how to purchase custom leaf springs???

[scorpio_vette]

there is a leaf spring shop near my house. i stopped by there recently to pick up some u-bolts, and asked him about building a set of lift springs. he said that he doesn't "design" custom leaf setups, but if i could get him the specs of what i wanted, then he could build them to spec.

so that got me thinking. i know you can go to almost any aftermarket company any buy leaf springs for different heights, but what if i wanted him to build me a custom set. how would i got about figureing what i need/want???

just curious, and figured i'd ask.

 

[whompinxj]

I am thinking about doing the same thing. the shop where im getting it done at has the stock spring specs on file, like eye to eye lengths, center hole placement etc. tell them how much lift you want, how flexy you want them, and how good of a ride you want. A good spring shop should be able to figure it out from there. If they dont have the specs on file, give them to him and tell him everything you want

 

[scorpio_vette]

I am thinking about doing the same thing. the shop where im getting it done at has the stock spring specs on file, like eye to eye lengths, center hole placement etc. tell them how much lift you want, how flexy you want them, and how good of a ride you want. A good spring shop should be able to figure it out from there. If they dont have the specs on file, give them to him and tell him everything you want

the shop here makes stock springs and has the specs for that. he said he can make custom springs but i would have to supply him with the specs. such as lenght,thickness, stiffness, etc..etc... and that's what i'm trying to figure out. how to i figure out those specs???

 

[87manche]

kind of underhanded, but try calling deaver, tell them what you want, then casually ask them about the spring specs.
taske said specs to local spring shop.

 

[Skullver]

if you order a set of custom leafs from national, they weigh your rig first, then you fill them in on the main usages of the vehicle, i.e. go fast, crawling, towing etc.

 

[cumorglas]

the shop here makes stock springs and has the specs for that. he said he can make custom springs but i would have to supply him with the specs. such as lenght,thickness, stiffness, etc..etc... and that's what i'm trying to figure out. how to i figure out those specs???

if he is asking you for those kind of specs you might want to try for another shop or another tech. the shop i have used locally here had no trouble figuring it out. we weighed each end of the vehicle. talked about sprng rate vs ride and flex and then he made a choice and built them.

my gut feel is that if he wants specifics like thickness of each individual leaf, he is either trying to dodge liability or doesn't now how to do what you need. either way go someplace else.

 

[scorpio_vette]

well right now, i'm trying to learn a little about the whole leaf spring spec deal from you guys as i've never gotten into the "technical" aspect of leafs, other than buying pre-build packs. this is also the only leaf shop around here that i know.

at first i thought it was a little weird that he didn't know what to to build me a lift pack, but he said he only produces stock springs and custom springs based on full specs. he said he doesn't deal with the actuall "modification" of vehicles, and also doesn't get alot of demand for "lift springs".

so i don't know if he was really being honest and didn't wanna sell me something that isn't what i wanted, or what.

that's why i started this thread, so i could learn the ins and outs of leaf spring tech, that way i know if i get some done.