ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Technical Discussion - Performance / Modify => Topic started by: 87Suzi on March 06, 2012, 07:49:29 AM
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How does adding a leaf to the existing pack work? I know you add it and it lifts it, but my question is how do you know which leaf to add to a stock sami leaf pack? Can you just use one that fits or are there certain criteria? I've heard mention of using S10 springs and getting 1-2". Can someone enlighten me? I can get my hands on all kinds of S10 parts where I live. Also, can I get some more detail on how to actually go about adding one to mine? Thanks for replies.
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spring steel is spring steel, just find one that has the same width and cut and shape the spring to fit where you want it to go.
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So i could just find one that is the same width as mine, cut it to like 8 inches long and run it as the shortest of the springs in the pack and that alone will lift it 1-2"? That sounds too good to be true.
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NO...
The idea is to not only add a leaf , but to add arch at the same time.
We usually cut the new spring to fit in the pack directly below the main spring.
This makes it the second longest in the pack...
Lift is determined by , how much arch the new spring has , and how stiff the new spring is....
And of course, the thickness of the new spring...
2" is asking a bunch from this mod......Boxcar...
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Sammies ride stiff anyway. Add a spring and you get stiffer. If you just want a little lift, there are easier and better ways to do it. Rear up front, Shackle reverse, OME springs or even longer shackles. Add a leaf is good if you are carrying a real heavy load but ride like a brick empty.
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I don't want 2" just 1-1.5"... what are some vehicles to look at taking the springs from?
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Im already doing the 1.5" shackle lift
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He's right .There are easier ways to lift 1.5"..
Lets start with your current set up.
Is your Zuke totally stock ??? SPOA'd ? Tire size ? etc.
Do you intend to wheel it , or is it a DD ?
...Boxcar...
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It's pretty much bone stock (ugly rims) and it's a DD for now. I've got shackles on the way and they should be here by this weekend. I don't want ridiculous lift just like 3" and I'm on a budget so I'm trying to find a way to get the other inch without going broke. I do have a few trails around me that I plan to ride and I've riden them before but I don't need a rock crawler to make it. Tell me how this shackle reversal works and the RUF
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Repack the springs. Using a cut down main spring from a donor rig.... Or pick up another set of stock rears .
Running rears all the way around will add 1 - 1.5"
But will require other mods to work correctly. Due to the axle relocation they will cause.
Don't go over 1.5" with the shackles......Boxcar...
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The shackles are 1.5". So what's shackle reversal and how's it work?
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A shackle reverse system is a bolt on or weld on system that reverses the spring mounting system on the front axle. (shackles in rear / spring mount in front.)
Most Kit's start at $250 - $260
A very good upgrade to your Zuke.. It will drive like a dream.. And add stability....Boxcar...
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S10 leafs are 2.5" wide. Samurai leafs are 2" wide. YJ leafs are 2.5" wide.
I am using the second longest leaf from an S10/blazer pack with my 4 leaf YJ packs. I got 2" of lift out of it and didn't lose any flex.
If you have samurai packs, then you will have to find a spring pack that has 2" wide leafs. There are some CJ springs that are 2" wide. And CJ springs have a pretty good arch to them. So that would be something to look for.
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76 or newer cj 5 -7 ....Boxcar...
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so even since they are pretty flat can you do the trick where you flip the stock springs over?
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No....Boxcar...
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First, if you get shackles that are 1 1/2" longer than stock, you'll only gain 3/4" of lift. If you can score a Calmini shackle reverse, you'll gain 2". Anything over 2" or so, you will have to address the steering and shock issues. RUF with CJ's in the rear will give you a good ride and the lift you are looking for I think. OME springs ride good and give you 1 1/2" of lift or so. Do some searches on here or some of the other forums and you can find writeups on these mods as well as others. They have been done several times.
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Sorry I probably should have been clearer, the shackles are going to provide 1.5" of lift. IF I bought the Shackle Reversal kit (bolt on) AND ran my new shackles that would put me where? 3.5" of lift? Then I would have to address steering issues. I may end up doing that after I run the shackles for a little while because it would be nice to have this "it rides like a dream" feeling. So I think this is the route we'll go, now I have an idea can you guys point me in the direction I need to be in to do this? And what I will need/best place to get it. Thanks
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Sounds like some long shackles.
If you end up with 1.5" of pure shackle lift. you're going to have to correct your Caster angle in the front end back to it's origanal setting. Or it will wander like a pig.......
OME 1.5 lift springs will gain the other 1.5 bringing you to 3"
With a set of wedges (installed correctly) to return you to the correct caster angle. Probably 3 degrees or so.
Now you will need to add extended brake lines.
A high steer or cross over kit , to correct the bump steer you will now be dealing with.
And a shock relocation kit.
All of this has been covered many times in previous articles on this site.....Study study study .
There are no really good short cuts to lifting a Zuke (or any other rig ) correctly.
Cause and effect comes in to play here. One thing leads to another. And it all costs money.....
I will tell you the same thing I tell all my shop rats...Save your money. Study what others have done and learn....
Decide exactly what you want your rig to be , do a bunch of research, set a budget , then once ALL THE PARTS ARE SITTING ON YOUR DECK, Start the build.
I call it mapping a build.
In the long run , you will save money , and end up with a well built ride.
The alternative (trying to piece it together) will cost you more money . And possibly destroy your Zuke.....
Good luck....Boxcar...
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X2. Also with the Calmini shackle reverse, they use a special bell shackle on the rear of the front springs and boomerang shackles(longer than stock) on the rear. So the longer shackles you have now would be unusable on the front and redundant on the rear. Like Boxcar says , do some research now and save $ and time.
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X3...Totally agree wit Boxcar.....research ALOT....then decide and build....for my two scents worth, Isuzu Rodeo rear leaves are very close to the same width as the stock Samural leaves....if u decide to try the add a leaf.
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OME springs= done
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On my SJ I used an extra #2 leaf in the springs, but that was mainly to keep them flat with the SPOA. Otherwise they tended to sag a bit. When the drivers side started to get a bit of reverse arch I used a harbor freight tube bender and a hammer to re-arch the springs. Not as nice as a professional re-arching job but it worked. She was a trail rig anyway. :D
Bigzook has the right idea though. Sometimes it's best to just bite the bullet.