Spring Compression

Does anyone have a good measurement or guess how much the factory springs compress from a relaxed state to vehicle weight? I figure about 1” to 1 1/2” at most. Sound about right?

 

This. Some are darn near rigid.

 

Thanks Howard...I have 12 in the front & 13 in the rear. They are definitely heavy duty, looks like something off of a Kenworth. I can’t imagine the springs would compress anymore than an 1” with the Jeeps weight on them.

 

Yes, I have a Willys Wagon with the super heavy duty rear springs, 16 leaves (I just counted!). I have never been able to get any flex except the tire sidewall.
-Donny

 

I have always wondered why so many thin leaves? The Rancho's I used are too stiff, thicker leaves. I think I am going to change them, I would like a better ride, spills my drink.

 

Really no concern, just trying to get a grasp on which direction I want to take, as my springs are needing replaced soon.

 

Thinner leafs flex better than thick ones. Think about bending a piece of metal with your hands. Now the key is to get the right amount of leafs to support the load needed and reduce the friction between them. Look at a set of high quality off road race springs.

 

That character is my idol.

 

I do a lot of fishing the high lakes, so mostly old logging roads, some basically animal trails. Just looking for a better ride & trying not to beat myself or the Jeep up anymore. I was looking at yj springs as an option & trying to figure ride height with the stock yj springs or if I want a little more lift for a little bigger tire.

 

My Ren II came with retarded leaf packs. I started by removing a couple in each pack in an attempt to soften the ride. In the end I wound up with a Rancho 2.5 lift that rode light years better than the stock units.
If you are looking for a softer ride, I would suggest this with a set of the cheapest automobile shocks you can find. Add lowering your tire pressures a tad and you may find the ride acceptable without any real modifications.

 

I’m probably going to experiment with removing some leafs before I get to excited about making drastic changes.

 

i took out 3 leafs in the front of my 2a which lowered it some and made it ride much better. Later added one back in the driver side because it had some lean. But its also a spring over so it may be too low for you. Also make sure your shocks arnt too stiff. Get some that compress easily by hand and stiffer on rebound. Anyway dont be afraid to experiment with what youve got because chances are buying new parts will bring on problems of their own.