Rat Rod Roundup - I think that's broken

"CalzoneGolem" (calzonegolem) 08/15/2013 at 11:30 • Filed to: Rat-L-Trap

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Bullmobile says, "Hi!"

I jacked the truck up and removed the wheels. I've used some 2x8s (Thanks, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ) to put my jackstands on.

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Look Ma, wheels pacers!

So I found a broken leaf spring, some highly questionable lug nuts and wheel spacers.

The lugs are super soft. I rounded one with just a 1/2" ratchet. Bonus Soul in this picture.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > CalzoneGolem 08/15/2013 at 11:48

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Time for an interesting lesson on leaf springs.

Look at the leaf in this picture. There are several salient points:

How many leaves are the full length of the spring? What is the job of the second leaf? What occurs if something "rides" the leaf?

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First question: the spring has 3-4 (depending on model) leaves extending the full length of the spring, with the last of these supporting the others around the bushing. This is intended to reduce stress on that leaf, as the leaves in use are thinner than typical.

Second question: either one or two leaves in addition to the primary bushing-retaining one form loops around the bushing end. In case of end failure, the bushing end remains captive, and the vehicle can still be driven.

Third question: The axle is mounted above the spring, so contact with elements dragging the leaf spring can continue to drag past, and have a much harder time becoming stuck. In addition, the shock is mounted behind the front axle, and all spring shackles on the vehicle operate rearward to prevent snag.

/that guy who won't shut up about Land Rovers.

CalzoneGolem > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 08/15/2013 at 12:08

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That was pretty informative, thanks!

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > CalzoneGolem 08/15/2013 at 12:18

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The steering links behind/above the springs are also a safety feature.

As a side note, you can actually pin down year to a point with that picture. The steering arms are mounted to the bottom of the swivel housings instead of the top, which means it's later than '61, and the brakes (I think) have their lines laid out consistent with dual brakes, so '67 or later. That's less clear, however. I think the drums are pre-series III (slight difference in taper), so that means this is most likely a Late IIa ('68-'71), LHD as can be seen from the steering linkage.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > CalzoneGolem 08/15/2013 at 13:11

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So what is your plan of action?

CalzoneGolem > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 08/15/2013 at 13:19

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Replace leaf springs. Try to source wider rear with lsd and disks. Buy new lug nuts.

Still working on stripping as much as I can from the frame. I might try to drop the axle when I get home.