Parabolic 3-Leaf Rear Springs on Soft Top?

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  • jac04
    Overdrive
    • Feb 2007
    • 1884

    Parabolic 3-Leaf Rear Springs on Soft Top?

    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
    1st Gear
    • Oct 2006
    • 167

    #2
    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....

    Comment

    • jac04
      Overdrive
      • Feb 2007
      • 1884

      #3
      ^^ Are you using the Rocky Mountain 2-leaf rears? How is the ride height? Thanks.

      Comment

      • I Leak Oil
        Overdrive
        • Nov 2006
        • 1796

        #4
        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.
        Jason
        "Clubs are for Chumps" Club president

        Comment

        • scott
          Overdrive
          • Oct 2006
          • 1226

          #5
          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
          '64 Series IIA 88 Canvas Tilt
          '68 Series IIA RHD Ambulance
          '76 Spitfire 1500
          '07 LR3 (Series Recovery Vehicle)

          Comment

          • Moose
            2nd Gear
            • Oct 2006
            • 226

            #6
            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
            Series 3 88 Diesel Soft Top
            Ex-Mod 110 Tdi

            Comment

            • graniterover
              1st Gear
              • Oct 2006
              • 167

              #7


              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.

              Comment

              • jac04
                Overdrive
                • Feb 2007
                • 1884

                #8
                ^^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).

                Comment

                • xsbowes
                  2nd Gear
                  • Dec 2006
                  • 258

                  #9


                  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.

                  Stacy
                  Motta S.A. Italy

                  Comment

                  • Jim-ME
                    Overdrive
                    • Oct 2006
                    • 1379

                    #10
                    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

                    Comment

                    • Tim Smith
                      Overdrive
                      • Nov 2006
                      • 1504

                      #11
                      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.



                      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.

                      Comment

                      • badvibes
                        3rd Gear
                        • Mar 2007
                        • 364

                        #12
                        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.
                        Last edited by badvibes; 10-18-2008, 03:59 PM.
                        1964 Series 2A SW, LHD mostly stock, often runs!

                        1991 Range Rover Hunter

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                        • jac04
                          Overdrive
                          • Feb 2007
                          • 1884

                          #13
                          Lots of good stuff here, but has anyone used the Rovers North parabolics on a soft top 88?

                          Comment

                          • TedW
                            5th Gear
                            • Feb 2007
                            • 887

                            #14
                            Yes. Parabolics and soft top. I got mine from Les (aka "The Man&quot.

                            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.

                            Comment

                            • jac04
                              Overdrive
                              • Feb 2007
                              • 1884

                              #15
                              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.

                              Comment

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