Longer rear leafs

[STD]

I have been thinking of this idea for my rear suspension. I am not ready to link the rear yet. Has anyone put longer leafs in the rear to get more flex out of the rear? I was thinking of running some 63" chevy leafs or 56" chevy leafs. I have a set of 56 right now that I can run but I am thinking of trying the 63". Has this been tried? I know it is a big conversion in the GM community.

 

[Apogee]

The 63" Chevy springs have been popular in the Toyota ranks for a long time too, however for a rig with as short a wheelbase as the EB, it's not that popular since you're limited with respect to how far you can move your hangers back, especially if you're also trying to extend the wheelbase at the same time. There are some great aftermarket leaf spring options that flex really well, I guess if you can afford a Bronco, you can afford springs for it.

There are a few folks here who have swapped in some F150 springs as well as some other variants...hopefully they'll chime in with their experiences.

 

[STD]

The 63" Chevy springs have been popular in the Toyota ranks for a long time too, however for a rig with as short a wheelbase as the EB, it's not that popular since you're limited with respect to how far you can move your hangers back, especially if you're also trying to extend the wheelbase at the same time. There are some great aftermarket leaf spring options that flex really well, I guess if you can afford a Bronco, you can afford springs for it.

There are a few folks here who have swapped in some F150 springs as well as some other variants...hopefully they'll chime in with their experiences.

I am keeping it stumpy. It is not a money thing. Plus the springs are still shorter and are limited to the amount they will flex.

 

[shamu]

I am trying/working on the same idea. Box up the rear of the frame, replace the front and rear lief spring mounts and move them back 8" . I can cut off old lief spring mounts from a eb but there is really not much to work with. Where can I get get new lief spring spring mounts for an eb?

 

[Oatmeal]

You might want to look at some 2WD Mazda B2000 p/u springs. I procured two sets (four in total) from the wrecking yard for the rear of my Toyota. They're 52" long with a centered pin and are from a spring under configuration so, they have a decent arch to them. I have, recently, thought about a set for my Bronco as they're almost the same width as Bronco springs (just under 2 1/4") and would fit the stock hangers and push the axle back 2".......in fact I have used some old Bronco leaves to build Toyota packs before. Anyway, something to look into?:?----------Hans

 

[STD]

I am trying/working on the same idea. Box up the rear of the frame, replace the front and rear lief spring mounts and move them back 8" . I can cut off old lief spring mounts from a eb but there is really not much to work with. Where can I get get new lief spring spring mounts for an eb?

If I remember right you can get them from Bronco Graveyard. I was just going to fab my own.

 

[Oatmeal]

Here's a write up for a Toyota application http://www.off-road.com/trucks-4x4/tech/toyota-truck-longer-rear-spring-conversion-19163.html .......might find it useful--------Hans

 

[STD]

You might want to look at some 2WD Mazda B2000 p/u springs. I procured two sets (four in total) from the wrecking yard for the rear of my Toyota. They're 52" long with a centered pin and are from a spring under configuration so, they have a decent arch to them. I have, recently, thought about a set for my Bronco as they're almost the same width as Bronco springs (just under 2 1/4") and would fit the stock hangers and push the axle back 2".......in fact I have used some old Bronco leaves to build Toyota packs before. Anyway, something to look into?:?----------Hans

The problem with that is that the bronco 2" lift springs are close to that size. I am planning on fabbing my own hangers and shackles for more flex. I am looking for 2" to 2.5 of lift total. Less if I can

 

[Amac70]

the chevy springs used to be popular swap. there was even a company selling kits for them. with reversed rear hangers for more flex mt where you want them out back for what ever lift you wanted. At the time i was considering it was a lot cheaper then buying a set of bronco leafs. like a 100 in parts plus the springs, vs 400+for bronco specific springs.

 

[DirtDonk]

I'd ditto the Mazda springs that Hans was mentioning. I'm pretty sure that some have done it with the Ford Ranger springs, which would probably be the same thing. Not sure what exact model or year, but they were longer, slightly wider, and flatter than most lifted springs. Should offer a decent ride, as well as decent flex and load capacity.
Don't know the specs on them though. Wouldn't hurt to hop on over to the Ranger sites , like therangerstation.com, to check them out.
Might be some info there you could use.

Paul

 

[STD]

I'd ditto the Mazda springs that Hans was mentioning. I'm pretty sure that some have done it with the Ford Ranger springs, which would probably be the same thing. Not sure what exact model or year, but they were longer, slightly wider, and flatter than most lifted springs. Should offer a decent ride, as well as decent flex and load capacity.
Don't know the specs on them though. Wouldn't hurt to hop on over to the Ranger sites , like therangerstation.com, to check them out.
Might be some info there you could use.

Paul

My main concern is the flex. This rig is 70% trail at this point. As for ride quality I am not really concerned as I have pretty flexy springs in the front. I want to squeeze as much flex out of this rig as possible. If I have to have spring hangers right off the end of the frame I will. I think I need to get measurements on center pin and draw up something to work with. I don't plan on streching it. But I may end up just putting the rear hinger in and using that as my start point.

 

[DirtDonk]

I'd thought of just the rear hanger at the back of the frame. Along with a heavy-duty bumper, that area should make a great anchor point for a longer set of springs.

Paul

 

[STD]

I'd thought of just the rear hanger at the back of the frame. Along with a heavy-duty bumper, that area should make a great anchor point for a longer set of springs.

Paul

Kind of like how the rear is set up on the Ultimate CJ in Peterson's Four Wheel and Offroad?

 

[DirtDonk]

This month? Is it on their website to check out?

Paul

 

[STD]

It was in the last issue. I will find a link. The shackle mounts to the top of the bumper. Very interesting design

 

[STD]

Here is the rear.

The only problem is that I am going for as much down travel as I can. I am limiting the up travel to try to keep it really low