Rear Leaf Springs

[fman600]

Are the rear leaf springs the same for short and long beds?

[dasbulliwagen]

Yes. Only differences are between the standard load models and Metric ton models. Standard has 4 leaves, MT has 5, and they are interchangable.

[fman600]

Thanks for your help.

[Pete M]

and 2wd trucks sit about an inch lower than 4wd.  well, from the factory at least. after 20+ years of hauling it can be hard to tell.

[AMCJeepMJ]

My 2wd had leaf springs which sagged. I have moved to the 4wd springs when I finally got around to changing them and now have a rear lift which gives the truck a rake. I would like to find another set of new 2wd leaf springs to level it out without having to lift the front.

[Strokermjcomanche]

To my knowledge long bed leafs are longer and short beds are shorter . I have both outside I'm gonna get some measurements to be sure.

[fman600]

Thanks strokermjcomanche.

[Strokermjcomanche]

They but seem to be the same overall length following the contour of both springs considering there both still on the trucks . However It appearsthe center pin measurement is different by a half inch unless I can't accurately measure that on the vehicle . Hope this helps

[fman600]

thank you very much

[Pete M]

they are the same. :thumbsup:

[Strokermjcomanche]

Cool , nice to know incase I ever need to swap them out . Thanks

[48MJ]

I run long beds 2 and 4 wheel they all appear to use the same springs. But I have lately bought two short beds for parts, the springs are not even close. They are about 7" shorter on the short bed with different style eyes. Now these short beds are both 2 wheel drive (don't think it makes any difference). But if my long bed springs were on a short bed the rear shackles would be mounted on the bumper. The long beds are around 57" and the short beds are around 50"

[HOrnbrod]

The factory LWB / SWB and 2WD / 4WD rear leaf springs are identical and have the same p/n's. 57" eye-to-eye. I don't know what the problem was with your parts trucks.

 

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[Incommando]

None of the after market spring providers differentiate between the two bed lengths either. Looking like they are the same

[jimoshel]

When measuring the spring length are they, you measuring in a straight line from eye to eye? Or following the spring arc? That's 3-5 inch diff there.  They are the same length, short or long bed.

[HOrnbrod]

Straight line, as in the diagram above.

[johnnyc]

Maybe he wasn't taking into account that the centering pin is not in the center of the leaf pack lengthwise. The rear part of the spring is five inches longer than the front part.

 

I was just outside cleaning and painting a Metric Ton spring pack and pressing in new bushings. I have a question about the difference between a standard leaf pack and a Metric Ton leaf pack. Is the Metric Ton's overload spring the only difference? Don?

[HOrnbrod]

Maybe he wasn't taking into account that the centering pin is not in the center of the leaf pack lengthwise. The rear part of the spring is five inches longer than the front part.

 

I was just outside cleaning and painting a Metric Ton spring pack and pressing in new bushings. I have a question about the difference between a standard leaf pack and a Metric Ton leaf pack. Is the Metric Ton's overload spring the only difference? Don?

 

Basically Johnny. MT springs came in two flavors. The early ones were configured 4+1 (4 thin leafs + 1 thick overload leaf) and the later ones were 3 + 2 (3 thin leafs + 1 overload leaf). The non-MT springs were all configured 3 + 1, but came with varying spring rates depending on the part number. AFAIK, the payload was the same on the non-MT springs.

[johnnyc]

Thanks Don. The ones I have are the 4+1. I'm hoping these will not be too stiff for my shortbed. If they are, would removing just the overload leaf help?

[HOrnbrod]

I think you will be fine Johnny. The 4+1's are supposed to ride smoother than the 3+2's. I have the 3+2's and they ride great. I've never removed an overload leaf, so  :dunno: .

[Pete M]

the overload doesn't affect ride quality

[Incommando]

the overload doesn't affect ride quality

Yep. The overload doesn't came into play until...wait for it....the other springs are overloaded... :D

[92tanMJ]

 

the overload doesn't affect ride quality

Yep. The overload doesn't came into play until...wait for it....the other springs are overloaded... :D

 

 

Exactly, the overload is supposed to stop overloading of the springs, which will make them invert....something like this; this was the best picture I could find lol

[Jeep Driver]

Maybe he wasn't taking into account that the centering pin is not in the center of the leaf pack lengthwise. The rear part of the spring is five inches longer than the front part.

 

I was just outside cleaning and painting a Metric Ton spring pack and pressing in new bushings. I have a question about the difference between a standard leaf pack and a Metric Ton leaf pack. Is the Metric Ton's overload spring the only difference? Don?

Where did you find the bushings?

[fman600]

Some great info I'm getting here. Thanks to all who have replied. Just wondering if anyone has ever used the Crown replacement springs I have been seeing on the internet? Or does anyone recommend a place to buy stock springs?