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07-01-2012, 05:38 PM | #1 |
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8 or 10 leaves?
I've been working on leveling out the suspension on the '31 pickup. In the process I see that there is only an 8 leaf spring in the rear. I assume someone was trying to soften the ride. I'm pretty sure I want to increase the load capacity over what it is with the current spring. However, I thought I'd get some input about how the ride would be affected.
Any thoughts?
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07-01-2012, 05:59 PM | #2 |
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Re: 8 or 10 leaves?
Probably going to get stiffer..............
paul in CT |
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07-01-2012, 06:30 PM | #3 |
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Re: 8 or 10 leaves?
someone put a 10 leaf in my coupe. very, very stiff. went to 8 much better.
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07-01-2012, 07:11 PM | #4 |
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Re: 8 or 10 leaves?
I believe pickups originally came with 10 leave spring to increase the load capacity. I would think using a 8 or maybe a hybrid 9 leaf would make the ride nicer at the expense of less load capacity. Model A pickups don't have much box room for loads anyway. I have a 29 CCPU and haven't decided what spring to use.
Rusty Nelson |
07-01-2012, 07:40 PM | #5 |
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Re: 8 or 10 leaves?
I replaced my pickup spring with one sized for a roadster. Like it much better.
Charlie Stephens |
07-01-2012, 09:33 PM | #6 |
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Re: 8 or 10 leaves?
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07-02-2012, 12:21 AM | #7 |
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Re: 8 or 10 leaves?
The PU,s used the 10 leaf spring that used a higher deflection rate than the 10 leaf ones used on the sedans.When I had my 31 PU,I used the 8 leaf coupe spring & it rode much better.
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07-02-2012, 04:23 AM | #8 |
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Re: 8 or 10 leaves?
Likewise when Ihad my 29 pickup I put in an 8 leaf spring and it rode much better and the truck sat even. I still had good load capacity if you didn't fill it with stone or gravel. The 10 leaf made it ride so hard it was like there was no spring at all.
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07-02-2012, 11:24 AM | #9 |
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Re: 8 or 10 leaves?
Thanks for the input, gentlemen.
Still in a bit of indecision. Not sure I can live with the load capacity as is. The pics show the way just a 600 lb. load made the suspension labor. But, "made it ride ho hard it was like there was no spring at all," doesn't sound very good either.
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07-02-2012, 11:26 AM | #10 |
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Re: 8 or 10 leaves?
Make two trips.................
Paul in CT |
07-02-2012, 11:34 AM | #11 |
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Re: 8 or 10 leaves?
Mine rode very rough, then found out there were 12 leafs and totally rusted together to the point that when I twisted off the center bolt and unclamped it, the leafs didn't come apart! Restored it to 10 lubricated leafs and like it a lot.
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07-02-2012, 12:03 PM | #12 |
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Re: 8 or 10 leaves?
I have a spring with one leaf removed & air leveler shocks in the back of my 160B. Easy to adjust ride height! The air gives a soft, comfy ride, unlike a stiffer leaf spring.
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07-02-2012, 01:11 PM | #13 |
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Re: 8 or 10 leaves?
I have 10 leaves in mine, Like Farmputzer says "Keepem Greased"
IMO What good is a truck if you can't put a load in it ? Thats what Henry made them for!! John Cochran |
07-02-2012, 01:59 PM | #14 |
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Re: 8 or 10 leaves?
Mine also has 12 leaves in the rear (the two above the main leaf are doubled).
It rides pretty hard, but it sure can carry a load! I recently added shocks, which were missing, and that helped control the ride a lot. |
07-02-2012, 05:16 PM | #15 | |
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Re: 8 or 10 leaves?
Quote:
I plan to weld up a lumber rack for it. Just don't want to spend $250, and ruin the enjoyment off driving it. Tough call.
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07-02-2012, 08:39 PM | #16 |
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Re: 8 or 10 leaves?
If it's not a show car, then use some of the teflon spring liners from Macs and other suppliers. Better than grease, doesn't attract dirt, and it's a one time job.
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07-03-2012, 01:16 AM | #17 |
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Re: 8 or 10 leaves?
Dont forget,the"A" PU,s were rated as a 1/4 ton,not a 1/2 ton.Many years ago,I loaded my OCPU with as much gravel as I could get on it.I tried to drive away & found that the rear fenders were resting on the tires and the truck wouldnt budge.I used a Jack-ALL & raised the back end & shoved a block of wood between the banjo & crossmember & drove home with what seemed like power steering!
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07-03-2012, 10:04 AM | #18 |
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Re: 8 or 10 leaves?
Turns out its the wife who made the final call for me.
"if you don't put the truck spring in it, you'll end up pining after another truck. And I'm not letting an AA follow us home." So rough ride or not, I'm going with 10.
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07-03-2012, 10:46 AM | #19 |
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Re: 8 or 10 leaves?
Oh Dear !!! Sounds Like we struck a Nerve on that one
I think you'll be fine with the 10 leaves Any way a sore rear is a lot easier to put up with than a sore Wife !!!! IMO John Cochran |
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