removing leaves for a softer ride?

just wondering- say you don't plan on carrying much, maybe only 2,500 pounds offroad and 5,000 pounds onroad. Is it feasible to remove some of the leaves in the spring packs for a smoother and more flexible ride? Anybody done it? About how much height can you expect to lose? Just toying with some ideas <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_approve.gif" alt="Approve">

after looking at the Millenium Reo project and seeing the springs in a cleaner condition it looks like some tricks might work on them.

Maybe take the packs apart and taper each leave more, maybe remove the bottom 1 or 2 leaves and insert teflon pads between the springs. I know they say the deuce doesn't have much suspension travel but I've seen pics, especially with single wheels, where it looks decent for a truck that big. I can only assume it could be made better at the expense of load carrying capacity. Also an old trick would be to either pry apart or install new spring pack holder so the leaves can expand more when articulated

I think I'll look into that when I get it <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_big.gif" alt="Big Smile">

MM;
Actually the shock seat makes the ride very pleasant everything considered. I'm not about to change anything concerning the suspension on my truck, just the padding in the seat to really make it comfortable. The other option is to run the tires at about 45 psi. Yep, the tires are a part of the suspension on these trucks. That's how you can deflate the tires to 15 psi and get out of the mud bogs<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_wink.gif" alt="Wink">.

I don't even have the spring seat in my trucks, I don't like them as they push my legs into the steering wheel. My trucks ride great even off road..of course not as smooth as my five tons.

I'm concerned mainly with articulation. Not that this thing's a rock crawler, but there's lots of dry gulleys and ditches and off camber hills and all that stuff here. I'd like to keep all the wheels in contact with the ground if possible without stressing the frame.

My truck'll have a shock seat though <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_approve.gif" alt="Approve">

MM;
The springs are designed for plenty of give. Check out Recovery 4X4's photos of his Deuce and Deuce type truck and you'll see what I mean.

MM;

Here's a pic of my deuce on a 30" rock<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_big.gif" alt="Big Smile">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v126/da_sgt/1969%20Kaiser%20M35A2/M35rock3.jpg" border="0">
She will walk right up with no problems<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_wink.gif" alt="Wink">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v126/da_sgt/1969%20Kaiser%20M35A2/M35rock2.jpg" border="0">
Think I would leave the springs as-is<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_.gif" alt="My 2 Cents">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v126/da_sgt/1969%20Kaiser%20M35A2/M35rock.jpg" border="0">

P.S. Just noticed that smiley in the first pic is coming right outa my stack<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_smokin.gif" alt="Smokin'">

I'll have to find it, but somewhere online there is a pic of a deuce that is in some serious terrain all twisted up with all the tires still contacting the ground.

sweet! that's not bad for a 13,000 pound truck with like 12 leaves in the stacks. I'll still see what I can do hehehehe

Here's the flex from the rears. Note the Jeep in the bed!!
<img src="http://images.yorkphoto.com/33%3B%3C585923232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D%3C65%3D757%3DXROQDF%3E232365243539%3Bot1lsi" border="0">

Fujinama!

Welcome to Steel Soldiers! <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_cool.gif" alt="Cool">

It is good to see that you got your signature completed, and another member in the Midwest! <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_thumzup.gif" alt="Thumb Up">

Send more pictures of your Deuce, it looks pretty good! <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_approve.gif" alt="Approve"><img src="speech/icon_speech_yes.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by fujinama

Here's the flex from the rears. Note the Jeep in the bed!!
<img src="http://images.yorkphoto.com/33%3B%3C585923232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D%3C65%3D757%3DXROQDF%3E232365243539%3Bot1lsi" border="0">

Click to expand...

holy articulation batman! I never thought a 2.5 ton 10 leaf pack could flex like that!

After having experienced it more, and testing it offroad some I may be inclined to just remove the smallest overload leaf, see if that helps any, also put some teflon pads between each leaf for queit operation.

What I found pretty neat was that the leaf packs aren't solidly connected to the rear axle, (didn't check the front), they are able to move up and down in that square mount hole