Leaf Spring Conversion With Pictures
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Raonoke, IL
Amateur
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 36
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From: everett, wa.
Do you need a panhard/track bar with leaf sprung front axle. no
But will you want one? that'll depend on how you use that beast.
If it's mostly all offroad then you can probably get away with not using one. But if you plan on street driving then you most likely will like to have one. It would add steering stability and help to not wear out the leaf spring bushings prematurely. Which is going to depend on how hard of a bushing is used. The larger the spring arch the more leverage the axle can exude on the bushings and the shackles (I mention shackles because I have heard of shackles collapsing from the side forces).
Old 4x4 leaf sprung front ends did not have panhards, but the spring arch wasn't necessarily very large. The newer ford super duty with leafs and solid axles use a Panhard bar. I believe I read some factory leaf front suspension jeeps came with panhards also(but I can't confirm that, but i didn't look for confirmation). Basically for vehicles(with leaf front suspension) that spend most of their life on the street will benefit from the added stability of a panhard bar.
Now i am talking about a properly designed bar. Since you will need a custom one, it would be beneficial to read up on the proper geometry and design. Once you finish the steering and are able to drive it you should be able to decide if you want the added benefit of the panhard bar. A properly designed bar also should not inhibit flex much.
With those big tires you may also want to start thinking about brake upgrades, if you haven't already got some planned.
Good luck with either route you take.
When you do get the truck mobile and take it through some mud, could you post on how well those large rear leafs deal with axle wrap. Just curious.
Also could we get a pic of the side view that is more perpendicular?
But will you want one? that'll depend on how you use that beast.
If it's mostly all offroad then you can probably get away with not using one. But if you plan on street driving then you most likely will like to have one. It would add steering stability and help to not wear out the leaf spring bushings prematurely. Which is going to depend on how hard of a bushing is used. The larger the spring arch the more leverage the axle can exude on the bushings and the shackles (I mention shackles because I have heard of shackles collapsing from the side forces).
Old 4x4 leaf sprung front ends did not have panhards, but the spring arch wasn't necessarily very large. The newer ford super duty with leafs and solid axles use a Panhard bar. I believe I read some factory leaf front suspension jeeps came with panhards also(but I can't confirm that, but i didn't look for confirmation). Basically for vehicles(with leaf front suspension) that spend most of their life on the street will benefit from the added stability of a panhard bar.
Now i am talking about a properly designed bar. Since you will need a custom one, it would be beneficial to read up on the proper geometry and design. Once you finish the steering and are able to drive it you should be able to decide if you want the added benefit of the panhard bar. A properly designed bar also should not inhibit flex much.
With those big tires you may also want to start thinking about brake upgrades, if you haven't already got some planned.
Good luck with either route you take.
When you do get the truck mobile and take it through some mud, could you post on how well those large rear leafs deal with axle wrap. Just curious.
Also could we get a pic of the side view that is more perpendicular?
Professional
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: British Columbia, Canada
Do you need a panhard/track bar with leaf sprung front axle. no
But will you want one? that'll depend on how you use that beast.
If it's mostly all offroad then you can probably get away with not using one. But if you plan on street driving then you most likely will like to have one. It would add steering stability and help to not wear out the leaf spring bushings prematurely. Which is going to depend on how hard of a bushing is used. The larger the spring arch the more leverage the axle can exude on the bushings and the shackles (I mention shackles because I have heard of shackles collapsing from the side forces).
Old 4x4 leaf sprung front ends did not have panhards, but the spring arch wasn't necessarily very large. The newer ford super duty with leafs and solid axles use a Panhard bar. I believe I read some factory leaf front suspension jeeps came with panhards also(but I can't confirm that, but i didn't look for confirmation). Basically for vehicles(with leaf front suspension) that spend most of their life on the street will benefit from the added stability of a panhard bar.
Now i am talking about a properly designed bar. Since you will need a custom one, it would be beneficial to read up on the proper geometry and design. Once you finish the steering and are able to drive it you should be able to decide if you want the added benefit of the panhard bar. A properly designed bar also should not inhibit flex much.
With those big tires you may also want to start thinking about brake upgrades, if you haven't already got some planned.
Good luck with either route you take.
When you do get the truck mobile and take it through some mud, could you post on how well those large rear leafs deal with axle wrap. Just curious.
Also could we get a pic of the side view that is more perpendicular?
But will you want one? that'll depend on how you use that beast.
If it's mostly all offroad then you can probably get away with not using one. But if you plan on street driving then you most likely will like to have one. It would add steering stability and help to not wear out the leaf spring bushings prematurely. Which is going to depend on how hard of a bushing is used. The larger the spring arch the more leverage the axle can exude on the bushings and the shackles (I mention shackles because I have heard of shackles collapsing from the side forces).
Old 4x4 leaf sprung front ends did not have panhards, but the spring arch wasn't necessarily very large. The newer ford super duty with leafs and solid axles use a Panhard bar. I believe I read some factory leaf front suspension jeeps came with panhards also(but I can't confirm that, but i didn't look for confirmation). Basically for vehicles(with leaf front suspension) that spend most of their life on the street will benefit from the added stability of a panhard bar.
Now i am talking about a properly designed bar. Since you will need a custom one, it would be beneficial to read up on the proper geometry and design. Once you finish the steering and are able to drive it you should be able to decide if you want the added benefit of the panhard bar. A properly designed bar also should not inhibit flex much.
With those big tires you may also want to start thinking about brake upgrades, if you haven't already got some planned.
Good luck with either route you take.
When you do get the truck mobile and take it through some mud, could you post on how well those large rear leafs deal with axle wrap. Just curious.
Also could we get a pic of the side view that is more perpendicular?
I put Dana 60's out of a 1ton gas powered Dodge under a 1st gen 1/2 ton( leaf spring front and back), it was a direct bolt in, including the u-joints as only the Cummins trucks came with larger u-joints, the brakes are considerably larger on the 1 ton axles and you will need the extra strength of the D60's for your larger tires
Legend
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,843
Likes: 13
From: DFW, Texas
You could upgrade the rear brake cylinders to chevy 1 tons, they have a larger bore (1 3/16", of memory serves) and more clamping force. This is a great upgrade for pre-2000 second gens, and dirt cheap to boot. The chevy/gmc cylinders are even bigger than the dodge 1 tons, and bolt right on.
The fronts are a different matter, I know the 2001 calipers were 2 piston design and much better than the older 1 piston, but I dont know if it's as easy as just buying 2001 calipers and hangers and just bolting them on. Might need to look at a big brake kit.
The fronts are a different matter, I know the 2001 calipers were 2 piston design and much better than the older 1 piston, but I dont know if it's as easy as just buying 2001 calipers and hangers and just bolting them on. Might need to look at a big brake kit.
Last edited by aim4squirrels; Jul 11, 2011 at 10:25 AM.
