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What leaf spring set-up gives the best (softest) ride on a vintage flat fender??

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by Jordan, Oct 19, 2011.

  1. Oct 19, 2011
    Jordan

    Jordan Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2011
    Messages:
    52
    Any advise on leaf springs for a soft ride (relatively speaking) for a vintage flatty?

    Thanks,


    Jordan
     
    Jordan, Oct 19, 2011
    #1
  2. Oct 19, 2011
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
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    5,469
    Holbrooks - no question about it. Those paired with some Rancho 9000s and it's as good as it gets.
     
    Warloch, Oct 19, 2011
    #2
  3. Oct 20, 2011
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
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    12,529
    What Warloch said. I'm biased though. I got to test drive one of the prototype sets....
     
    nickmil, Oct 20, 2011
    #3
  4. Oct 20, 2011
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    My butt and lower back is biased too :)
     
    Warloch, Oct 20, 2011
    #4
  5. Oct 21, 2011
    tobyw

    tobyw Member

    Richland, WA
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    Aug 9, 2005
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    77
    Having riden in a couple of different Holbrook-equipped flatties, I have to agree with the above if you are looking to stay with relatively minor swap/fab work. That said, I was blown away at the difference in ride quality when I went to a simple shackle reversal setup in the front of my '47, still using the Superlift 1" leaf packs...
     
    tobyw, Oct 21, 2011
    #5
  6. Oct 23, 2011
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
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    4,275
    Pretty much any aftermarket spring setup will ride better than the stock springs, especially old stock springs. The longer leaf setups (Holbrook, YJ conversion, etc.) will likely give the best ride but as other have mentioned there is a fair amount of fabbing and welding involved with those setups.

    One of the things that a lot of folks overlook is how they install whatever springs they choose. If you crank the shackle bolts down hard you will have a horrible ride because the springs cannot flex if the shackles can't pivot.

    I put stock replacement springs under my flatty, with poly bushings, stock replacement shocks and "H" shackles and I was never impressed with the ride. My '73 has a 2.5" BDS lift on it with matching hydraulic shocks and it rides like a dream. I wish I had gone that route 10 years ago! I briefly considered going with a YJ conversion, but I simply didn't want to get into that big of a project.

    Best of luck!
     
    w3srl, Oct 23, 2011
    #6
  7. Oct 24, 2011
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
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    X2 on the shackle reversal. No better ride improvement out there. I have had a few sets of BDS springs and been very impressed with them.
     
    Daryl, Oct 24, 2011
    #7
  8. Oct 24, 2011
    BlueComet

    BlueComet 1962 JEEP CJ-5

    Montrose, Colorado
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2006
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    204
    X3 on the BDS. I haven't done a shackle reversal, but the new BDS springs and shocks are a great improvement on their own.
     
    BlueComet, Oct 24, 2011
    #8
  9. Oct 25, 2011
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
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    May 25, 2006
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    I just re-read the post and saw flatty on it. BDS still doesn't list a flatty application. Not a problem if you can do some fab and use early 5 springs. They are a couple inches longer and will probably ride better anyway.
     
    Daryl, Oct 25, 2011
    #9
  10. Nov 2, 2011
    tiptoptune2

    tiptoptune2 Member

    Colorado
    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2008
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    71
    I installed YJ BDS 2 1/2 springs in rear SUA, bastard pack of YJ springs in front SUA, shackles not too tight and have proper angle, used Monroe gas shocks for a f350 (cheap 13 inch travel shocks, yeah I know they may be too stiff) stretched wheelbase 6 inches and am not very impressed with softness of ride. My opinion comes from living and driving frequently on gravel washboard road, paved roads and off road trails. Vehicle is a cj2a fiberglass body, 225 v6, 8274 winch so I would not think it is much lighter than a factory flat fender. I checked with Fox Shock to see if diffferent shocks would help and they told me that with a fiberglass body the vehicle is too light for a soft ride out of most any leaf spring, anyone with similar setup care to share their thoguhts? I have heard from others that have used BDS springs that feel they are a stiff riding spring. Also have read that Rubicon Express are a good option. Anyone have any Rubicon Express spring actual experieince? Sorry if I hijacked the original question a bit, just looking for good advice as well.
     
    tiptoptune2, Nov 2, 2011
    #10
  11. Nov 2, 2011
    cj6/442

    cj6/442 Sponsor

    Fallbrook, Calif
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    Feb 6, 2008
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    well, all I can say is wow , I have an old 5 ,,,I just took off my 15+ yr old skyjacker CJ7 soft rides and I just installed new 3" Black Diamond Cj7 springs , wow what a difference just backing the jeep out of the driveway , much softer/smoother ,can't wait to really drive it around , I have Fox shocks on my jeep and they work very well ,,,but my jeep is very fat and that makes it ride so well...a light rig is not going to ride as good a a heavy one
     
    cj6/442, Nov 2, 2011
    #11
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