Anyone have drag racing springs on a street driven truck?

[Old Yeller 1970]

Years ago I put a set of 2" dropped springs from Eibach on Old Yeller. I have never been satisfied with the ride quality, though they were advertised as riding like the stock springs, they are hard as a rock. Because they are so stiff I get 0 lift on the front end when I drag race the truck. Obviously, one way to address the issue is with a set of drag racing springs. But this is still mostly going to be a street driven truck and I'm concerned about going to far the other way and loosing streetablility. Corner turning isn't a big issue because I live in West Texas where 99.99% of all roads are straight and flat. I've even thought about putting the original springs back on with a set of 2" dropped spindles but that's a lot more money than a set of springs and I still wouldn't get any lift to speak of. I don't mind giving up some cornering ability. Some of that can be controlled with regular shock absorbers and the anti-sway bar. I know I'm looking for compromises but life is full of them.

[Super73]

I had a set of Moroso springs in my truck.. But good luck getting info from them these days.. I found a helpfull guy a few years ago, but now all they tell you is, we don't have something for your application. I went as far to tell them my sprung weight, unsprung weight, leverage ratio and what i wanted as a compressed height. I was running a 47140, but, it is dependant on your front end weight (mmine was 2260).. I am now running a front 6 cyl Jeep Cherokee spring (new front weight 1,880).. They are 17 3/4" long and guessing by the compressed height of the spring and my unsprung weight, they are right about a 185-190lb rate.

I would like to put a stock spindle back in mine as the 2.5" drop ones put the LCA way too close to the ground with this spring. But lets just say, they are squished!!!

I have a very detailed spreadsheet in the suspension 101 thread with some of Moroso's spring info you might find useful.

[Old Yeller 1970]

Thanks Super73, I've been reading your Suspension 101 but didn't want to post my question there and muddy up that thread. Based on the available Moroso springs, I think a 47170 would be the way to go since it's weight rating (2100 lbs) is the closest to my front end weight (2270 lbs). It also has the highest spring rate (270 lbs/in). I'd have to cut a coil to get it to drop to the correct ride height.

My main concern is how do our trucks drive on the street with these things installed? What's your experience like?

[Super73]

Truck rode a million times better than it did with the 600lb rate lowering spring in it.. As long as you weren't trying to be a corner carving fool, the ride quality is nice!!

[Old Yeller 1970]

Excellent! I know just what I'm going to do. It may be awhile but I'll post back with my results.

[djracer]

Put them in and ride them around some before you cut them. They will likely settle some. Fair warning they are not fun to install. I will likely put a set in my son's truck.

[Old Yeller 1970]

Thanks for the don't cut until they settle tip. I've read in other threads around the web that drag springs do settle over time. Do you have any feel for how much? 1/2" or 1" or more than that?
Regarding the not fun to install. Reckon this would this be a good time to borrow a spring compressor from Autozone's loan a tool.

[djracer]

Originally Posted by Old Yeller 1970

Reckon this would this be a good time to borrow a spring compressor from Autozone's loan a tool.

Yes Sir it would.


I can't really say how much they will settle.

[Super73]

Word of advice when installing them.. Undo the spindle from both upper and lower controls arms. There is a hole under the upper control arm you are going to want to drill out to the size of the spring compressor screw. Completely remove the upper and drill your hole. Put the UCA back on and connect the spindle to it. Slide the compressor screw through that hole you just drilled as it will fit between the frame rail and UCA. Compress the spring up in to the crossmember pocket from the top, then swing the LCA up and connect the spindle to it.

This is a LOT safer than dropping the LCA completely from the u-bolts/cross shaft and trying to compress the spring to the LCA..

[Old Yeller 1970]

Originally Posted by djracer

I can't really say how much they will settle.

Since I'm a curious type, I looked around the www and according to this article "AFCO claims they have seen some springs lose as much as 15/16" of free height during normal operation." And "AFCO claims it is not uncommon for springs (even those which are well designed and properly manufactured) to settle up to 1% of their free height." Granted a heavy truck is completely different from a car but that at least gives me an idea what to expect.

Originally Posted by Super73

Word of advice when installing them....

Thanks

[aggie91]

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