Parabolic 3-Leaf Rear Springs on Soft Top?

[jac04]

Has anyone used the Rovers North 3-leaf rear parabolic springs on a soft top 88? Used with the 2-leaf front parabolics, how was the ride height? Was the rear way up in the air?

I'm looking into springs for my 73 Lightweight project. I was going to get the Rocky Mountain 2 leaf fronts and 2 leaf rears to keep an even ride height. I'm having some issues getting in touch with RM, and I would rather just buy everything from Rovers North. However, Rovers North only offers the 3-leaf rear springs. I want to make sure that I don't end up with an uneven ride height.

Any input is appreciated.

[graniterover]

Having only experience with 2 leafs and a soft top, I'd say the 3's are too much. The back will be too high. Never tried it though....

[jac04]

^^ Are you using the Rocky Mountain 2-leaf rears? How is the ride height? Thanks.

[I Leak Oil]

I have RM 3 leaves in the back and to be honest I don't really notice a difference in either ride height or comfort going between the safari top or the soft top.
Jason T.

[scott]

i've got the 3 leaf on my softtop and it rides great. well sits great i should say as the engine is dead. but when it was running the ride was nice. i got about a 2" lift front and rear over that of the 44 y/o stock springs

[Moose]

I've got the RM 3 leafers on the back of my 88 soft top. The rear rides about an inch or so higher then the front. With a heavy load in the back, the ride is great, but empty, I think the 3-leafs on an 88 soft top are a bit too firm.

Brett

[graniterover]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/2923095125_07555bdd76.jpg

Mil length shackles in the front. Planned on doing them for the rear but it was already high. It might just be my truck, who knows.

[jac04]

^^That's what my 63 soft top looked like with Rocky Mountain 2 leaf fronts / 3 leaf rears with front military shackles (well, maybe a little higher).

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/jac04/000_0602.jpg

[xsbowes]

http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2073/10249131/18498171/292145400.jpg

This is my 72 Ltwt with 2 leaf front, and 2 on the back, i think and OME shocks. I'll have to check for sure on the rear. The springs probably need lubed. But it rides alot better than the SIIA I had with new stock springs and procomp shocks. Especially over those reflectors they use for speed bumps here. They toss my Montero all over. with the Ltwt I only hear the noise. I also have a Safari top on it now.

http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2073/10249131/18498171/317946403.jpg

[Jim-ME]

I've got RM 3 leaf rears on my 88 softtop. The rear end sits a little higher than the front but I don't think it's obnoxious. As far as ride goes, it's been so long since I've ridden in a Rover with stock springs I can't really comment.
Jim

[Tim Smith]

I've got RM (I think) two leafers in the front, three in the back. I think there is a difference of about an inch from front to back unloaded but I've also got a winch with wire spool hanging off the front. When the 33" spare was mounted on the front, the truck felt a little unbalanced. After tossing that in the back, it feels better.

For daily driving the three leafers *might* be a little much but when you do things like below with your truck, you'll be happy with the ride.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/smithco1/RhQBiCu2m8I/AAAAAAAAArk/k6qbimRXuJA/s144/DSC00325.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/smithco1/BumbaFlysAgain#5049662766549736386)

I've had 10 90# bags of cement in the back and I gotta tell you that the three leafers certainly will smooth right out. :D

[badvibes]

jac04-

I've driven a soft top 88 for most of a year, truck is my friend Scott's. RM paras, 2 leaf front, 3 leaf rears. Compared to my 88 which has a hard top and a relatively new stock 9 leaf front, 11 leaf rear suspension Scott's truck rides and handles a bit nicer on the road. Off road his suspension seems to flex well but I think its limited by still running the stock length shocks. Ride height between the 2 trucks is very comparable.

Jeff

Whoops, sorry jac04, guess my reading skills need some work.

[jac04]

Lots of good stuff here, but has anyone used the Rovers North parabolics on a soft top 88?

[TedW]

2-leaf front / 3-leaf rear.
Black. Not sure who made them. Les??? They are not RM's, I do know that.
I also got OME shocks.
Took off the OME shocks. Too stiff for me.
Put my Woodheads back on.
Love the ride. Even better now with poly bushes (confession: mine are from Great Basin Rovers - greasable and very cool).
Night and day compared to stock springs. Talk to Les and he will set you right.

[jac04]

Ted-
Do you have any other pictures of your Rover to give me an idea of ride height?

I'm dealing with Les right now on a bunch of parts to refurbish my Lightweight. I just wanted to make sure that the 3-leafs wouldn't be too much for the rear.

[TedW]

Front wheelwell height: 35.25"
Rear wheelwell height: 35"
235/85/16 tires
Avatar photo is with 30x9.5x15 tires

[jac04]

Thanks Ted!