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Difference between under axle and over axle leaf springs?

Discussion in '5 Lug' started by Scrider424, Dec 21, 2011.

  1. Dec 21, 2011 at 7:47 PM
    #1
    Scrider424

    Scrider424 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Anthony
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    Sorry if this seems newbish but I was wondering what are the main differences between our 5 lug under axle leafs and the prerunner over axle springs? Is it performance or just for a higher ride?
     
  2. Dec 21, 2011 at 7:56 PM
    #2
    Phuket

    Phuket Well-Known Member

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    lower ride height, honestly not sure.... although a lot of LT guys like the SUA
     
  3. Dec 21, 2011 at 9:01 PM
    #3
    afd23a

    afd23a Well-Known Member

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    The Dynamo of Dixie
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    under axle gives less axle wrap
     
  4. Dec 21, 2011 at 9:43 PM
    #4
    Kelson

    Kelson Well-Known Member

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    no. They all have different rates, and the design of the leaf pack themselves are different. 5 lug base and XR are similar, as well as the 6 lug packs, but they differ from each other.

    2nd Gen Trucks come with one of four leaf packs.

    1. 5 Lug 3 leaf pack (greatest arch)
    2. 5 Lug 3 leaf pack (XR Models, De-arched, less capacity, stiffer, less progressive)
    3.6 Lug 3 leaf pack (different design than the 5 lug packs, the 2nd leaf extends almost around the front leaf hanger, unhappy overload vs. happy for 5 lug springs)
    4. 6 Lug 4 leaf pack TSB& Canadian


    6 lug and 5 lug leaf packs do however use the same mounting points so in theory they are interchangeable. 6 lug leaf packs do have less of an arch, so if you use them in a SUA setup on your 5 lug, they will drop the truck. I have this setup.

    6 lug leafs are a bit more progressive than the 5 lug leafs, and are stiffer. Speaking from experience.

    6 lug leafs on the left, 5 lug leaf on the right. the side facing you in the front of the leaf relative to the truck. notice the difference in the 2nd leaf.
    Photo0063_df080c8483b89a38f9bcd50a006d8574e889fb2e.jpg
     
    cbar_tx and Skyway like this.
  5. Dec 22, 2011 at 8:34 AM
    #5
    Scrider424

    Scrider424 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Anthony
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    Thank you for all the replies. That makes a little more sense now. As far as the under axles having less axle wrap... What exactly does that mean? I've heard it said a million times but am unsure of what it actually is. Also if it causes less axle wrap why didn't the prerunner go with under axle?
     
  6. Dec 30, 2018 at 9:48 AM
    #6
    TacomaFitz

    TacomaFitz 2nd Gen 5 Lug

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    Shackle flip Add a leaf Spacer lift 3/4" bora wheel spacers 265 75 16 Mickey Thompson A/T LCE Header LCE Clutch Power Inverter Yellow Top Battery Air compressor install Hood struts Plasti dip Skid plate Bull Bar Waterport
    Anyone have any info on coverting over axle to under axle?
     
  7. Jan 2, 2019 at 5:50 AM
    #7
    5 Lug Fury

    5 Lug Fury Well-Known Member

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    Got a lot of stuff lol
    I've done it but why do you want to convert? Unless you want a elocker axle its a lot of work including some Fabing
     
  8. Jan 3, 2019 at 4:05 PM
    #8
    TacomaFitz

    TacomaFitz 2nd Gen 5 Lug

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    Shackle flip Add a leaf Spacer lift 3/4" bora wheel spacers 265 75 16 Mickey Thompson A/T LCE Header LCE Clutch Power Inverter Yellow Top Battery Air compressor install Hood struts Plasti dip Skid plate Bull Bar Waterport
    Thanks...mostly trying to see lift options and make the best choice. im guessing upper and lower control arms will be needed to level it out too
     
  9. Jan 3, 2019 at 4:21 PM
    #9
    5 Lug Fury

    5 Lug Fury Well-Known Member

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    Got a lot of stuff lol
    Nope. What people typically do is spacer in front and aal rear. You might be able to just do a smaller spacer up front
     
  10. Aug 22, 2019 at 10:54 AM
    #10
    bagleboy

    bagleboy Well-Known Member

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    Old post I know but are you still around and do you have any before/after pics of how much the 6-lug leaf lowers a 5-lug? Would a shackle flip or some other mod restore it to stock ride height? What other consequences are there? It's pretty obvious that at least two of the leaves in the far left leaf pack are bent out of shape but is the middle one still more or less at stock arch?
    I have air bags now but with my cap and the base tool load I carry I'm having to keep a minimum of 30lbs to prevent bottoming. Ideally, I'd prefer to have the leaves deal with the base load with the 5lb recommended minimum bag pressure and use them primarily for leveling heavier loads. I obtained a 6 leaf set with 1.5" aals(1each) because of the more progressive nature but would rather admit ignorance and pass them along than head in a wrong direction. The choices seem to be either ditch these and get 5-lug specific aals or use them accepting either slightly lower ride height or doing some other mod to remedy that. I'm have no interest in raising or lowering for its own sake but if it is a minor consequence of acheiving a goal it's something I can live with.
     

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