I always measure my preload(using a fish scale on some vehs ( toyota,mazda) If your bearings are too tight they will burn out quicker,poor gas mileage, and may even seize.. too loose.. same results plus clunking/knocking over bumps. Preload is mucho importante
Thanks Fupabox, I didn't know much about what I was talking, it's nice to know that it's a "Good Thing"
I'd be interrested myself! I have a 92 Suzi, w/ 2.5" lift, but seams all of these things bottom out quite quickly. Havn't looked into the spring situation, but have often wondered! Keeps this posted, as I'm sure there are several hundered other folks interrested! AL
Hey Aligator, go with the springs, you won't be sorry, not any harder to instal than a lift kit, I don't know about a Suzi, and what you have hanging off the front, and what hangs over your belt, I put the 225LB springs in my Daihatsu. I have my winch in a side pocket that I built, and a 2 inch reciever, front and rear so I have a choice about what end I pull from, with out the added weight on the front. Hope it goes good for you.
A little off topic, But can I cheap out and put in those rubber rings from Canadian tire and put them under the springs to boost it up? The front is riding to low and bottoms out on bumps with 2 onboad. Steve
I thought about doing that at first, when I looked at my springs when I took them out I noticed that they were flattened on the bottom, from crushing together, meaning to me, that they were too weak. If you put the rubber in them it may boost the front up a bit, but will that cause you to break them?, maybe some one else has done this?
More: If you live close to Van, you should be able to find a spring place some where, they are not expensive, and you only have to take it a part one time.
you can get the replacement springs so cheap (30-40$ each) it's almost a waste of time to try anything else in my opinion..added bonus is the 1 1/2 inch lift,and superior ride/handling..the rubber isolater rings will just make the coils that are not compressing pass their load to other coils. The factory springs are very crappy (again my opinion) and 1000% inferior to the upgrades
'92 Suzi Springs Thanks for the advice Groz! I have a brush guard, and also a reciever hitch on front. I would really like to see kind of a step by step thing, but thats ok, just pic.s would work too!
OK, I'm in That sounds like the best way, thanks, Now, I get them from where? No one is going to wind me springs for that price I wouldn't think. But I can't stand the way it is now at the front. Steve
These must be auto parts names Hey? Never heard of them over here, so I just call em up ant tell them I want stiffer springs for a 91 RHD Bravo van? Seems to good to be true. Steve
Yes jegs and summit are auto parts places in the U.S. if you tell em mitsubishi bravo they will look at you like had 6 heads.. somewhere in this post I recall someone with the sizes of Mitsubishi coil springs.. just go by that when ordering
Damn, I can't seem to find it......anyone? 91 Bravo U43V stiffer front replacement springs? Thanks for all your help on this. Steve
The details are in this thread. I think that all the mini trucks have roughly the same size springs. If you read it from the start, you'll find the info, including the brand and size that greg used.
I used 10" 250# springs 2 1/2 inside daimeter ....Mines a daihatsu tho,others used 2 5/8 inside daimater same length..most seem to use between 215 -275 pound springs http://www.jegs.com/p/QA1/QA1-Chrome-Coil-Springs/757458/10002/-1
Ya their chrome..I posted the wrong ones sorry. Made me walk out and check, I was thinking did I put chrome springs on ??? I know my mind is wonky but HHHMMM...This is the correct 1 http://www.jegs.com/p/QA1/QA1-Powdercoated-Coil-Springs/743889/10002/-1 Cheaper than the chrome (they were $29 each on sale when I got em) hopefully the chrome ones would be just as durable, chromed wheels hold up longer than painted but I see your point as to flexing. Mine appear clear coated after the powder coat maybe the chrome ones are coated as well...maybe I'm just so old everything seems shiney to me
I just got the phone with Jim at "Jegs" in the US He said didn't I talk to you yesterday?, I said no, apparently someone else from this site just ordered the same 10" 250 lb springs I was asking about. But I'm wondering what the spring rate for my stock van would be? I want to know if 250lbs is enough, before I buy them, mine now bottom out with 2 people on a speedbump. Steve
250 should be good. mine bottomed with 2 people on a speed bump as well and the 250s are about perfect, any higher may be too stiff unless you have a plow or winch on the front as well
Late addition to this post - haven't been on in awhile! We've done several trucks using the 12" 250lb coils INSTEAD of traditional 2" lift spacers up front and they have worked good so far. I want to experiment with using 225-pounders instead because the front ends were very stiff on these trucks. Having said that, the height was perfect and allowed use of 23" AT tires with only minimal trimming on the front clip for full-lock steering. I like this solution ALOT better than the strut spacers for providing lift in the 2" ball-park. It seems that 12" coils are the ideal method for a 2" lift-replacement while 10" coils are the better option if you choose to utilize strut spacer cups as well. The camber on the front wheels was virtually un-changed from stock but clearance was perfect. We use 2" shackles on the rear to finish the lift unless needing additional weight payload capacities. Here is a pair of Mitsu's we recently set-up for a customer using AFCO coils: 2003 Mitsu Heavy Dump with full-hydraulic 72" plow: 2000 MiniCab (also with identical plow system): I have a 95 Mitsu MiniCab in the shop right now that will also receive 12" 250lb coils in preparation for a Berco snowblower. I'll share more on this truck project once we're further into it.
I will try the 225 lb 12 inch springs and report back. Is there somewhere cheaper to get them then summit racing? They are $65.95 each and the site says they wont ship until Nov 13......
Jegs for springs Well, I just ordered my 10" - 250lb springs from Jegs. I will report on how they work out when I get them and install them in my 91 Bravo van, I ordered 2 springs part# 122-10-250 The springs are wound from .500" wire, my old ones are .410" so it should work out a little stiffer and stop the bottoming out while giving the van more stability with cornering and braking. I spoke to Jim parr, at JEGS, and he was super helpfull in helping me choose the best spring. I would ask for him if you call 1-800-345-4545, (toll free from Canada too!) And they are not new to canadian orders, so that's good. Steve
just ordered the 225lb 12 inch springs for my 96 mitsubishi. Ill let you all know how it turns out when they arrive.
Sounds good, Take a picture of the old beside the new springs, if you remember, I will do the same. Steve
What is the max spring height(12" or14") for the struts before maxing them out? Meaning could you run 14" and get about 3-4 " of lift?
got my 12 inch 225lb afco coils saturday. should get them installed this week, and tested this weekend! ill keep everyone updated.
after spending about 4 hours writing my 12 inch coil spring hate story It got deleted because the site logged me out........... ill retype and submit it later, for now all you need to know is do not install the 12 inch coils, period. you might as well weld them solid. ill explain agian, when i get over having lost my last post............
