Rough Country 4" Springs, should I remove one leaf?

[Rescue Diver]

Between the Jeep being ultra light because of the fiberglass tub, and my 4" Rough Country springs being so stiff, I virtually have no rear suspension. The rear also sits a little higher than the front since there's not enough weight in the rear to make them compress at all. I'm thinking about removing the second longest spring and going with just 4 leafs. The second longest looks almost like an afterthought. The other 4 are spaced pretty evenly with several inches between the ends, but the second longest leaf splits the space between the top and the third spring and comes almost to the ends of the one that bolts to the hanger and shackle. Has anyone on here ever tried this before? If so, how did it work out?

 

[Sasquach]

I have removed the 1 and 2 smallest ones from the rear of my Rubicon springs and have no issues with it. It made for a much better ride. Not so sure I would remove the longer ones you are talking about though?

 

[Kane]

I think as long as your two main springs are there then you should be fine. I am going to do the same with my lift when I drop to 31's this winter.

 

[Rescue Diver]

I have removed the 1 and 2 smallest ones from the rear of my Rubicon springs and have no issues with it. It made for a much better ride. Not so sure I would remove the longer ones you are talking about though?

The reason I'm thinking of removing the second longest one is because without it, the remaining springs ends would be evenly spaced. Right now the second longest one seems to be crammed in there as an addition that was put there to stiffen it up.

 

[Sasquach]

Give it a try.

 

[Rescue Diver]

I went to the parking lot on break and confirmed that the third spring down from top has the bracket that alligns them and if I remove the second from top, the spacing between the remaining 4 spring ends will be exactly even. Looks like that's the way to go. If they end up sagging later, I can always put the second ones back on.

 

[Rescue Diver]

Here's what I ended up doing. I first removed the second longest leaf from both sides. This helped a lot without noticibly lowering the ride height. I tried this for a couple weeks but it was still too stiff because my CJ is so light with the fiberglass tub. I still couldn't even get it to compress a all when I bounced my 200lbs on the spare tire rack, and I still felt all the small bumps in the road. Yesterday I decided to remove the two bottom (shortest) springs. It still didn't lower the ride height, but with just three leafs I'm finally able to slightly compress the rear suspension by bouncing on it even though it's still a little stiff. It also has good flex with one rear wheel backed up on a ramp, and when I pull one front wheel on the ramp the opposite rear now compresses some. That should help a lot on the RTI ramp! It drives a heluva lot better too! I don't feel every tiny bump in the road, it handles better with less wander, and is more stable when driving down the highway at higher speeds. I think I finally hit the right combination! Who would have thought I'd only use three out of the five rear leafs per side? But that fiberglass body is really light! I can't expess how nice it is to finally have it drive comfortably.

 

[Sasquach]

Sounds good!
Every spring you pull out does lower your vehicle even if only the thickness of the spring itself, this lowering of the rear end if thats all you did will give the steering more castor and making for a more stable Cj and less wander.

 

[Kane]

Sounds good!
Every spring you pull out does lower your vehicle even if only the thickness of the spring itself, this lowering of the rear end if thats all you did will give the steering more castor and making for a more stable Cj and less wander.

That only holds true if the vehicle has the axles under the spring. The only height he will lose is from the springs settling due to less leaves helping support the vehicle.

Thanks for the write up. I plan on doing this with my Black Diamond 3" springs. I don't care about the height so much but I want a better ride and do not want to buy yet another set of springs. A little settling will actually make it better for me. Plus my rear sits higher due to the same reason as your Jeep. Fiberglass body and no weight back there.

 

[Rescue Diver]

That only holds true if the vehicle has the axles under the spring. The only height he will lose is from the springs settling due to less leaves helping support the vehicle.

Thanks for the write up. I plan on doing this with my Black Diamond 3" springs. I don't care about the height so much but I want a better ride and do not want to buy yet another set of springs. A little settling will actually make it better for me. Plus my rear sits higher due to the same reason as your Jeep. Fiberglass body and no weight back there.

You beat me to it. Before I read your post I was about to point out that I'm just running spring under axle so my axle pads are still just sitting right where they've always been, right on top of the top(longest) spring. Their position in relation to the frame, spring mounts, and shackles hasn't changed. Since it still doesn't settle any even with only three springs instead of five, the resting height hasn't changed at all. Maybe they'll sag a little with time, but I kind of doubt it. It's still pretty stiff, but at least it gives when it hits bumps now so it's much improved. I could probably drop the second shortest spring as well and get a "Comfortable Ride" but I wouldn't be very comfortable knowing I only have two leafs on each side back there. Plus it would look weird. Lol

I'm still running all five leafs on the fronts, but they work ok because of the motor weight.

Let us know how it works out for you.

 

[Kane]

Will do. I hope to try it out in the next week or two.

 

[Sasquach]

That only holds true if the vehicle has the axles under the spring. The only height he will lose is from the springs settling due to less leaves helping support the vehicle.

That is correct..My bad.

 

[Chevy350 CJ7]

I have removed the 1 and 2 smallest ones from the rear of my Rubicon springs and have no issues with it. It made for a much better ride. Not so sure I would remove the longer ones you are talking about though?

Nice picture of Bodie!

 

[Sasquach]

Nice picture of Bodie!

Good eye!

 

[dalefan88]

how do you remove springs from the pack? sorry to highjack.

 

[Sasquach]

how do you remove springs from the pack? sorry to highjack.

Support the CJ and remove the U bolts from the axle, that will expose the bolt that sandwiches the spring pack together. Once you remove than bolt/pin they will seperate.

 

[lewisipso]

I have recently put a rough country 4" lift under my rig. Holy **** did they name that lift right. My rig is some rough rider now. I am currently considering the recommendations in this thread to help with that problem. Will the springs and the ride settle some if I don't remove them? Thanks in advance for any info.
James

 

[Rescue Diver]

I have recently put a rough country 4" lift under my rig. Holy **** did they name that lift right. My rig is some rough rider now. I am currently considering the recommendations in this thread to help with that problem. Will the springs and the ride settle some if I don't remove them? Thanks in advance for any info.
James

Not much. I bought my springs used from a guy on Craigslist, so they had plenty of wear to settle and they were still so stiff they wouldn't even compress under the light weight fiberglass tubbed CJ. I removed both lower leafs on each side of the rear and it became tolerable without losing any ride height. I've been told that stock YJ springs ride really good. Been thinking of buying a set and having them re-arched at a local shop.

 

[diddy2003]

What do you think the weight difference between a glass tub and steel would be? I am wondering if removing two leaves from my RC 4 inch lift will make a difference. My jeep is all steel.