skidoo_j Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Yesterday I used my comanche to haul a pretty sizeable load. And I fear I may have inverted my leaf springs, However they may be like this normally or could have been damaged prior and I just never noticed. I've tried to find photos on the net for comparison but most seem to not show a good angle. So in my photo i placed a level for a straight edge on the top of the main spring. The bed is unloaded and I'm SOA, as you can see it appears the main leaf actually bends down at the end of the 2nd leaf (assuming main is #1) it even appears this at the front mount too. I'm using XJ shackles to minimize the SOA lift. The reason I question it is because the bends seem pretty uniform (meaning both sets of leafs and at both ends), but it doesnt make sense that they would turn down unless damaged. Options for replacement: I do not want to add any more lift in the rear. I'd love to have more hauling capacity (swapped in D44 2 years ago). I've been looking at the Hellcreek MT and Motion Offroad MT spring sets. I know they give about 1" lift due to spring ratios, but then because I'm SOA there will also be added lift due to the increase in thickness, and added leaf. Other Options? Does anyone have the measurements of the total pack of the 3+2 metric ton so I know the material lift difference. There are no u-pull wrecking yards around me, so building up a spring pack is out. I've also called the good old boy parts stores and they didn't know of any spring places that could reshape them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 perfectly normal. :thumbsup: and I've seen much worse. you shoulda seen the tired leafs on my 88 before I did the buildup. :ack: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidoo_j Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share Posted February 22, 2012 Thanks for the fast response. You'd replied prior to me finishing correcting my gramer and adding a question regarding replacement packs, but those are moot if my springs are in "typical" condition and safe to drive. The wife will let me get new springs if it's unsafe, I'd love new MT springs, but $500 for springs by the time they're shipped is a lot. Although new MT springs mean more potential headache with added lift etc. I managed to get my SOA to about a 4 inch lift, and adding the mt may create a 2" increase in rake and I'm not a fan of that much more rake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMCJeepMJ Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 The wife will let me get new springs if it's unsafe, I'd love new MT springs... They're, ahem, unsafe. Wink wink. Enjoy your new springs since you have permission from the bosslady. :brows: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue88Comanche Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 don't forget about the Comanche Club Discount at Hellcreek. I think it knocks off 10% I love my MT springs from Hellcreek as a comparison the top pack is my old standard 4x4 pack the bottom it the MT HC pack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 I would think that more important than a little sag would be cracks. Clean the leaves up and look for hair line cracks running across the leaf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidoo_j Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share Posted February 22, 2012 I would think that more important than a little sag would be cracks. Clean the leaves up and look for hair line cracks running across the leaf. I could not find any cracks, however I do think the springs are toast after my haul. Was under it today trying to find the cracks and decided to measure from top of tube to inside frame from bump stop. and am only measuring 11.75" at best. I thought this seemed really odd, so I looked it up and on the Info pages 9.2" is stock. I'm running SOA and should have 4.5" lift in the rear from axle tube and leaf pack relocation then xj shackles to reduce some. so the springs are flattened by almost 2". This is what happens when you don't account for moisture content in sand. Yes it was stupid, but I hauled a yard of sand/decomposed granite in my truck about 2 miles. On their board it showed about 1500 lbs... so i figured ah it's close and i'm close but i'm pretty sure it was closer to 2200 lbs. It did drive surprisingly well thought with the weight. Motion Off Road MT springs vs. HellCreek MT?? As far as springs they are both to factory spec, however HellCreek uses smaller bushings than OEM and Motion is a bit cheaper..... PROs Cons of either? HellCreek has awesome customer service. And I'm leaning heavily towards them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidoo_j Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share Posted February 22, 2012 viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18111&start=15 980 lb. capacity = 7.62" free arch, OEM part #89-52-002-312, 3+1 configuration 1100 lb. capacity = 8.75" free arch, OEM part #89-52-001-240, 3+1 configuration 1160 lb. capacity = 9.25" free arch, OEM part #89-52-002-351, 3+1 configuration 1220 lb. capacity = 9.75" free arch, OEM part #89-52-001-824, 3=1 configuration 1280 lb. capacity = 10.25" free arch, OEM part #89-52-002-350, 3+1 configuration 1440 lb. capacity = 9.12" free arch, OEM part #89-52-001-825, 4+1 configuration 1700 lb. capacity = 9.50" free arch, OEM part #89-52-003-676, 3+2 configuration Are the metric ton spring Packs that are new rated at 2200lbs? Isn't that a metric ton? Or is it a metric ton minus 1/4 us ton :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyleag89 Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 1500lbs for 2 miles and your worried!? I haul up to 2300lbs in my truck 3 times a week over 50 miles with no issues! I am NOT kidding when I say the lightest load I have ever carried in the bed was 1500.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidoo_j Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 1500lbs for 2 miles and your worried!? I haul up to 2300lbs in my truck 3 times a week over 50 miles with no issues! I am NOT kidding when I say the lightest load I have ever carried in the bed was 1500.. are you running metric ton springs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 once it reaches the bumpstops, it matters less how much more you add. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidoo_j Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 Welllll I never extended my bump stops after i went soa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 might want to look into doing that. :thumbsup: just so you know, the bolts holding the bumpstops up like to snap. an alternative is to weld a bracket to the axle. after mine snapped off, I moved the whole bumpstop down to the axle. :yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidoo_j Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 Pete, This may sound like a dumb question, but how did you determine the height of the bump stop. what i was thinking... when sua the bump hit the axle tube, now that i'm SOa I need to add about 2.75 inches above the spring pack for the bump stop to engage on??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 generally speaking, the bumpstop should stop the tire from touching the fender. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidoo_j Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 generally speaking, the bumpstop should stop the tire from touching the fender. :thumbsup: running 31's with soa i think the springs would get damaged before tires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyleag89 Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Regular 4wd springs and the bump stop is still a good 3 inches from touching the axle tube.. I don't see how you guys have any problems hauling weight as I have owned two MJs and both hauled 1800lbs with no issues. :dunno: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comanche County Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I agree with all before, check carefully for cracks though especially on top of the main leaf under the u-bracket bolt. That bolt will actually wear down the top of the main leaf creating a weak spot. Happens over years of heavy use though, not on one load. If you get new springs and heavy hauling is in your future I'd look for military wraps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btm24 Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 once it reaches the bumpstops, it matters less how much more you add. :D That's what I always went by :dunno: :D Brandon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidoo_j Posted February 25, 2012 Author Share Posted February 25, 2012 We've got a set of air bags sitting on the shelf from the ford. Debating on making a quick removable setup with it so i could through on the airbags for hauling if need and swap out with typical bump stop in everyday driving. the only down side to the air bag is i'm still using the portion valve in the rear and if i held the truck higher with the airbags the rear brakes wouldn't increase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 once it reaches the bumpstops, it matters less how much more you add. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidoo_j Posted February 25, 2012 Author Share Posted February 25, 2012 once it reaches the bumpstops, it matters less how much more you add. :D Is that a half yard of 3/4 minus? I've been researching some numbers vs weights of materials.... 1 cuyd 3/4 minus 2800lbs 1 cuyd sand 2600lbs (Low Moisture/Dry) 1 cuyd decom granite 2700lbs (Low Moisture/Dry) So by my own admission I hauled 1/2 a yard of sand and 1/2 a yard of decom granite at the same time w/o bump stops and SOA. The bed did not rub on the tires. I ended up hauling 2650lbs minimum, let alone the sand and granite were damp. I plan to replace my springs as I'm uncomfortable with them after examining two comanches at my local home Depot that were pretty loaded. Their springs did not have a downward turn in the last 4" of spring. My concern is there is now a weak point in the main spring and it will snap when i'm taking my dirt bike up the hill. I really want hellcreek MT springs. And have every intention of buying them, however UPS seems to think they need lots of money to ship them and it just makes it over an acceptable investment into the truck. So now the debates begin... Get rid of it, get used springs from junk yard, or bite the bullet and get hellcreeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyleag89 Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I just really can't understand how I can get so much weight in my MJs!? I have a scrap metal receipt showing 2560lbs in my MJ last week and the bump stops were still not even close to touching the axle. I scrap metal 3 to 4 times a week and have never turned anything in unless it was 1500lbs or more. My MJ is known around this area for being "One of the toughest little trucks". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Post a picture of your springs. it's also possible your shocks are too long, causing the shocks to be bottomed out before you reach the bump stops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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