Pros & Cons of buggy-leaf set-up????

[Derrick C.]

Since I'm going full width front and rear I was thinkin last night about what to do for the rear. I came up with something......Buggy leaf.

I did some research but nothing of what I'm looking for. I want some info on what leaf to use as the buggy part. Best way to mount it to the frame. Basically the pros and cons. It will be for a non-daily driver so no need to tell me about the massive axle wrap and that stuff. Just info please.

 

[james t]

i helped a friend do this on his wrangler. i assume you're talking about the 3/4 eliptic? were there is a half-leaf at the top?

anyway, we used his stock wrangler main leaves. cut 'em in half with a cutoff wheel. bolted with 4 bolts per side, close together. there is an extra bolt out towards the eye that is used for street use. unbolt at each eye for offroad usage. you will need longer driveshaft(s) and shocks definately.

 

[zensius]

It was my understanding that the Explorer simply weighs too much to pull this off effectively. I'm sure if you wanted it badly enough you could make it work.

 

[Derrick C.]

Well after I get my 9" rear-end back I'm using leafs from an F-150 to help deal with the weight of the X but I figured using a main leaf from a 3/4 or 1 ton truck would eliminate any "its too heavy to do it with" stuff.

I don't know though. I've seen this on one early Bronco and thought it worked well and cheap. Any ideas are welcome.

 

[Brian1]

It would work with a thick main leaf like you said because of the weight. You would need to box the rear frame where the leaf will mount because without boxing it the C-channel frame would want to fold up with the extra stress. You can either use 2 thick u bolts and sandwich the leaf to the frame or bolt it using a few grade 8 bolts probably around the 3/4" size. I have seen them done both ways but usually using bolts.

 

[Limited Ex]

If I remember correctly, CoryL did that on his Ex, after he chopped most of the rear end off

 

[Brian1]

Originally posted by Limited Ex
If I remember correctly, CoryL did that on his Ex, after he chopped most of the rear end off

CoryL did a 1/4 elliptic setup on his Explorer. Derrick is wanting to do 3/4 elliptic. 2 different types of suspensions although similar in some respects.

 

[Limited Ex]

Ahh, I cannot keep numbers straight. I knew it was some fractional number....

 

[james t]

oh yea, i almost forgot. you need to box the frame around the shackle.

 

[CoryL]

It really depends on what you are using up front.

IMHO you want your front and rear suspension to have close the the same amount of flex.

If the 3/4 will seriously outflex the front, you aren't that much better off in my opinion.

The rear leafs from Rangers, Explorers, and BIIs flex pretty damn well from the factory, especially when there are no add-a-leafs and you take out the overload spring.

I'd take the time and money and invest it in making the front suspension work better first or build the front suspension to match the potential ability of the rear.

That said, I don't like 3/4 setups. From what I have seen they act similar to a revolver shackle setup, where when you are climbing a hill, they will load and unload causing some serious hop and a loss of traction.

 

[Derrick C.]

Are you saying a buggy set up is going to give me that load and un-load reaction?? I was kinda thinkin that too but wasn't really sure since climbin is when most of the weight is on the rear. Or not weight but lateral force is to the rear.

Well right now for the front I'm doing what National Springs call "Super Flex Coils." Along with King shocks and hiem joints on everything. I figured that would get me into the ball park I wanted in but I'm lost for the rear.

 

[sirhk100]

Have you talked to National Springs about options for the rear also? Them and Deaver can work magic and make Leaf springs do some pretty remarkable things!!! I've got a set of Deaver "Race" springs that were custom made for my Exploder and they flex REALLY well.

Khris

 

[james t]

just have national build you a pack for the rear with 9,10, or 11 thin leaves. this is what i have on my bronc (jamesduff 10leaf) and they flex as well as my friend's jeep with the 3/4 eliptic- without all the drama. i think Rick has something like this on his...

 

[Derrick C.]

I thought about National and Deavers for the rear but thought I'd go a different route. Yeah my buddy has pair of Deavers on his Ranger and I'm impressed with them but I like to do things different than other people. I haven't seen to many buggy leaf set ups on Explorers so I figured what the hell.

Actually I think I just cured that load and un-loading the rear will do when climbin. TRACTION BAR!!! duh!! Can't beleive I didn't realize that before. Just biuld a set that will allow all travel and won't limit me.