cutting leaf spring binders???

[ld50]

I read in a thread somewhere about a guy who cut off the part on his leaf springs that holds the forward part of his springs together (1st gen).
Apparently he did it for more droop, and welded u-bolts onto the main leaf, pointing down to keep them from twisting. I can`t find any more info about this mod right now.
Has anyone heard of, or done this? If so, is it worth it, does it have a negative effect for ON-road performance, or what?
I`ve been pondering the Zim mod, but this one caught my eye.

 

[mrboyle]

Instead of completley removing them, you can just cut the ears that are folded over off. It will help, but not a whole lot.

 

[ld50]

So I guess doing just that doesn`t affect suspension enough to make it worthwhile?
I`m probably being greedy anyway
Only got 1/2 inch more of extension or so left on my stock shocks, so maybe I should focus on something else for now....until I get longer ones, or modify my shock mounts, mua ha ha.

It never ends

 

[Alec]

no, it never ends. Once the bug bites you're poisoned for life!

 

[zensius]

Actually I've been trying to do this mod for quite a while. I haven't been able to find and u-bolts that are the proper width near my home. I think it would be a good thing to do but it needs to be done right. Without those clips the spring move all over the place.

 

[Maniak]

We have the OME springs.. which are built this way (I can put a bolt beteen the two verticle pieces if I want to limit it.. but you don't need it)..

I've seen people just weld bolt looking things on the side of the bottom spring to keep them from twisting.. (seems to work)..


If you shocks aren't your limiting factor.. Doing this mod will help.. Here is a pic of how much they can seperate if you have this mod..

This pic was taken on the same day and you can see how much droop I can get..

 

[ld50]

Right on!

Looks like alot of droop there for sure. Seen a few pics of your truck around the site and it is very impressive, nice job!
Couple of questions though Maniak:

OME springs, what do you mean by that? I think I`ve heard the term but can`t place it.

The rear of the springs look strange. It looks like a big round thing there. What is that about?

Your shocks look like they are mounted to a different point up top. Is that true? If it is, could you elaborate? close-up Pics?

Oh and I noticed your yellow roof racks before! Just trying to be differrent were you? Definitely makes ya stand out! Ever get any disaproving remarks about em?

 

[jonny 5]

OME- Old MAn Emu or Original Manufacturers Equipment (aka OEM)

 

[Maniak]

OME is Old man emu.. and brand of springs (distributed by ARB)..

The part number is ARB-36

Those round things you see on the back of the springs are wheels.. It keeps the shackles from digging into rocks and getting me stuck when I come off a rock ledge..

Yolanda wanted the flouresant(sp?) green/yellow on the truck.. so she found flouresant green/yellow house paint and put it on the sides of the truck.. At that point I was commited, so I added it to the roof racks and the trim around the instrument cluster..

it actually looks pretty good, and I can find the truck in a parking lot.. (even in a parking garage.. it kinda glows off the roof of the parking garage)..

The next step is going to be to paint it "glow in the dark" green (it actually glows yellow in the dark)..

 

[ld50]

Hey guys, I threw this out in another thread as just a different idea, but I really want to try it, so stop me if you think I`m nuts.

I`m going to do the Zimmerman to my rear springs.
My half baked Idea is to get the rivets out of the rearward part of the springs and clamp the front together, That way when they droop, then the springs will separate at the back keeping my differential more in line with the driveshaft.



Comments??

 

[Ryan1]

Hey Id50,

are you sure you arent thinking of the Zimmerman Mod?

its where you take the Main Leaf off the rear of a ranger and add it to the top of your pack and you cut the eye bolts off your spring. it something simmilar to that I might be wrong on the order of the leafs.

but the end result is you get hella travel out of the rear guys were cracking their body mounts from the twisting.

Ryan

 

[ld50]

Huh?

I am talking about the Zimmerman mod, as a matter of fact I mentioned it by name too!
-You ok bud?

like I said, I want to get the rivets out and bind the front of them, so instead of them separating at the front. they will separate at the rear. By separating I mean when they droop there will be gaps forming between some of the leafs.

 

[Ryan1]

Ive gotta learn to JUST SAY NO

 

[Maniak]

You can see from the pic farther up in this thread that the front does seem to open up more than the rear. If you clamp down the front only.. you won't get as much flex as you could..

Sooo..

All it will do is limit your flex.. but if you already have enough.. (is there such a thing) then your fine...

~Mark

 

[ld50]

lol, no sweat, I told some guy here to ask at explorerforum.com. I thought I was on another board!

You can see from the pic farther up in this thread that the front does seem to open up more than the rear. If you clamp down the front only.. you won't get as much flex as you could..

Yeah, but my springs are riveted on the rear, so I don`t think they open up at all, unless I free them up. Hmmmm...

 

[Robb]

Hate to break into your thread Id50, but I had to ask.

I have my leaves out right now. I was in the process of installing add a leafs 'til I had to take them to work today to cut off the leaf bolts (damn round headed bolts). So, right now I have them off with the helper springs on and that thing that holds them together.

To get max lift out of my aals, should I do anything? It would be much simpler to make any changes now than later.

Thanks for any help,

Robb

 

[2001ExpSport]

Here is a shot of stock leaf springs with WP shackles. I personally think you'll get more travel with shackles. Shackles are easier to install and cheaper.

This is with the shocks in the stock location. I can get(and have gotten) 2 more inches of down travel. If you do this you need to relocate you brake line brackets.

 

[ld50]

That`s a nice set up there, for sure, 2001ExpSport.

I have War 153s on mine and am just greedy that`s all. I want more!!
I am lengthening my brakeline tonight, to prep for the Zim mod, but till now I just bent the brake line bracket, which gave me just enough. (must be different, mines a 93 4 door, right)

To get max lift out of my aals, should I do anything?

I should say I been scratchin my head till i figured out what aals meant-very cryptic of ya!

-Just put them in there, in the proper place, can`t do much else to them, but you can add some longer shackles, which lifts a bit more and gives more articulation like you see in the pic previous.

Oh yeah, some guys leave out the overload leaf at this point, to gain more stuff. I MIGHT leave it out when I have it all apart, but can`t decide yet.

Or as I found out, to get more droop, you can cut those binders off. Also have to do something to keep them from twisting if you do that though.

Of course when ya mess around back there you gotta watch for the brake line, emergency brake cable and breather hose.

(no sweat on interrupting the thread, I`m already off-topic anyhow)

 

[ld50]

I`m a moron, really.
Why did I think there was rivets in my springs? I don`t know, sorry guys, I guess there is only one way to do the Zimmerman mod here.

Doh! I feel embarrased! maybe I should say no.