[sideways]

G'day.

Who made the springs originally fitted to Sierras and LJs? They seem to be brilliant quality and I'd like a set for the LJ.

Yellas (LJ81) springs are NHK brand and appear to be original, they're fabulously soft but have held their shape remarkably well despite the wear and abuse they've had (Approx 1.5mm-2mm deep grooves where the springs have worn against each other and it was a farm ute all its life).

Thanks

Hayden

[303zuke]

You've answered your own question. NHK springs are OEM for most Japanese vehicles, and they also do aftermarket sizing. APIO's suspensions use NHK springs in up to 50mm lift, but they are low rate springs designed for lightened off-road comp 660cc Sierras with stripped out bodies.

[JrZook]

The reason they seem to ride so well is because they are parabolic (spring thickness tapers off at the ends). It makes the spring rate more progressive.

[sideways]

303zuke wrote:

You've answered your own question. NHK springs are OEM for most Japanese vehicles, and they also do aftermarket sizing. APIO's suspensions use NHK springs in up to 50mm lift, but they are low rate springs designed for lightened off-road comp 660cc Sierras with stripped out bodies.

Cheers! I'l set about messaging NHK tonight and see if they have a seller in Aus.

JrZook wrote:

The reason they seem to ride so well is because they are parabolic (spring thickness tapers off at the ends). It makes the spring rate more progressive.

These aren't parabolic, I haven't measured the rears but the fronts are just a 6mm main leaf, 1l fronts aren't parabolic either. I was under the impression that the only Suzuki 4x4 to come out of the factory with parabolics was the SJ410 Santana?

It's amazing the difference in stiffness between the 6 and 6.5mm springs, with the main leaf separated from all the rest and placed upside down on the ground, you can get the middle of the 6mm spring to touch the ground with the pressure from one foot, jumping up and down on the 6.5mm spring is the only way to make it do the same(to be fair, the 6.5mm has about 20mm more camber). I didn't think the difference would be that great!

Thanks

Hayden

[JrZook]

Well then if you are not running parabolic springs try upgrading to the 1.3WT ones. They are parabolic and 6mm the last time I checked. Apart from my 6mm custom mains and secondary leafs the rest of my packs are cold reset stock WT leafs. Slipper pads and nylon center-bolt spring spacers separate the whole pack. Combined with the koni's these packs ride very well, flex and can carry a descent load.

[sideways]

How can they be parabolic and 6mm? Do you mean Tapered instead of Parabolic?

[JrZook]

The leaves of a parabolic spring are thicker in centre & thinner at outer ends. 6mm is the maximum thickness at the centre.

[sideways]

JrZook wrote:

The leaves of a parabolic spring are thicker in centre & thinner at outer ends. 6mm is the maximum thickness at the centre.

Thanks, odd (but sensible) set up. I know what parabolic leaves are.