Parabolic springs vs custom made springs

[Crawf.mech91]

I need to replace my springs in the rear of my ute iv heard lots of things about the 2 different types of springs (parabolic or custom made) just wondering if you have either ones if you could tell me what you think is better

I need them to be able to carry weight when I load my car with my camper trailer and also all my missus and my crap cause we are travelling around aus but we stop every now and again and have no weight in the car and don't want it to be solid as a rock

Thanks

[06lux]

Check out sax suspension. Think monster rides has a thread on them. A lot of god feedback from guys that use them

[andy666]

Why not standard leaf springs with air bags?

[Alby]

Why not standard leaf springs with air bags?

Chassis breaker!

[07luxyTD]

I got Ultimate to make some springs up for me as i have an alloy tray, but also a jack off canopy that i will throw on soon. Canopy weight will be up around the 300-400kg. When unloaded the ute rides quite comfortable in the rear. Ive loaded it up with 400 odd kg of firewood and the handling barely changed. Ride was perfect. The rear sits up a little when unloaded but its what i had to pay to avoid airbags. Flexs great rides great loaded and unloaded, doesnt sag with 400 odd kgs loaded up and no body roll. I beleive most camper trailers only have about and 80kg ball weight? and then depends on the gear you load into the back

From what ive heard the sax are alittle harsh when unloaded. Also alittle pricey to.
Id give the boys at Ultimate a call and see what they cant sort out for you

[deffer64]

I got airbags in mine and when empty run no air in them and only put max 50 psi when fully loaded does the job nicely.

[gumby90]

[quote="07luxyTD"

From what ive heard the sax are alittle harsh when unloaded. Also alittle pricey to.
Id give the boys at Ultimate a call and see what they cant sort out for you[/quote] Yes they bloody hurt when there's no weight in there

[SRD4D]

I just upgraded my rear springs(2 days before my trip) and got jumboz/allsprings moorebank to reset the stock springs 2" higher + add an extra leaf(Ive done this in a few of my 4wds,road/race cars up and down) for my trip to the Cape,its sits alittle high in the rear unloaded but Im the same with my camper trailer it used to sag so this will now sit nicely,this morning was the first drive around town with out a load in it and it feels fine and goes like a rocket again without all that bloody weight in it. it feel perfect when carrying weight as well no wallowing/leaning harsh around corners,I will be fitting new shocks,struts soon as well.
Cost was $450 fited.

[Crawf.mech91]

Thanks for all that info!

With air bags are they easy to install and why are they a chassis breaker? Also I'm looking at fitting one of the Boab tanks to go above my spare wheel will the air bags still fit with that?

I sent an email to ultimate suspension cause I got bugger all time to talk on the phone during daylight hours but didn't hear anything from them.

I got a price for a set of parabolics from westralia springs for around $880 I think.

[07luxyTD]

When installing an airbag it loadeds up the chassis between its designed load point (shackles and front pin.) Just think when your tring to break a stick one end in either hand then you get your knee and push the centre and bang she snaps. Well air bags work on the same principle by adding a load point in the centre just not that damatic of going bang. but in some cases the chassis have bent stright over the bag. Air bags work well if the correct springs are installed and not just using the airbags to take the weight.

[Rocket55]

If you are not careful with your airbag suspension, your Hilux will end up looking like this new (at the time) Triton

[brusa]

Why not standard leaf springs with air bags?

Chassis breaker!

I beg to differ.
If you load the tray right up to the max, then pump the bags up til it's nose down (excessively too high) , then tow a heavily loaded trailer and then drive over days of corrugated dirt roads.......then yes, it's more likely

[Alby]

Don't listen to Brusa, he doesnt even know which end of a cow to milk !

Airbags should be used as fine adjustment to your springs, not as a substitute for springs designed to carry your intended loads

[camsmith]

Definitely give Ultimate a call. I fitted a 2 inch lift kit from them just before a recent Simpson trip. Empty it sat about 50mm higher in the front and about 80mm higher in the back. Once loaded for the trip - GVM- the rear only sagged about 20mm. Rides really well when it is loaded or empty. Heavy duty front coils and heavy duty rears as well. Not at all harsh when empty although I weigh around 2.3t with all the bar work and canopy.

[Crawf.mech91]

If you are not careful with your airbag suspension, your Hilux will end up looking like this new (at the time) Triton

Where is this?

I'm gonna try and get onto ultimate tomorrow or next week

Thanks heaps for this, I'm guessing air bags isn't the way to go cause iv got shit loads of weight when fully loaded!!

[Hilux Max]

Why not reset the factory springs?

Factory springs use good steel.

reset them so its rides soft when empty, and then get the load leaves to come in a little earlier as soon as you put some weight in it.

you could also add a leaf to the setup and the leaves are cheap if you get em near new 2nd hand from ARB who throw em out.

[ktm300]

I have a mate selling some OME rear Leaves . They were pretty high from what I can remember when they were on his Hilux . Do think he wants to much I think 200 for the pair . If your keen let me know and I will find out more . Remember they are located In Victoria Yarrawonga 3730

[Crawf.mech91]

That sounds tempting but would cost a shit load to get to derby WA if only I were still in that cold state of vic hahaha thanks any way

Still haven't had the chance to get onto ultimate work is flat out will try again Monday