 quick way to lower a nissan/datsun pickup | First < 1 2 Last |
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Frankie Pintado
Offline
8 posts
2001 Nissan Frontier (sold),1987 d21 2wd, 1972 VW Karmann Ghia
Washington VA
7-3-2009
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| « Here's what I'm thinking | 7:29 PM 11/7/2009 |
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So I'm still planning on trying this sometime in the near future, but I don't see it as very promising. I expect that it will ride like crap. Here's the problem. The red spring is a helper spring. It responds to the load on the truck bed. When the two longer leaves are too soft for the road and load conditions, the helper springs come into play, stiffening the ride the more the leaf spring assembly is straightened. I probably don;t need to explain to you guys that lower and softer simply will not work. Some of this could be compensated for with stiffer shocks, but still... this is a violation. So the two long springs will probably not be stiff enough. The truck will probably bounce and bottom out.
But what about this: How about just clamping the helper spring to the other springs right where it is? The lowering effect would be similar, and the original behavior of the spring would be preserved, only it would act like it was fully loaded. In other words, it would be stiffer and lower.
In fact, I don't see why it wouldn't be adjustable: just move the clamps closer together or further apart. I think this is much more promising.
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bracktheron720
Offline
31 posts
1984 720 with 1980 datsun front end,1972 yamaha cs3
kennewick wa
10-24-2009
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| « Re: Here's what I'm thinking (Frankie Pintado) | 10:02 PM 11/7/2009 |
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Iv got load leveling springs on my truck they are short thick extra leaf springs in front and behind the axle..like these
http://auto.sears.com/HELLWIG-...05981
im tryin to get the A$$ end lower...what do i do with these??lose them??wrench um down??any ideas....after talkin to a few people and following this iv decided im thinkin blocks for now and a rearch of the springs as the project gets a little further along
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PEZi720
Datsun Moderator
Offline
7148 posts
1985 720 pickup
colorado springs CO
12-11-2008
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| « FN-QR | 12:08 AM 11/8/2009 |
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frankie... your plan is basically a cheap way of doing a spring re-arch... the problem is that a real re-arch is proven and your way could possibly not end up working out... a re-arch at a spring shop is all labor so if its done at a place that's done them before it should be a relatively quick and cheap mod
| Quote, originally posted by krimsonviper » | Oh yeah? Well, I saw a Razi on the freeway sitting under a Pezi. I was jealous.  |
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Frankie Pintado
Offline
8 posts
2001 Nissan Frontier (sold),1987 d21 2wd, 1972 VW Karmann Ghia
Washington VA
7-3-2009
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| « Re: Here's what I'm thinking (Frankie Pintado) | 7:31 AM 11/8/2009 |
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oh I know. This is all very experimental. That's why I'm volunteering my truck as a guinea pig (been experimented on before). ...and it does deserve a disclaimer:
DO NOT DO THIS AT HOME. HIRE A PROFESSIONAL SPRING SHOP.Please note that I have never been to a spring shop, and will have to do a little homework on what 're-arching' is. I did just pass my ASE test on 'steering, suspension, and alignment' after taking a semester of it at the community college, for what it's worth. I'm only comparing my idea to the idea of re-locating the helper spring to the top of the assembly. Niether way is the proper way, that's not what I'm after here. I'm looking for the cheapest, safe, reasonably comfortable way for Harry Homeowner to drop this thing a couple inches. Maybe I'm grasping at shadows. Won't know for sure till I try it. Since it costs next to nothing, and I can find the time, why not?
Also, I know that you mentioned that you do not have much of a problem with axle wrap. I do have a slight problem in 1st and 2nd. Actually, since I put that weber 38 on there, it's a pretty bad problem. And I do need to load down my truck bed with tools sometimes. So I'm very hesitant to do anything that will soften the springs. Almost as hesitant as I am to sink money into this truck.
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Reverend D
Supporting Member
Offline
2570 posts
1995 Nissan D21 Hardbody KA24E
Western NY
1-12-2003
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I was just flipping through the August 1998 Minitruckin' and found this... http://www.activesuspension.com/They did a review of it installed on a lowered 95 Toyota Tacoma. They took it through its paces both on the road and on the drag strip. They claimed it eliminated axle wrap while maintaining a quality ride. Might be worth it to look into it...
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pejsa s-13
Offline
216 posts
91 HardBody
El cajon Ca
9-18-2008
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| « Re: (Reverend D) | 1:41 PM 11/8/2009 |
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hey sorry it took me so long to actually do it but i did a write up on it in a thread in the forum here check it out...IT WORKS LIKE A CHARM I LOVE IT 
 
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bracktheron720
Offline
31 posts
1984 720 with 1980 datsun front end,1972 yamaha cs3
kennewick wa
10-24-2009
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| « Re: (pejsa s-13) | 1:58 PM 11/8/2009 |
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| Quote, originally posted by pejsa s-13 » | | hey sorry it took me so long to actually do it but i did a write up on it in a thread in the forum here check it out... IT WORKS LIKE A CHARM I LOVE IT |
where do i check it out???? 
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PEZi720
Datsun Moderator
Offline
7148 posts
1985 720 pickup
colorado springs CO
12-11-2008
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| « Re: (Reverend D) | 3:12 PM 11/8/2009 |
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this looks awesome!!! but it doesn't change height on its own so after a re-arch this would be sweet!!!
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Frankie Pintado
Offline
8 posts
2001 Nissan Frontier (sold),1987 d21 2wd, 1972 VW Karmann Ghia
Washington VA
7-3-2009
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Here is something on clamping springs. I like this idea, maybe with some blocks.http://www.hotrodders.com/foru....html ...and Bam! http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MRG-1293/
Modified by Frankie Pintado at 7:32 PM 11/8/2009
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pejsa s-13
Offline
216 posts
91 HardBody
El cajon Ca
9-18-2008
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| « Re: (Frankie Pintado) | 8:11 PM 11/8/2009 |
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i tried clamping it doent work nearly as good.. not as much drop and its the cheap a$$ way
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Frankie Pintado
Offline
8 posts
2001 Nissan Frontier (sold),1987 d21 2wd, 1972 VW Karmann Ghia
Washington VA
7-3-2009
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| « Re: (pejsa s-13) | 4:00 PM 11/9/2009 |
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Cheap a$$ way you say? that's a start. I'm looking for maybe 1" out of the clamps, and the rest from 2" blocks. Yeah, maybe that's not the greatest way, but I want to try it for myself.What about axle wrap? did it help with that? See, I'm at stock ride height having a problem, add blocks (leverage) and I'll be bucking.
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PEZi720
Datsun Moderator
Offline
7148 posts
1985 720 pickup
colorado springs CO
12-11-2008
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| « FN-QR | 4:51 PM 11/9/2009 |
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i guess i just don't make enough power for axle wrap or somethin... only experienced it once
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pejsa s-13
Offline
216 posts
91 HardBody
El cajon Ca
9-18-2008
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| « Re: FN-QR (PEZi720) | 6:19 PM 11/9/2009 |
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i did notice improvement off the line (less wrap)
cornering improved as wellthis is just in my case though not saying everyone here will have the same results
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Reverend D
Supporting Member
Offline
2570 posts
1995 Nissan D21 Hardbody KA24E
Western NY
1-12-2003
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I seriously doubt these trucks put enough to the pavement to cause axle-wrap. Axle hop perhaps. The option for that is using traction bars. Now if you start getting into turbos and whatnot then I could see some problems down the line. My Datsun with its Z22 would chirp second all day long but never had enough to torsionally twist the spring pack. I would guess that under load axle wrap could happen but we have next to no weight in the rear, the tires would tear loose before the spring packs took any abuse. By removing leaves from the pack I could see axle wrap for sure.
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