Negative arch springs...

Disregarding the "Why?" for the time being...

What vehicles were available with a negative arch spring?

YJ springs were perfectly flat...

I seem to remember the front springs in C-10 and K-10 Blazers/pickups having a negative arch, and my research is showing the C-10 as having a 1290# spring capacity. 2 1/12" wide, 52" long, centered pin, which might be a bit longer than I'm after. Were they negative arch from the factory, or just worn out?

Ford F250s were negative arch with 25" in front of the offset pin, but are way too stiff unless I just use the main leaf and snail wrap leaf, but I'd probably then have to incorporate a traction bar to prevent axle wrap.

Any suggestions to throw in the pot?

 

My 84 blazer had them. Ride was awful.

 

The Chevys were definitely negative arch from the factory.

 

1988 Dodge Power Ram also had them.

 

78/79 F-250 were also as well as the later models with TTB. I'd guess the rate is less on the straight axle springs.

 

So flip some flat YJ springs over... The why has me curious though...

 

Thanks for the input guys.

You might be onto something. Open the pack, swap the friction pads to the backs of the springs, reassemble the packs backwards.

Spring steel is spring steel, right? A spring shouldn't care if it is being pushed one way or the other.

My only reservation to doing that would be that the vehicle's weight would be on the top of the spring eye. The weight would be "opening" the spring eye, as opposed to sitting on the flat of the spring.

International pickups did that at the shackle-end with skinny little 2" front springs. I guess if they weren't worried about it on a 1-ton truck....