Removing a leaf(FJ40)

[Mark]

Has anyone used " the remove a leaf "concept for better articulation/ride? I want to give it a go,but am unsure how well it would work,and which leaf/leaves to remove.

[Reddo]

hey mark, i have done it to my 40.

I removed leaves from the front and rear, 2 from front and 3 from the back. it's not that hard to do, but time consuming.

How many leaves are in all the packs ie, 7 in the rear etc? and i will tell you which one's i removed ;)

[Mark]

G'day Reddo,
Thanks for getting back to me on this.
Its an '83 model,with 7 leaves up front and 6 at the back.

Mark

[Reddo]

okay, counting from the bottom of the leaf packs, and without removing any of the leafs, so

in the rear i have 5 leaves - i removed the 1st and the 4th leaves

in the front, i have 5 as well, but i removed all 3 buddy leaves.

i can easily get this much drop -
http://www.joelwebb.net/images/other/4wdpics/images/DSC01106.jpg

and this much travel http://www.joelwebb.net/images/other/4wdpics/images/DSC01103.jpg

theres still about 2 inches of travel to go, but i have had my wack-off now it's time for you to post some pics of your beast ;D

[2 BRUTAL]

i pulled a few leaves out of my shorty MQ. when i got it, it had an OME kit in it which was so stiff it nearly lifted a wheel going over a speed bump. it was shocking. its a bit fiddly but i took the 2 shortest ones out of each side at the back and 1 out of the front packs and it now walks great. even with a pretty sacked out suspension.

[Mark]

Great.Thanks.I am trying to figure out which leaves to remove,and I reckon the MQ is pretty close. But I'll see if I get any more replies over the next few days.Just in case.Thanks again.
Mark

[2 BRUTAL]

it made a huge difference to the way it flexed. it will go full tilt now bump stop to bump stop. i've got some good photos on my camera but i haven't finished the film yet but i will post some when i get it developed. my leaves are a bit sad at present but it still flexes alright. going to give them a O/haul soon. to make it even better.

[Fisho]

Hope the flex works out well for you.
I would be careful about taking out too many leaves cause you might get axlewrap and snap your pinion off like a mate of mine did following leaf removal :'( $$$$$$
more power, bigger diameter tyres and softer leaves all contributes, so if you notice some bouncing under power up hill etc. i would think about putting a leaf or 2 back in or fitting a track bar.
Cheers

[barsark]

I would suggest taking bottom leaves off allround as it is quite easy to do without completely removing springs...just use a couple of G clamps to hold leaf packs together when undoing centre bolts on springs otherwise you might get a nasty suprise :o

[Mark]

That is what I was looking for.Which leaves to start with. Also the word EASY featured prominently in the reply!! I'll give that a go.When I get the time.
Thanks.

[yota]

hey mark......youve probably done this but if you havent open your spring retainers aswell and youll get heaps more articulation...especially if your taking leafs out.its worked great on my cruiser.

[Mark]

Yep.Yota, I tried that,but I decided to bite the bullet and get new springs (for the front).They should arrive tomorrow,so I'll see how they work.Lets face it,They cant be harsher!?!??

[yota]

Might work alright mate,I did the same thing...went out and bought new springs and the ride was the same.Once the fourties are loaded up theyre great but once empty we all know the story.They were great for their initial role as workhorses carrying heavy loads all round the country but for you and i wanting a softer ride and better articulation the standard springs just dont seem to cut it.Not long after I bought my new springs I ended up taking the leafs out.I also went to the local nursery and bought some sand bags and laid them flat underneath my false floor evenly over the diff...apart from using a bit more fuel the ride was great!!....and when 4wdn because you have a heavy weight down low evenly over the diff it seemed to articulate even better...i picked this up from when i used to load her up for big touring trips, she rode great and articulated well but for the quick trips with the mates empty for the day it was back to the bone shaking ride with hardly any articulation.I also use the ranchoes on the softest setting which works great too.Anyway Mark goodluck,in the end youll certainly know fourties suspension.Ill try and put a picture in of my set up soon for ya to ave a look at.