Carrying heavy loads - stiffen up the rear?

Post by **SoLaMaNdA** » 11 Dec 2006 03:56 pm

Double meaning in the title aside

.....

What is the easiest way to beef up the spring rate on the back of a 360 for carrying heavy loads? Is it simply cutting the springs off a scrap car, loosening the bolts on each side and sliding on an extra length of leaf spring?

I'm sure a drifter has done a modification similar, (with lowering).

Cheers

Post by **Chris_C** » 11 Dec 2006 05:17 pm

Hugh's done it... but then again, would you want to copy it

Post by **SteveP** » 11 Dec 2006 06:30 pm

I've read about the 360 cup guys using leaf spring assistors, don't know much about the, but they are supposed to be designed for towing use.

Post by **SoLaMaNdA** » 11 Dec 2006 06:59 pm

I've seen a device you can fit to coil overs for towing, not much use on a 360

Post by **5lab** » 11 Dec 2006 07:04 pm

my method works well?

yeah slip another spring in, underneath, then add a locating bolt. andy's got a drillbit

Post by **SteveP** » 11 Dec 2006 07:14 pm

http://www.springassisters.co.uk/Leaf%2 ... 20Page.htm

Dunno if these would be of any use?

Post by **classicswede** » 11 Dec 2006 09:38 pm

If you are only loading the car up with a resonable amount of weight then a pair of spax adjustables will do the job. If you are stuffing loads of weight in the back and/or towing then you have three choices 1) add part of another spring in (down side is without any load you will have a very hard ride and imo is not a very good way of doing it) 2) coil over dampers (down side minimum spring rate I can get in 80lbs iwich is a bit ott without any weight in the back - advantage is you can adjust to the amount of weight you have) 3) is uprated rear springs I am going to ge getting some made as the rear is a bit soft partly due to the constant weight of the fuel and tanks.

Post by **SoLaMaNdA** » 11 Dec 2006 10:51 pm

The load level is abit less than this for much of my driving, (70kg on the tow bar + 3-4 people).

Post by **classicswede** » 11 Dec 2006 11:10 pm

Have you thought of putting the bikes on the front to even the load out

No on a seriouse note just a set of spax would probably solve the worst of the problems tbh. When you are loaded up you could turn them up a bit stiffer to help. Lowering the front end would also help a little.
Idealy uprated rear springs are the answer. I'm not going to be doing mine for a few weeks (or reslisticly 2 months) but if you want to wait I could price up for having another set made.

To give you an idea of how much difference the spax have made I had to tup a 1" lowering block in to give the same ride height as it was with the originals.

Post by **redline** » 11 Dec 2006 11:36 pm

classicswede wrote:Have you thought of putting the bikes on the front to even the load out

Not very practical lol
but what about roof mounted bike racks so l the weight is spread over both axles and not just over the rear end

Post by **Chris_C** » 12 Dec 2006 12:41 am

5lab wrote:my method works well?

Just winding you up mate

Dai, how adjustable are the spax, how do you change them when they are fitted?

Post by **foggyjames** » 12 Dec 2006 12:52 am

The Volvo accessory method was a coilover which went in place of the standard shock. Cheeky...if you could make it work...

cheers

James

Post by **SteveP** » 12 Dec 2006 12:55 am

Chris_C wrote:how do you change them when they are fitted?

Theres an adjuster at the bottom of the shock that you can turn with a screwdriver from what it looks like...

Post by **volvorsport** » 12 Dec 2006 01:05 am

well if you want to make a coil over on the std shock , need to check your local gas/water piper stockists .

some motorbike springs would suit .

i have to say robin hood used to modify dampers like this , and they were totally and utterly useless for the job intended , i still think if you did the job properly would be a good idea .

Post by **SoLaMaNdA** » 12 Dec 2006 12:37 pm

I'll see how bad it is, not used the tow bar yet but as you can see from that photo, the bikes make a difference!

No way am I trusting a roof rack with our bikes