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Front Coil Springs

Discussion in 'General Truck Info' started by greg0187, Apr 29, 2008.

  1. Socal Sonny

    Socal Sonny Member

    so if a 10" spring raises a truck anywhere from 1-2" depending on the sag of the original spring.. does that mean a 7" spring will lower the car a little over an inch?
    whats the shortest spring we could put on these trucks?
     
  2. fupabox

    fupabox Well-Known Member

    the 10" spring is no longer than stock..just using a stiffer spring to reduce initial compression...basically you are removing the settling that the stock spring has when you lower it back onto the ground....a shorter spring would lower the truck over stock but you would have to take the maximum strut extension into account...I would think you could only get away with a 1-2 inch shorter spring before you would lose the compression that keeps the spring tightly in place on the perch unless you shorten the strut rod
     
  3. Socal Sonny

    Socal Sonny Member

    i understand the settling of the springs and all that. im just wondering how short of a spring could i use without it popping out if i hit a pothole.

    if this were in the back i could use a nylon strap to reduce the total extension..
     
  4. fupabox

    fupabox Well-Known Member

    The easiest way wouldbe to machine/grind the top of the strut rod down an inch or 2(the smaller diameter threaded part of the shaft)...tap the threads into the newly machined rod end and cut off the excess...you would then get your drop and could use the shorter spring without worrying about overextension
     
  5. DYNOBOB

    DYNOBOB Member

    My Afco experience...

    After reading all the info I decided on the Afco 10"/250lb front springs. I'm very pleased w/ the results and my choice of spring rate. It raised the truck right at an inch with no one in the truck and it doesn't sink near as much when two people get in. Effectively it sits 1.5-2" higher when loaded and doesn't feel like your going to hit the nose going through dips offroad. With two tires off the ground in the woods the loaded front was not on the bump stop now(the rear was). Also, I think the weight of a plow would not even faze the truck now. For me, 275lb springs would have been too stiff and mine is a newer, heavier truck. It took ~30 minutes per side to install. Here are some pics.

    Before install (unloaded)
    [​IMG]

    After install
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    After install
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2011
    DEG95DH, Techspec360 and Socal Sonny like this.
  6. socsmm6

    socsmm6 Member

    is ther any difference between the afco springs and the qa 1 springs besides the color? afco's are 120 bucks a pair and qa1 springs are 80 bucks a pair.
     
  7. greg0187

    greg0187 Moderator Staff Member

    The afco springs are larger diameter. 2-5/8 vs 2-1/2. Not much difference. The larger diameter the spring the better.
     
  8. akguy09

    akguy09 Member

    Afco springs

    I put some 175 pound 10 inch springs on and I love the ride of my old 88 mits U15t, thought about heavier springs but I weigh less than 200 and my wife only weighs 100 soaking wet, took me 3 hours in the drivewAy not bad at all
     
  9. msdelta

    msdelta New Member

    msdelta

    How does the strut/coil springs come apart? I have mine off but how do they come apart?
     
  10. greg0187

    greg0187 Moderator Staff Member

    on the top of the strut (end that was under the seat) there is a dust cap. Remove that dust cap and there is a nut. Be careful bc the spring is under some load so you should relieve tension on the spring with a spring compressor before removing the nut. I left the strut on the truck and put a jack under the control arm letting the weight of the truck compress the spring. Take the nut off and lower the control arm with the jack while the rest of the truck is supported on jackstands. Did the same to compress the new spring to put it back on. Its a little tricky because you must be sure the strut rod is fully extended and the notch on the end of the rod indexes back into the upper mount.
     
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2011
  11. lowTrac

    lowTrac New Member

    Thanks Greg, I read this thread a few days ago after buying my first jap minitruck and I ordered a set of AFCO 10" 275lb. coils for my 96' mitsubishi minicab. I got them put on today, it rides much better off road and it lifted it about 1 1/2" or 2". btw thanks for the tip on just using the trucks weight to change the springs i didn't even need to rent the spring compressor tool!
    Anybody know what size tire i can run on this thing now 23" or 25"? wheel offset?
     
  12. TRAX and HORNS

    TRAX and HORNS Well-Known Member

    My 2 cents. At some point the springs will settle (275 lbs springs maybe maybe not) In either case you will be ok with 23 or 24's.
    I lift Daihatsu's 1 1/2" to 1 3/4" and run 23" swamp fox. Suz/Mazda I lift 1 3/4" to 2" and run either a 23 or 24" swamp fox. So a 23x8x12 / 24x8x12 will be good (Dont go wider than 8" unless you use a spacer or offset wheel).
    With these combination I dont need the offset wheel.
    I think the 25"'s will be to high unless you add a full body lift. You may or may not have to trim some of the fender. You may are may not have rubbing from the inside mud grip lugs on the strut spring.
    Keep in mind, smaller tire keep's more horse power.
     
  13. lowTrac

    lowTrac New Member

    So you think I can run a 23 or 24x8x12 on the stock 12's? there is barely a finger width between the tires and the strut now.
    And i know the larger tires will change the gearing and take some of the acceleration away. not sure how it will change the horsepower though? I am not trying to start anything though thanks for the info.
     
  14. spaner

    spaner Well-Known Member

    ...


    Been thinking about this for a while. Deciding if I should go with a high lift system or a variable lift or suspention upgrade and obstruction slider.

    Everything being not equal, I decided on the slider with the 250lb Afco springs. As Greg said, I himed and hawed about cutting the springs prior to installation as per previous installers' instructions. Try as I might, I could not figure out why guys are cutting the springs:confused:

    1/2 hour for each side. Teck tips: pull the top keyed mount pot out untill after strut is jacked into place and use a rag wraped around the shaft to control angle and extention while jacking. Very easy mod, thanks Greg and others.

    Result: 1 3/4" lift with 3/4" strut extention remaining/Perfect:D

    Springs were not cut and strut spring seats have over 90% surface contact/support.

    Still asking: why has everyone been cuting the springs?


    ...
     
  15. DYNOBOB

    DYNOBOB Member

    I didn't cut mine either but the springs bow sideways if you don't cut them. I decided I could live w/ the bow...


    .
     
  16. spaner

    spaner Well-Known Member

    NYNOBOB-You were right. Upon closer inspection, my springs DO bow to the inside, away from the tire. Maybe 1/4" more on the inside compared to the outside; at the midpoint. 1/8" shifted. Dosen't seem to be any down-side to it though, and I'm sure that any cutting would result in a proportional reduction in lift. Like you said; I can live with it.

    Besides, this is a direct solution for anyone with a slight tire side-wall rub.
    That's how I tend to see these little revelations; as just a solution for some OTHER problem.;)
     
  17. jkade72

    jkade72 Member

    How do you all think 300lb springs will work? Speedway has them on sale for $34.99 each. I plan on building a bumper and winch so I will be a bit heavier on the front.

    Thanks, Kade
     
  18. makarwich1969

    makarwich1969 New Member

    Gregg, It sounds like you have a lot of experience with the Hijet. Did I read in the threads somewhere that you have a 5" lift?

    Marvin
     
  19. greg0187

    greg0187 Moderator Staff Member

    It was 5" but its 10" now. :pop:
     
  20. bowhunter

    bowhunter New Member

    coils

    Wondering if anybody has done this to a 03 suzuki. Everybody that I have talked to said it can't be done because the springs are wider at the bottom and then on top. But when I looked at my springs they seem to be the same size all the way through. I obviously know that I'm going to have to take them off myself to find out, but was wondering if anybody knows anything about this or has done it themselves.
     
  21. DYNOBOB

    DYNOBOB Member

  22. jwetovick

    jwetovick Member

    Thats an awesome project Dynobob. I guess I didn't realize a 23x8x12 tire would fit on a stock 12in wheel? For some reason those carlisle look skinny compared to my STI Black Diamond 23x8x12 but maybe its because I have mine on a set of STI wheels that are a little wider than stock?
     
  23. DYNOBOB

    DYNOBOB Member

    Yeah those tires looked skinny. The suzuki factory wheel is only 3.5" wide though (it was a bear to mount them). My AllTrails on factory (4") Hijet wheels look twice as wide.



    .
     
  24. Houlamiller

    Houlamiller New Member

    It isn't a perfect solution but, if you cannot find good springs, have believed about just experimenting using the bump stops? I remember when i had a number of stops from the friend who accustomed to work on Eibach and essentially the concept was for their services to perform a final "tune". You will find several "coil over conversions" available. I've one for my Volkswagen but haven't installed it yet. Essentially, a coilover adapter sits within the normal spring perch and enables you to definitely both use standard 3"(?) coil springs AND adjust the peak. I'm going to did around during my stuff and find out basically will find the title of these.


    performance brake rotors
    brakes rotors
     
  25. Acerguy

    Acerguy Moderator Staff Member

    Funny, I have a set of "Ground Control" coilover adapters that I've never used for my own VW and was going to see if they'll work on the Daihatsu strut. I also have a collection of Eibach bump stops to try as well as I'm never going to get around to "tuning" my old Golf any more than it already is
     
  26. After reading about 2/3rds of this thread, I feel that I can make a few assumptions.

    First, I have a 92 Honda HA4 with no lift kit, and I have 25x8x12 tires on it. With 2 people in the cab, the tires do rub on the top of the wheel well when I hit a bump.

    Here is what I am assuming, tell me if I'm wrong. (And, all of this is for the front wheels only)

    1. Adding heavier duty coil springs will help keep the tires from rubbing.
    2. Adding heavier duty coil springs will not adversely affect the CV Joints.
    3. Changing the coil springs can usually be done without any special tools or spring compressor.
    4. Adding a 2" lift kit will also help keep the tires from rubbing, but may cause more wear on the CV Joints.

    So, if what I assume is correct, the best option to keep the tires from rubbing is the heavier duty coil springs and not a lift kit??

    If you guys think I am correct, I will order some heavier coil springs.
     
  27. DYNOBOB

    DYNOBOB Member

    All your statements are correct. You'll like the stiffer springs.


    .
     
  28. rwsem

    rwsem Member

    OK- wife had a headache so I read all 18 pages. When test driving the 1988 S81P that I plan to buy Tuesday, I noticed a hard clunk while traveling across some RR tracks. It looks like the struts are shot (leaking evident) and since I'll be replacing those- you folks have convinced me to change the springs as well. What I think I understand is the older vehicles have a bit lighter springs.
    Would I be better suited with 225#, 250#, or another weight for the '88 HiJet? Are the '88s 10" as well? Primary use will be gravel roads with washboard and ruts; I plan to add a winch and tube bumper.
    Also- any recommendation on replacement struts would be appreciated.
    Finally- has anyone else tried the add-a-shock to the control arm that was mentioned previously? Maybe that would be smarter in the long run and more cost effective than replacing struts?

    Best Regards, Ron
     
  29. Jacques Morin

    Jacques Morin New Member

    Hello al
    is it possible to use yamaha rhino or other uTV front suspension ???? And which one
    thanks good site
     
  30. tcencore

    tcencore New Member

    Spring source

    Hello all, I am new member to this forum and to the mini truck world. Just bought a 1992 Daihatsu Hijet about a month ago and have already started with alot of the mods suggested by this forum. Have read almost all 18 pages of this thread and unless i missed it did not see Summit Racing mentioned as a source for the coil springs. Just ordered 10" 2-1\2" 275# springs over the weekend and should receive them today by the tracking. I went with the 275's because of the weight in the front (bumper, winch, off road use etc.). Springs were $34.95 each plus shipping. Truck had 2" lift and 23" tires when I got it. Planning on leaving the lift out and see how it works. Already lowered the rear some due to differential roar, and roar is now gone. Previous owner had rear raised somewhat higher than front, too much imho.
     

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