ok, this may just be the stupidest question to some of you out there but i havent seen anything about it, so me being a no0b is sorry, but on a solid axle truck, do you absolutely HAVE to have leaf springs? i dont see what the point of having shocks is if you cant use them, wouldnt you want to get rid of the leaf springs to get more flex? i just need to know how you would obtain masive flex. and leaf springs just seem pointless

 

No it doesn't have to be leaf.
http://www.hunt4steve.com/

 

how do you accomplish that? just get shocks and put springs around them and youre pretty much set?

 

Yeah just get some shocks and springs and bolt them on.

 

Well, you don't do that, a company does, as they are special, but that is the basic idea.

Those run 200-500 per corner, depending on what type you get. They are awesome.

Also, you can get a lot of flex out of leaf springs. You just have to pay for them, and build them right.

 

Guys use leaf springs because:

Our frames (up to 1995) where pretty much the same since the factory solid front axle trucks. Since everything is in place, leaf springs line up perfect on the frame. Leaf springs are cheap and easy to work with, coils can be more dificult since you need to fab some sort of link setup to keep the axle in place. With leafs you get all that in the spring packs.

 

Lots more difficult. Leaf springs are, as stated, stupid easy. They flex well, give you a stable ride on the highway, and are damn near bolt on.

Links require a knowledge of geometry. While it is high school level stuff, considering most on the net can't even spell or punctuate, its a tall order. In addition to getting the angles and lengths exactly right, there are issues fitting them on the trucks. You have to clear exhaust, driveshaft, oil pan, yada yada yada. In addition, you often need a sway bar of sorts to make the truck stable on the highway, depending on the system. Since you put on the link set up to get a bunch of flex, the sway bar must be removable. This adds to the complication, but only slightly.

Essentially, if you have a truck that has a body that you care about, leaf springs vs coils/coilovers is a wash. You won't be limited in the slightest by a leaf spring suspension. If you are running comp buggies, that is a different story.

 

if you dont want leafs than i would suggest the ors coilover kit

 

I suggest you don't buy a single thing and read every thread on yotatech and a few on pirate.

 

ya wow you should try and run just shocks with no springs or links and see what happens...you'll get massive something...

 

Well if it somehow managed to drive you would have a kow rider with custom axle wrap and bump stop suspension!

 

Wow, isn't that the truth?

88yota, I actually would agree with those who have encouraged you to read. If you're really curious as to how these different suspension designs work, you can learn a massive amount just by reading what other have discovered through their own research and development.

It is nice to have something that works and know WHY and HOW it works.