Watt's and leaf

[dieselarmy13]

Anybody here ever see a leaf spring setup with a watt's link? For the time being, until I can afford a KP cantilever setup, I'm going to be running an air over leaf setup on my 72 GMC and was thinking about throwing in a watt's in for fun. Am I crazy?

[bedsled71]

a watts woulndt do anything with a leaf but be a waste.. its not needed since the leafs are what holds the rear end in place..

[bedsled71]

so to answer.. yeah maybe you are crazy

[bedsled71]

or maybe your talking about cutting the leaf springs right behind the axle and using the front part as trailing arms???

[dieselarmy13]

I was thinking mostly in the looks department, cause you have to admit, they look pretty trick. That, and I don't plan on staying with leafs forever, just doing the whole one peice at a time thing, you know? I've also heard that you can get quite a bit of side to side movement with a leaf setup.

[bedsled71]

with leafs your axle wont get any side movement, if your talking about laterial movement.. but it will get side to side movement if you are talking about "side to side" with bags which means one wheel up, one wheel down

[Shane]

you're want to add a Watt's link simply for looks?

[dieselarmy13]

you're want to add a Watt's link simply for looks

Fer now! I'm eventually going with a four or six link, and I know, I should buy that first, but I'm just trowning ideas around. Something to make all the minitruckers scratch their heads, maybe even wear there hats right.

[hotrodhomi]

Originally Posted by dieselarmy13

Fer now! I'm eventually going with a four or six link, and I know, I should buy that first, but I'm just trowning ideas around. Something to make all the minitruckers scratch their heads, maybe even wear there hats right.

I'm not sure it will get the reaction your are looking for.

[bedsled71]

you will have people thinking you dont have ANY clue what your doing..
and your watts link would have to be set up at the right height and travel that your link setup would be..

[dieselarmy13]

I guess I'll just let this one go. Probably save me a lot of money, anyway.

[bedsled71]

it would be great but not while you have the leafs in it

[hotrodhomi]

Originally Posted by bedsled71

it would be great but not while you have the leafs in it

agreed.

[dieselarmy13]

Thats why I love this site, it often saves me from my bright ideas.

[PBFAB.COM]

If you have removed some leaves, it may not be a bad idea to use something to help eliminate lateral shift. The leaves will keep the rear-end in place, but you'd be surprised how much lateral shift you can get... especially after removing multiple leaves.

[dieselarmy13]

If you have removed some leaves, it may not be a bad idea to use something to help eliminate lateral shift. The leaves will keep the rear-end in place, but you'd be surprised how much lateral shift you can get... especially after removing multiple leaves.

Thank you! The master has spoken! I know I've lost quite a few brain cells over the years, but I know I have heard and/or read about this somewhere. I'm sitting on two leaves right now, and it is definetly sloppy.

[bedsled71]

well then can you explain where this movement is coming from.. the leaves are still bolted front and back with the axle bolted to the middle.. i guess i can understand that the leaves will bend and twist but how much could it really move to one side or the other? inches?

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by bedsled71

well then can you explain where this movement is coming from.. the leaves are still bolted front and back with the axle bolted to the middle.. i guess i can understand that the leaves will bend and twist but how much could it really move to one side or the other? inches?

If multiple leves are removed from the pack the rigidity and strength will be compromised. The spring will allow lateral movement, just like it will wrap. The lateral movement won't be as severe as the wrap, but could be an inch or more. Most people wouldn't worry about it.