impatient!

Show us some pics of the springs?

[Hybrid]

Try them out first!

[IN2DEP]

BlueSuzy wrote:

IN2DEP wrote:

Hey guys

Funny enough I just got my 3" springs from low range today, and just wanted to know would it be a good idea to remove the load leaf for extra flex and smoother ride ?

And should I get new shackels ?

Cheers keith

Thats pretty funny.. Mr impatient!

Show us some pics of the springs?

Yea I know lol

ill pop out side now and take some pics, give us a sec

[BlueSuzy]

I would also try them first. Being 3" they will be stiff to begin with, but give them a chance, Then if needed, remove after.

Wont need new shackles unless yours are worn. Id put new bushes in while your at it.

[IN2DEP]

Well I got a 1" body lift aswell, so if I remove the load leaf its not like im losing any height or anything, just making them softer

Thats what I was thinking, but ive never done anything like it before so I wouldnt know lol

Oh and where can I get a good set of bushes from ?

[JrZook]

They don't have a load leaf....

[2stroker]

JrZook wrote:

They don't have a load leaf....

Yeah the load leaf is usually a flat leaf that only comes into play when the springs are under load and flexed.

[IN2DEP]

So whats that mean, I dont have a load one ??

[IN2DEP]

So whats that mean, I dont have a load one ??

[Hybrid]

Yeah you don't have one. A lot of us don't. The loss of height from losing a leaf isn't the problem. The problem is you might make it too soft and you'll be bottoming out everywhere and dealing with too much body roll. Been there! Plus if you pull one out now and it feels perfect it wont be once they're worn in.

[rpmwrx]

Rubber bush kit... you can get poly as well, but rubber allows more flex whereas poly will last longer...

http://www.suzispares.com.au/scripts/pr ... roduct=673

[IN2DEP]

Sweet that means I dont have to touch them, RPMWRX are they for my model or are they all the same ?

And are they easy to fit them ??

[rpmwrx]

These will fit any leaf sprung sierra... yes very easy to fit. You should be easily able to install your new springs and bushes in a day. Most people would recommend to replace U-bolts as well while your doing the job. I got my U-bolts from my local ARB supplier.

[IN2DEP]

rpmwrx wrote:

These will fit any leaf sprung sierra... yes very easy to fit. You should be easily able to install your new springs and bushes in a day. Most people would recommend to replace U-bolts as well while your doing the job. I got my U-bolts from my local ARB supplier.

What the u bolts cost ? All up

[rpmwrx]

I can't remember... maybe around $10 ea... so you need 16 of them @ $10 Ea. = $160... A nut and bolt shop would probably stock them aswell...

[Hybrid]

Try 8 u-bolts first, then go to 16 if you buy another Sierra

[rpmwrx]

Haha... Yeah i'm an idiot... 8 u bolts will do the job...

[Gwagensteve]

IN2DEP, do you have extended shock mounts or bumpstop spacing ( or plan them?) If not, I think you will want to pull a leaf from those packs. 3" of lift on stock suzuki shock mounts means you are driving around with the shocks fully extended at ride height (therefore no droop) and you probably have zero chance of reaching the bumpstop due to the spring rate required to hold 3" of lift.

If you extend the bumpstops you can suit the shock length to match the bumpstop spacing and gain back some droop, so long as the shackles can accommodate it.

By all means try them as they are, but I don't think it's the optimal setup without plenty of supporting work.

Steve.

[IN2DEP]

Hey steve,

Yeah I have already front shock hoops and rear shock mants, and also have longer shockers, longer brake lines, drive shaft spacer

Now I hope thats all I need, but if ive missed anything important plz point it out ok

Bumb stops, I havnt realy thought about them what size would yous suggest if im running 3" spring lift 1" body lift 32s with guards copped alil bit ?

[Hybrid]

You'll have to check the range of your hoops and extended shocks. If you can compress all the way to the bumps and droop all the way without maxing your shocks then you're sweet. If your shock bottoms out before the bump then you need to extend them by the difference plus a bit more to allow for compression of the bump stop rubber.

[IN2DEP]

Hybrid wrote:

You'll have to check the range of your hoops and extended shocks. If you can compress all the way to the bumps and droop all the way without maxing your shocks then you're sweet. If your shock bottoms out before the bump then you need to extend them by the difference plus a bit more to allow for compression of the bump stop rubber.

I get ya,

so ill have to fit everything first then I can test it, then work out what size I need

[Ben_Sierra]

Wouldn't it be much easier instead of buying 3" springs then removing leaves to soften them, thus dropping the height around an inch, to just buy 2" springs in the first place?

[IN2DEP]

Ben_Sierra wrote:

Wouldn't it be much easier instead of buying 3" springs then removing leaves to soften them, thus dropping the height around an inch, to just buy 2" springs in the first place?

Well I thought my springs had a load leaf, and removing it would make it softer/flexy but not drop much, maybe 5 - 10mm

But looks like I dont have a load leaf, so im not going to worry about removing anything

[GRPABT1]

You don't have a load leaf but you still have 4 very stiff springs per pack. I run 3 leaves front and 4 rear beacause I load the car with camping gear. If I didn't carry loads I would run 3 leaves in the rear as well. 3 inch springs are just too stiff in stock form. Mine are 3 inch Calmini springs and only after removing leaves and years of wear are they just now how I like them.

[Gwagensteve]

IN2DEP wrote:

But looks like I dont have a load leaf, so im not going to worry about removing anything

I'm not sure it's clear you fully understand what a load leaf does.

The sole purpose of a "load leaf" is to prevent the springs inverting when heavily laden - it's kind of like a progressive bumpstop. In theory, removing a load leaf will make no difference to ride or height until you get close to the bumpstop, when they come into play and prevent bottoming.

In an off road car there's no good reason to use them as you want the car to reach the bumpstop to settle and balance the car when articulating.

On the other hand, you have 3" lift springs. that's the equivalent of driving around with a stock sierra at full droop all the time. In order to hold that height the springs have to be stiff.

My guess is you won't like the ride and you won't get anywhere near the bumpstop. Many 2" lift springs ride poorly and won't get near the bumpstop. 3" is only going to be worse.

Steve.

[GRPABT1]

FWIW the Calmini kit I bought never was intended to reach even the 2inch lowered bump stops as they shocks they supply are too long even for this. When I took leaves out of the pack and reached the bump stops, shock mounts blew.

[Gwagensteve]

A) that's how Calmini roll IMHO

B) That's common of 3" springs on sierras. There is a net loss of spring travel.

[IN2DEP]

Well I better get these springs in asap and do a ramp test lol only way we are going to see is by trying them