Pat Lukovic (Shepparton, VIC)

Hi Allan, I used to use my ’95 dual cab HiLux for carrying my tools between jobs, but since changing careers I no longer need to carry so much gear in the back. With less weight over the rear axle, I’ve noticed that when I drive off-road the rear end has next to no flex and I’m lifting wheels over anything bigger than a pebble.

I’ve heard that if I remove the shortest two leaves from either pack, I’ll free up a lot more travel, but I’m a bit worried that by doing so, I’ll be opening myself up to axle-wrap.

What do you reckon? Should I be looking at reducing my leaf pack or should I buy complete new spring packs that are better designed for flexing?

Allan

Pat, I haven’t seen the vehicle but it’s possible you’ve got what we call “two-stage suspension” which is three of four light leaves which act as your normal suspension when you’re driving unladen and then you have some heavier leaves for when you load it up, so pulling out the bottom leaves wouldn’t help your flexing ability at all as they’re the heavy ones that actually take up the load.

Taking leaves out is probably not a bad idea though. We used to do that when travelers wanted to drive their utes around in the bush and needed a bit more ride comfort. There is a way of doing it and I think that if you go to a spring works in Shepparton and tell them what you explained to me, they’ll either do it for you or tell you what to do. But I wouldn’t buy new springs just for that, I’m sure you can fix the ones you’ve got.

Try that Pat and let us know how you get on.