Leaf springs over AND under?

Has anyone ever experimented with moving the overload leaf to the underside of the axle, while retaining the main spring pack placement in the stock over the axle position? I'm installing Gen 1 Tundra springs w/ 12" Gen 2 Raptor shocks, and it appears as though they will provide a pinch more lift than desired, 2"+, whereas 0 - 1" would be better. Moving the overload will give back an instant 3/4", and will a little work, more is to be gained... or should that be lost?

Proper support of the upper pack via the spring seat and and brackets that extend up from the over load are in the plans.... more axle wrap control and possible up travel are to be gained... but I feel like I'm missing some huge negative that should be obvious.

 

?????????

 

I'm looking at "Old Man Emu" leafs and Sumo Springs.

 

I'm not sure any of us understand what you are trying to accomplish here...are you saying you want to use the Gen1 Tundra leaf pack in spring over axle (SOA) configuration, but since it will lift too much you are thinking of removing the overload leaf and moving that underneath the axle in spring under (SUA) configuration? So essentially the majority of the Tundra leaf pack would be above the axle and a single overload would be below the axle?

Can you give some clarification OP?

 

Yes, you have that correct.

The 3 main leaves are roughly 29mm/1.14" thick, and the overload is a pinch under 19mm/.75".

 

In that case let me first say that by no means am I a suspension genius but I have absolutely no idea how or why that would ever work or why you would want to add extra complication and headaches into the mix.

Would suggest buying the correct leaf pack for your application and desired lift.

 

so the overload would essentially just turn into a spacer and not function as intended since it is no long part of the spring pack?

wouldn't just leaving it off do the same thing?

 

Lol! Yes, it is a bit of WTF. Sometimes one needs to throw shit at the wall and see what sticks.

Hear me out, wouldn't more axle control be gained by essentially splitting the spring to the top and bottom? Two points of leverage at equal distance from the point of rotation.

No, brackets or rubber snubbers would extend from the ends of the overload upwards to contact the main leaf pack.

 

Seems like that would require a whole lot of custom fab work just to try something experimental on a whim... also, I don't think it would work like you think it would.

Primarily because the overload spring wouldn't be long enough to go spring under... and also, leaf springs work together as a pack. Multiple thinner leaf's together to to still be "springy" but be able to hold weight. Putting a single spring by itself is going to bounce like crazy and/or just go flat. Trying to find some balance between SOA and SUA packs would be a headache... and then what would you be gaining? You wouldn't gain up or down travel, as the packs would work against each other; then you'd also be giving up ground clearance with the SUA pack (for no benefit in up travel).

Interesting idea to think though just for the hell of it, but don't really see a practical application; or favorable cost to benefit.

 

And I do kind of see where you're going with this... but honestly, the better solution at that point is trailing arms and coilsprings/coilovers.

 

Something along the lines of the spring pack on the bottom, but in reverse. The main pack above, the yellow overload below.



Links are a no brainer, but I'd like to play with the leaf springs.. maybe for the last time.

I can pull it off.

 

I would be most curious to know how you are mounting this to the axle and how it works with the u-bolts. Draw a picture and I think it becomes clear rather easily how this will not work. But also yeah I get what you are saying OP just think there is no practical benefit to this versus other solutions that have been done a thousand times before.

Edit: LOL disregard my comment, you posted simultaneously to my response with the answer.

 

The overload leafs aren't nearly long enough to work the way the diagram above it set up. You'd need a nearly full length leaf to make the span.

 

OK I see what you are getting at now, photo is quite helpful. SuperSprings in your image are made to be a helper spring, i.e. a Band-aid to an already poorly engineered leaf pack to make it work. By removing the Tundra overload you'd be changing how that leaf pack performs which might work for a Taco but that's a big experiment.

Also this.

All I can say is have fun playing with the leafs - it might just be crazy enough to work but mark me down as a skeptic.

 

Again, I'm spitballing here... maybe something good will come of it, might be a steaming pile.

Ok, the Supersprings pic is just the closest example I could find... throw the yellow spring out. Move the two main leaves above the axle, and keep the two stock over load leaves below. Brackets at the overload tips that extend up to eventually contact the the two main leaves as those compress, they could even be adjustable. Some additional support for the main pack coul be required further in towards the axle housing to ensure load is applied evenly as thing push upward. I'll draw or mock something up.

Skepticism is well warranted here.

 

Sounds like you’ll end up with 2 smaller sets of leaf springs, one top one bottom. I think you’ll run into binding as it flexes since they’re going to have to be arched differently by necessity.

 

I'd say call up Deaver and buy an appropriately rated spring pack for your truck man. Over or under doesn't matter, it'll be better than splitting the difference

 

Binding is a concern.

Too easy! If it's a steamin pile you can give me a big I told you so.

Deavers don't last in New England conditions.

 

Putting the overload under the axle is beyond stupid, it will accomplish absolutely zero.