Can I cut my springs...?

wards75 · 03-21-2015, 03:54 PM

So I bought a 6" A arm loft from Rocky Top GC's and its a nice piece of kit! Very "Beefy" very tight and stiff...while I know there's gonna be some ride quality lost from stock to 6"/lift and 23" tires, a little bit of flex would be nice..;)
The rear leafs that came with the kit are a (2) leaf pack and I'm pretty sure the shock isn't doing anything but sitting there...lol...it won't flex with me on it and I weigh 210#.
I was thinking of welding the spring pack together where they sit on the block and then cut the remaining leaf off...
I'm sure removing them and putting the stock pack back on would be easier and may be the better option, I don't know. I need some load carrying ability, as this will be used to haul gear, people, deer, corn and etc.
The front springs are 2 pack leafs as well...

What's yalls thoughts?

Pic attached of lift I bought...

Streetbu · 03-21-2015, 04:20 PM

Don't weld spring steel. You can, but don't. They will crack. I would suggest at least removing the 2nd leaf and try it like that.

wards75 · 03-21-2015, 04:21 PM

Righton...will try that then

pachanga90 · 03-21-2015, 05:05 PM

Just to clarify,You can lay a bead of weld onto spring-steel,but it will just crack and fall off.It Cannot be welded,at all.Its a special alloy.If you cut springs,use a chop-saw or cut-off wheel,Torches change the temper of the spring.You can remove a leaf,or even shorten it,The length of the leafs makes it stiffer,as well as the additional leaf itself stiffening the pack.Just make sure that if you cut the leaf,that you grind a slight bevel on the top-side edge of the leaf at the cut,so it doesn't squeak and also wear on the leaf above it.Hope this helps.

93yellowclubcar · 03-21-2015, 05:26 PM

Just reuse your stock rear springs!!! The ride is TERRIBLE still even with a leaf removed and they WILL sag, the second leaf is needed to keep them from sagging. Stockers provide a good ride and no sag compared to the HDs with a leaf out. Removing the short leaf from the front pack is OK though, and I recommend it strongly. Check my 93 build thread (link in sig) for details.

wards75 · 03-21-2015, 05:36 PM

Thanks guys....that's some good info on the sagging deal! Thanks for that info, it'll save me some headache down the road for sure!!
I'll put the stockers back in the rear and pull one from the front and be done with it..lol

slonomo · 03-22-2015, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wards75

I need some load carrying ability, as this will be used to haul gear, people, deer, corn and etc.

Option one: Stiffer springs = increase in load capacity = decrease in ride quality

vs.

Option two: Softer springs = increase in ride quality = decrease in load capacity

Unfortunately you can't have it all. I struggled with that also, I chose the first option. It's much safer when loaded. Safer is better.

Remember, those springs are new, and they will never be as stiff as they are now. Your stock springs used to be stiffer too. Over time the leaf springs settle, especially if they are loaded up often. If you lighten them up, and they are okay now.....they might lighten up more and not be suitable. Just sayin.

wards75 · 03-22-2015, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slonomo

Option one: Stiffer springs = increase in load capacity = decrease in ride quality

vs.

Option two: Softer springs = increase in ride quality = decrease in load capacity

Unfortunately you can't have it all. I struggled with that also, I chose the first option. It's much safer when loaded. Safer is better.

Remember, those springs are new, and they will never be as stiff as they are now. Your stock springs used to be stiffer too. Over time the leaf springs settle, especially if they are loaded up often. If you lighten them up, and they are okay now.....they might lighten up more and not be suitable. Just sayin.

Yeah, you know...I was wondering if they would loosen up a bit...I may just ride it for a while and see what happens...but on the flip side, I'm not sure I "Need" 250lb + capability. Doubt I'll be carrying that much but never know I guess...

slonomo · 03-22-2015, 08:45 PM

The bad thing is, once you cut those springs.....they are cut. No going back. I had the same deal on a TXT. It was stiff as hexx at first. Rode it around with 2 people in the back seats, went over some bumps, rode some more, loaded it with firewood, hauled a trailer. The next time I rode it on the trails it was much better. Not smooth by any means.....but no leaf sprung vehicle is right?

wards75 · 03-22-2015, 08:47 PM

True, maybe I'll just load her down a couple times and hit it hard..lol

03-21-2015, 04:20 PM	#2
Streetbu Gone Wild Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Central NY Posts: 1,020	Re: Can I cut my springs...? Don't weld spring steel. You can, but don't. They will crack. I would suggest at least removing the 2nd leaf and try it like that.

03-21-2015, 05:05 PM	#4
pachanga90 I Refuse To Get Stuck!!! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Hilton,NY Posts: 5,427	Re: Can I cut my springs...? Just to clarify,You can lay a bead of weld onto spring-steel,but it will just crack and fall off.It Cannot be welded,at all.Its a special alloy.If you cut springs,use a chop-saw or cut-off wheel,Torches change the temper of the spring.You can remove a leaf,or even shorten it,The length of the leafs makes it stiffer,as well as the additional leaf itself stiffening the pack.Just make sure that if you cut the leaf,that you grind a slight bevel on the top-side edge of the leaf at the cut,so it doesn't squeak and also wear on the leaf above it.Hope this helps.

03-21-2015, 05:26 PM	#5
93yellowclubcar ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: West Virginia Posts: 4,094	Re: Can I cut my springs...? Just reuse your stock rear springs!!! The ride is TERRIBLE still even with a leaf removed and they WILL sag, the second leaf is needed to keep them from sagging. Stockers provide a good ride and no sag compared to the HDs with a leaf out. Removing the short leaf from the front pack is OK though, and I recommend it strongly. Check my 93 build thread (link in sig) for details.

03-22-2015, 08:45 PM	#9
slonomo Searching for The Way Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Medina, Ohio (NEOHIO) Posts: 11,432	Re: Can I cut my springs...? The bad thing is, once you cut those springs.....they are cut. No going back. I had the same deal on a TXT. It was stiff as hexx at first. Rode it around with 2 people in the back seats, went over some bumps, rode some more, loaded it with firewood, hauled a trailer. The next time I rode it on the trails it was much better. Not smooth by any means.....but no leaf sprung vehicle is right?

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03-21-2015, 04:21 PM	#3
wards75 Getting Wild Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 141	Righton...will try that then

03-21-2015, 05:36 PM	#6
wards75 Getting Wild Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 141	Thanks guys....that's some good info on the sagging deal! Thanks for that info, it'll save me some headache down the road for sure!! I'll put the stockers back in the rear and pull one from the front and be done with it..lol

03-22-2015, 08:47 PM	#10
wards75 Getting Wild Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 141	True, maybe I'll just load her down a couple times and hit it hard..lol

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