spring rate

[powerwagon]

spring rate,im calculating diffrent spring packs i have, trying to understand wuts best for flex.now i dont know wut to do about my over load leaf how do i add it as another leaf? i dont plan on leaving it on but would like to know wut the diffrence is if any
http://www.thedirtforum.com/leafspringrate.htm
so far i got 108.60on my rear ranger springs and 144.81 if i add 1 more leaf to the pack

would like some input and good ideas for rates that you all are using and like

 

[powerwagon]

http://littlekeylime.com/MrN/mrnimages/leaf_springs.png

 

[4x4junkie]

Leaf spring rates can be heavily influenced by the shackle angle & it's length, so I would take any figures for them somewhat lightly.

The overload leaf adds a highly progressive curve to the spring's rate. I would not run without it completely though, it does provide some crucial support for the rest of the leaves right at the leaf perch (without it, they may bend and/or crack after some time). If the OL leaf is almost (but not quite) flat, reinstalling it upside down can lessen it's progression effect while still providing some support for the rest of the pack. This should help improve flex (I run inverted overloads on my BII).

 

[powerwagon]

ummmm.can i see a pic of that, and your shackle angle?
my over loads on my ranger 3 leaf pack a pritty much strait...but i was recerching hard on pirate and allot of ppl are removing the overload? and the ppl that have not are told to remove it for flex...wtf? im thinking on trying a inboard 88-98 2wd chevys with out over loads...o0o0o and do you know if the length of each leaf efect axle rap and flex? i have bookoos of springs and if i maybe bilt a 3 lead pack with the longest leafs posible??

 

[4x4junkie]

Many people do remove them. The leaves breaking due to fatigue doesn't happen right away though. During that time the flex is awesome, but IMO the expense in spring life just isn't worth it to me, plus it increases the spring windup more too (having the OL inverted is almost as good anyway. Until you really stuff the wheel into the fender good, it won't make any contact with the rest of the pack).

Explorer springs on my BII with inverted OLs:



They still flex quite well

 

[powerwagon]

hell yea thanks ill try shackles tomaro, se if it gets better

 

[marvilusone]

On mine I removed the overloads, opened up the spring clamps and added 2" shackles. Stock Ranger 3 leaf packs(not counting overload) and factory blocks still in place. No axle wrap yet with a 2.3L & 5sp and it flexes like mad. It flexes well enough to push them into negative arch. I'm not worried about the life of them though as mine is trail only and Pull-A-Part has more than enough spare leaf packs for me at $32 a pair. I have 16" travel shocks and I can max them out on both stuff and droop. Now if I can just get the front to do the same.

 

[powerwagon]

so your total shackle lanngth is? you added 2" shackels?are you saying you extended them 2" ?

 

[marvilusone]

2" longer shackles. They're actually lowering shackles for a Chevy C1500. Belltech 6400's IIRC
I'm running 33's and with trimming I have more than enough lift. I'll try to get some pics up soon.

 

[powerwagon]

o0o0o ok i got ya