dumb question but i need to ask

[BigBoy truck]

can someone explain leaf springs to me how dose an add a leaf creat lift? why dose flipping the shackel creat lift and add to flex? what is better more arch or flat leaf springs? and with that shack flip kit can u use stock springs and get a 2 inch add a leaf to get 6 inch worth of lift?

 

[weisel]

Wish I could answer all those questions, but I only know about the shackle flip creating lift. Doing the shackle flip changes the rear mounting position of the rear springs. It moves the spring mount 8 inches down on the truck's frame. This puts the axle 4 inches farther away from the truck (because the axle is in the middle of the spring, and only gets moved 1/2 as much as the spring mount is moved. This constitutes a 4 inch lift in the back.

 

[BigBoy truck]

anyone know the answers to the other questions?

 

[BorregoK5]

The add a leaf gives lift by tension. With the spring unloaded (no weight on it) it will positive arch. An add a leaf re-enforces that arch so that it wont compress as much with weight on it effectively giving you a lift, at the expense of a soft spring.

 

[mudhog]

a add a leaf gives lift because you are adding it to what you already have the shackle flip gives you more flex because you keep the softer springs say you run 6in springs in back they are going to be stiff and not flex as much ok now you have a 4in shackle flip and 2in springs you are going to get more flex because the 2in springs are not as stiff as the 6in springs as far as the arch goes the more they arch the bigger the lift and less flex and yes you can do a shackle flip and a 2in add a leaf to get 6in lift

 

[jekbrown]

with respect to flat vs arched springs... flat is generally better with respect to their ability to flex. Those SUPER arched 12" lift springs ya see on show trucks in mags can barely flex at all by compairson, they are super stiff.

J

 

[55Willy]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

How does an AAL add lift?

<hr></blockquote>
It depends on what style, it is if a run of the mill AAL then it bolts into the spring pack and adds a slight lift do to the thickness of the spring, it also puts a arch in the spring which raises the spring rate of the pack, so it will ride rough, you gain the lift becuase it arches the springs more. The other style is what ORD sells and it is called a "Zero rate" AAL because it doesn't change your spring rates, it is basicly a 1" solid block that is bolted into the spring pack to gain 1" of lift.
<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

Why does flipping the shackle creat lift and adds flex

<hr></blockquote>
Flipping the shackle creats lift because it lowers the rear mounting point of the spring, instead of being 4" above the shackle mount the spring is "flipped" to be 4" below the mount. And it adds to flex becuase you keep a flatter spring which will flex better then a huge arched springs.
<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

With the shackle flip can you use stock springs and get a 2" AAL to get 6" of lift

<hr></blockquote> Yes you can.
Hope this helps.