spring over axel vs spring under? is one better then another?

[goldxlt]

what makes a company choose to make their trucks spring over or spring under, it seems that about half the trucks i see are one way and half are the other? for daily driving is their a difference?

 

[97BlackBetty]

For daily driving and all around performance their is a big difference. The main being that a spring under lowers the vehicles center of gravity. Its similar to the way a rangers rear shackles on the leaves are set up, many guys will do a shackle flip to lower vehicles center of gravity and provide a smoother ride.
Justin

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

given two vehicles with the same ride height, one with spring over and one with spring under, most people wouldnt be able to tell the difference under normal driving conditions.

that said, spring under tends to be a bit more stable in corners, at the "cost" of ground clearance. what makes a company choose one over the other is mostly to achieve the desired ride height.

 

[dougs3.0L98]

i have noticed that some "spring under" trucks have more flex. i have some ideas why but i'm still not so sure. The only thing i can tell is that the spring under's have more arch in the springs.

 

[LearjetMinako]

Its mainly of design. Chevy on their S-10's did "springs under". Ford on the Ranger did "springs over". I pefer the "springs over" as it is easier to lift and provides better diff clearance. Compared my 96 Ranger vs 96 Blazer. Even thou the Blazer has bigger tires (235/75R15) and is a 4x4. My Ranger still has more ground clearance with its smaller tires (225/70R15) and being a 2wd.

How they ride different. Once again, its design. But I would have to say the Ranger turns flatter than a S-10 do to the Twin I-Beam and roll bar. But a S-10 does ride a little smoother. Both have their pro's & con's.

 

[alaskan155]

ask ford and the B2(rollover prone, spring over), there fix the exploder(spring under)

 

[AllanD]

For daily driving and all around performance their is a big difference. The main being that a spring under lowers the vehicles center of gravity. Its similar to the way a rangers rear shackles on the leaves are set up, many guys will do a shackle flip to lower vehicles center of gravity and provide a smoother ride.
Justin

The shackle flip does nothing for or center of gravity.
ride height does lower, because you've raised the rear
of the spring leaf by ~5.5"

"smoother ride"? I disagree.
It's the SAME SPRING!

As for spring under making the CG different?
Yes, if it is used to lower ride height.

Otherwise? No.

It just means the springs must be mounted differently
to achieve the same ride height.

Spring UNDER is however somewhat less prone to "Axle wrap".

ask ford and the B2(rollover prone, spring over), there fix the exploder(spring under)

Ahh... No.

the explorers are more rollover resistant due to their wider track
width and longer wheelbase.

But they still roll over.

AD

 

[odie1969]

cars that have a a wheelbase that is closer to a sqare than a rectagle seem to tip over more and are less steady at high speeds that was the problem the wheelbase was almost as wide as it was long.

 

[Mutant Pony]

Allen D got it.
The only real real difference is axle wrap. In a spring under, the axle is close to being centered between the spring eyes. On a spring over the axle is nowhere close to being between the eyes. It's like putting a cheater pipe between the axle and spring.
The reason the factory goes over or under is strictly ride height.