leaf spring free arch?!

[Eddo Rogue]

I am shopping for leaf springs, already started a thread on determining weight rate, but this subject probably deserves its own, for I have also found various free arch options.

I get what it is, but what does it translate to? what are the pros/cons of more or less free arch?

How does more free arch affect it? (axle wrap/travel/ride height etc)

Once again google failed me, but you guys always come through!

 

[Ramcharger90]

 

[Blmpkn]

Spring rates being the same, I would imagine more free arch would mean more travel, therefore higher ride height. It would decrease the eye to eye measurement.. But the shackle would just swing forward a touch to make up for it.

Your just over complicating things I think although, you do have me curious to learn something new though so keep it up lol

 

[lvwill]

I was looking into this a while back. There are f150s that have the same width and length springs with enough arch to eliminate the factory blocks. I got distracted and discouraged on the project and never went any further. Now the ranger got replaced with a 2020 but the b2 is still under construction in the garage.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Spring rates being the same, I would imagine more free arch would mean more travel, therefore higher ride height. It would decrease the eye to eye measurement.. But the shackle would just swing forward a touch to make up for it.

Your just over complicating things I think although, you do have me curious to learn something new though so keep it up lol

Agreed, I am an overthinker....I am sorry, and also you are welcome lol.

On that note, what you said makes sense, but now what if my shackles are worn/tweaked/bind...I'd maybe replace them too just to be safe.

I am also a what if-er I have problems....

Options can be a blessing and a curse. It leads me away from "give me the cheapest u got" and into the "give me one of each"....
Trying to avoid both, or find the balance between them, Id like to ultimately find a nice set of stock replacement leaf springs to get me by until the next phase of installing a lift kit (which could be days, months, years or a decade...my life is sedentary yet volatile)...and in the meantime provide a good compromise of load tolerance and ride quality.

Im thinking max free arch springs (6") , 3/1 4 leaf, 1-7/16" thickness in same load rating (1100lbs), and some good shocks with maybe a lil extra travel, and replace the shackles if suspect....

My other consideration being 4-13/16" free arch, 1250lb, 4 leaf (3/1), 1-7/8" pack thickness....

Decisions decisions.....

 

[Eddo Rogue]

So I did some research and from what I could find, stock spring arch for the 1100lb leafs is 6.5".....I would definitely like to eliminate the stock blocks.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I was looking into this a while back. There are f150s that have the same width and length springs with enough arch to eliminate the factory blocks. I got distracted and discouraged on the project and never went any further. Now the ranger got replaced with a 2020 but the b2 is still under construction in the garage.

Would you happen to know what year(s) F150 leafs fit? I would definitely like to eliminate the factory blocks.

 

[lvwill]

It's in the 90's
Leaf springs are the same width and length and pin in approximately the same location.
If I remember correctly the 1750 springs would eliminate the factory blocks. I think that was the lightest springs available at the time. Please