Anyone Done this yet? Eliptical springs

[XJ4IV]

I have been researching for a while now and trying to get the best concept to get more flex from the rear of my XJ and though revolver shackles are great they are also pricey, What I have come to the conclusion is bang for the buck I should do this with a factory XJ main leaf and that should assist with rear flex
Check this pic outhttp://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/susp/3_4ellip/Dcp00536.jpg
I have only heard a Couple folks say that they will unload while going down a steep grade but my question to that is how much ARCH was on the frame leaf? I figure a factory main leaf will not unload very much unless you are at around 75 degrees and even that you ought not attempt without a good runway. whats your input??? and any pics would be great as well...

[XJ4IV]

Also found this page

http://www.jeepaholics.com/tech/quarterellip/

[alwaysxj]

I have been researching for a while now and trying to get the best concept to get more flex from the rear of my XJ and though revolver shackles are great they are also pricey, What I have come to the conclusion is bang for the buck I should do this with a factory XJ main leaf and that should assist with rear flex
Check this pic outhttp://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/susp/3_4ellip/Dcp00536.jpg
I have only heard a Couple folks say that they will unload while going down a steep grade but my question to that is how much ARCH was on the frame leaf? I figure a factory main leaf will not unload very much unless you are at around 75 degrees and even that you ought not attempt without a good runway. whats your input??? and any pics would be great as well...
i like the idea don't get me wrong, but how to you plan on doing this to a xj? in the pic above it shows a jeep with a real "frame" so that you can use a ubolt to hold the spring on. why question to you is how are you going to attach it to the unibody?

[XJ4IV]

WELLL I crawled under the jeep today to get ideas on just that and came to the conclusion that Id have to modify the frame rail and incorporate a piece of angle iron both sides, If you notice our leafs are not in line with the frame either which poses another issue BUT I think of I were able to drill and bolt excessively a piece of angle iron to the existing "frame" this would give a nice perch for the new leaf on top... I'll snap pics later to show
Here you can see they are not in a line
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/seivey/IMG_5560.jpg
THIS is where Im thinking of bolting the angle iron
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/seivey/IMG_5561.jpg
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/seivey/IMG_5563.jpg

[Xtreme XJ]

It's actually a buggy spring set up...

Go through this whole thread... I'd also search for "buggy spring" set ups.

http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1021908&highlight=latest+build

Curt

[4.3LXJ]

Also 3/4 elliptical

[Mudderoy]

WELLL I crawled under the jeep today to get ideas on just that and came to the conclusion that Id have to modify the frame rail and incorporate a piece of angle iron both sides, If you notice our leafs are not in line with the frame either which poses another issue BUT I think of I were able to drill and bolt excessively a piece of angle iron to the existing "frame" this would give a nice perch for the new leaf on top... I'll snap pics later to show
Here you can see they are not in a line
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/seivey/IMG_5560.jpg
THIS is where Im thinking of bolting the angle iron
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/seivey/IMG_5561.jpg
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/seivey/IMG_5563.jpg

Dude! You have the same arm as me! Freaky! I'm so white I'm pink! :rotfl2:

Wouldn't that coil conversion be a better way to go? Maybe not cheaper, but better?

[rguignard]

i put up a thread about doing something to get more flex out of them awhile ago and i didnt even think of this but i bet airbags are still the way to go. 4.3 how did you get yours to flex good or is it still in the works ?

[XJ4IV]

yeah the technical term is 3/4 elliptical but yes buggy spring is an AKA for them
Muddy the coil conversion is WAY too expensive and time consuming, I can do this setup in a few hours time and spend like under 100 bucks for everything and get just the same effect I want... and leave me alone about my chicken arms lol

[XJ4IV]

It's actually a buggy spring set up...

Go through this whole thread... I'd also search for "buggy spring" set ups.

http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1021908&highlight=latest+build

Curt

THAT is an awesome thread... looks like someone has done the research for me and NOW I just need to bolt it together ... thanks a million for that thread

[rguignard]

It's actually a buggy spring set up...

Go through this whole thread... I'd also search for "buggy spring" set ups.

http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1021908&highlight=latest+build

Curt

that is a great thread nice fab work :thumbsup:

[4.3LXJ]

i put up a thread about doing something to get more flex out of them awhile ago and i didnt even think of this but i bet airbags are still the way to go. 4.3 how did you get yours to flex good or is it still in the works ?

I used Isuzu Trooper leaves. They are a thinner leaf with more arch so the spring rate is lower but still has the lift. I am still perfecting it, but I think next week I will have it. They need one more leaf than the Isuzu has. I will use a short one from my S10 pack and that will have it I think.

[XJ4IV]

Hey 4.3 can you snap a few pics of your design... Im all ears for mounting ideas... I like the NAXJA guys setup and may go with that but Im open to other options

[4.3LXJ]

Let me finish testing next week. I think I have it down now.

[ironmanandy]

I did this to my first YJ years ago. It really improved flex and made the ride quality amazing..... keep in mind on an XJ you will get loads more axle wrap.... You will really want to run a traction bar. or say goodbye to your drive shaft.
also be careful going down steep hills. If they unload quickly you will be on your roof.

[4.3LXJ]

WELLL I crawled under the jeep today to get ideas on just that and came to the conclusion that Id have to modify the frame rail and incorporate a piece of angle iron both sides, If you notice our leafs are not in line with the frame either which poses another issue BUT I think of I were able to drill and bolt excessively a piece of angle iron to the existing "frame" this would give a nice perch for the new leaf on top... I'll snap pics later to show
Here you can see they are not in a line

If I was doing this, I would cut off the rear part of the exhaust pipe and think of something else for that. Then I would fab brackets for the unit frame and move the springs in under it. That will give you even more flex. However it might handle like a drunken sailor on the highway.

[Mudderoy]

If I was doing this, I would cut off the rear part of the exhaust pipe and think of something else for that. Then I would fab brackets for the unit frame and move the springs in under it. That will give you even more flex. However it might handle like a drunken sailor on the highway.

Thank GOD I can say in all honesty I have NO idea what it feels like to handle a drunken sailor. :smiley-laughing021:

[XJ4IV]

I've been handled by a drunken sailor but it was on a backroad in Antigua not the highway

[pingpong]

Not bashing or hating.. This kind of setup was popular yrs ago.. there are reasons why you dont see ppl running them anymore. I personally thing you can get the same kind of handling and flex out of a quality leaf spring. Also remeber that cheaper isnt always better.

[XJ4IV]

yeah I have decided not to go this route but to get the adjustable shackles.

[xj4life2]

I've been handled by a drunken sailor but it was on a backroad in Antigua not the highway

that statement is wrong in so many ways :confused:

[4x4Dalton]

Goin with adjustable shackles will work just as good.