Mississippi-Mud Forums

Well as some of you know, i lowered my truck down to pretty much stock height and my rear springs are shot. I need some suggestions as what springs i can use to either make a leaf pack or maybe some aftermarket springs that would work. I have had a tough time finding some rear used packs to purchase. Its for a 97 4wd HB. I do tow a decent bit but there arent any shops around here to build me a pack so SOL on that one.

My packs are hybrids. I used the Nissan top leaf along with 5 leaves from a wagoneer front pack (per side). The waggy top leaf would have fit as well, but the Nissan leaf had new poly bushings in it, so I re-used them.

Jeep leaves are slightly wider (1/8"), so some fitting may be needed. I simply ground 1/16" off of the inside of the u-bolts on each side where the leaves would be. I left the threaded part alone because it could spread out enough to get past the leaves.

If you do a u-bolt flip, you can buy or make new plates that solve the clearance problem.
If you use the Jeep top leaf, you will have to deal with the width difference in the front mount and the shackle.

The good part is that the Jeep leaves are thinner, and you use more of them. You also eliminate the overload spring. Therefore, the pack is more complient. They also have more arch. This produces a magically improved ride with more articulation. The difference is night and day.

I did my swap in the dark in the Arizona desert, so I don't have a write-up with pics, but I have sritten about them on NOR and N4W. If you have any questions, or need clarification or a picture, don't hesitate to ask.

Toyota leaves may work as well.
Pick up two new spring center bolts when you get ready to build your packs.

I just had some new ubolts made so i hope i dont have to tear them up, heh. How does your setup hold up to weight out back? I tow a good bit but i dont want it so stiff that it doesnt flex at all. I think i would have a lot better chance at finding some Jeep leaves in the JY than Nissan. Does it matter of the top leaf is really worn out on my Nissan pack?

(20thApril2010 09:18 AM)SMITHTONU02 Wrote: [ -> ]Does it matter of the top leaf is really worn out on my Nissan pack?

No. Not unless it is bowing the opposite way. If it is flat or nearly flat, that it will be fine. The leaves that you add will force more arch into it. Besides, it will be arched as soon as you lift the weight off of it.

This would be a good time to order an Energy Suspension bushing kit. Especially if the back of yoru truck dances sideways on sharp-edged bumps like mine used to.

My truck rides a bit high in the rear because of the long shackles that I have back there. I have never seen it sag below level no matter how much I loaded in it. If you start slightly above level, and you will, it may sag slightly below level with a good load in it.
Keep in mind that the packs I am talking about were originally used to hold up the front of a wagoneer. Not a light vehicle by any stretch of the imagination.

Before:



After:

Yeah mine are a little on the negative arch side. It sits maybe 1in from the bump stops unladen. So basically in need to get five leaves from the front Waggy pack. Any year models in specific?

What about Deep South Spring in Jackson http://deepsouthspring.com/ .
I've never had any springs made from them just bought some u-bolts there, but they may can hook you up with something.

Thanks, i may give them a shout.