Series 1 Rear Leaf Spring replacement

[Series11955project]

Starting to get some work done on my 1955 86" Series 1 and I'm looking for rear leaf springs. Found a place in the UK that offers both "standard" and "heavy duty". I was just curious if anyone has any experience with these; do the heavy duty springs cause the back end to ride a little higher? Or is just a stiffer ride? Any recommendations for springs? Advice is appreciated!! Thank you!!!!

[ANDYD]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Where are you located?

A good local place to start would be Jeremy at Rocky Mountain, He knows a lot about Series springs and has them in stock;

Rocky Mountain Products
West Vancouver, BC Canada, V7V 3N9
Telephone: (604) 913-7910
Email: [email protected]

There maybe someone with some good used second hand springs, you could try posting in the "parts wanted" section.

Good luck and post a photo of your LR when you get a chance.
Cheers,
Andy

[Series11955project]

Thanks very much! I'll check them out... I'm located in Ontario. I'll get a few pictures posted in the next few days.

[bsa_m21]

If you want a good ride, get parabolics from Rocky Mountain. Your 86" are the same as Series 2 88". Amazing difference in the ride.

If you want original, go to virtually any truck spring shop, along with the dimensions available in the workshop manual and your old ones. They can make up a set for you.

I can send you a scan of the drawing with dimensions if needed.

M.

[Series11955project]

Thanks! Do the Rocky Mountain parabolics change the ride height? In their FAQ they mention that it raises the unladen ride height by a few inches, I didn't want mine to sit at an odd angle which is the only reason I was thinking stock springs. Did they change the ride height on your 88"?

I also inquired at a spring shop near me and was quoted $75 per leaf, multiplied by 11 leaves on each side added up to a pretty pricey set of springs. I'll shop around a little more and see what I can find. Thanks for your help!

[harv]

I agree with Martin. I have parabolics on my 2A and I really like the ride. They also improve articulation for off road. It did increase the height by about 1/12". I would avoid heavy duty springs as the ride will be terrible and they will not articulate well.

[bsa_m21]

To be honest, I've never seen a series truck that sat level. Actually, most Disco's don't either! :bounce:

The stock springs were designed for RH drive, with both the fuel tank and driver on the same (right) side, so a heavier spring on that side. Most of our LH drive vehicles always sat slightly high on the right side when new. Later on, most people that replaced the springs used the same ones on both sides and then the truck would sit slightly low on the right side. Having said all that, you are more likely to have the vehicle sit level with parabolics than stock springs, and have a much better ride, both on and off road.. And you won't notice the difference in ride height from stock, as your current springs will have sagged by now and the vehicle will be sitting low anyhow.

$75 per leaf is crazy. If you want to go stock (which I don't recommend) find out how much to re-arch and r&r your old springs and insert new bushings.

I have parabolics on the front of my 80" and stock style re-arched springs on the rear. They don't make narrow parabolics for the rear of the 80" or I would get some for there also. (On the 86 and 88 they went to the same width of spring leaf front and rear.) I believe the parabolics for S1-86 and all S2/S3 88" are all the same. And, I also agree, don't get the heavy duty ones. Way to stiff for the short wheelbase.

[rayhyland]

Give Jeremy at Rocky Mountain a call. He's very knowledgeable and not just trying to make a sale. He actually talked me out of buying a set of his springs two years ago, he said they were not right for how I wanted to use the truck.


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[Dave_F]

I went with Rocky's on my 56 Series 1.

They definitely sit higher in the rear, but I suspect with age and weight they will eventually settle down a bit, but will always be higher due to the design.

You can see it here...

http://roverlanders.bc.ca/photo-gallery/

2016/mamquan, Indian river album, Andy Deane pics

[just1rovernut]

Don't know if you've fixed this yet. A note not mentioned is that North American leaf stock is going to be thicker, so a copy will be taller and will not articulate as well as originals from UK.