SPOA flex

[evolve123]

hi
I've just bought this sj which has a spoa lift but has bad articulation can anything be done to improve this, whats stopping it flexing?? the front shocks have been removed so its just on leaf springs.
many thanks

[SlimGrim]

Not sure why she's so stiff, seems to be getting passed around abit this old gal, http://forum.suzukiclubuk.co.uk/vi ... ll#p119953

[kiwizook]

They look like some beefy springs, look a lot thicker than stock springs, so could be that the spring rate is a lot higher. You also need to put some shocks back in the front, as its very dangerous on the road without them on

[twiss]

Yeah I agree looks like heavy duty springs on there which won't help with flex. Also the extended shackles look a bit too long, as they are sitting straight up.
Really they should be at almost 45* angle. Shouldn't effect the flex too much, but will give a bumpy ride!

[ScottieJ]

tbh only thing that's going to solve it is a complete overhaul of the suspension.

The springs are really thick and will need either replacing or leaves removing, the rear shocks could do with being more upright as well.

I would sort some shocks out for the front as well, I would never run and SJ with no shocks, they are a vital part of the suspension.

Personally I would try to lower it a bit, it's running far too much lift for the tyre size and it's going to be unstable. Swapping the shackles back to stock ones would be the place to start.

Also the extended shackles look a bit too long, as they are sitting straight up.
Really they should be at almost 45* angle. Shouldn't effect the flex too much, but will give a bumpy ride!

The optimum shackle angle depends on a number of factors, 45* doesn't work for all springs, with some springs it's too much and can cause shackle inversion and with with some springs you can get away with more angle. Also shackle angle does play a role in the amount of flex you get. If you have a good shackle angle at ride height you will get more droop travel.

[andyrew]

Blimey,

Those springs are ridiculous. Revert back to stock and start again.

4 leaves one side and 6 on the other. Those spring will have no movement at all.

[evolve123]

thanks for all the help everyone!! i looks like it needs a complete re think with the suspension seems a shame because someone has put a lot of time into this truck with the diesel engine conversion and the paint jobs been done well, seems as though the suspensions just been done wrong, someones suggested using parabolic springs but I've heard they're not very strong, if i go back to stock springs can i keep it spring over axle rather than replacing the axles.

many thanks

[andyrew]

From the photos the u bolts look )like they are made from studding?

The old spring under perches are still there so reverting to spua shouldnt be an issue. Id Start with getting the springs all the same even if they are knackerd, return the shackles to near stock length. And see how it works.

Im guessing up front that clearance with the sump may be an issue if going back to spring under.

[evolve123]

thanks andy
I'm pretty new to this so learning. my other sj has spring under axle and rears up front which works really well. could i keep the spoa and also have bedford rascal rears upfront would it be a good combo? or just go back to stock springs and shackels? i have a set of 2"inch shackles not sure if they would be ok?
thanks adam

[d_r_1989]

Iv seen this sj before. It was a friend of a friend and didnt articulate then either. It used to run with mcpherson struts up front in an attempt to replicate a coiled sj......
Mine is spoa and flexes really well. Id stay well clear of lift shackles, remove the z bar in favour of a merc steering arm conversion (no more bump steer). Id take the current springs off and throw them in the scrap bin. Get some standard ones and an anti wrap bar. My td engine destroys spring perches.