Re-arching and add-a-leaf: a cheaper option for new 4x4 springs?
With the original springs on myrecently purchased ’86 Landcruiser 60-series showing all 21 years of use, I knew it was time to repair or replace all four packs before setting out on any spring-time adventures. The rear was sagging badly, and the fronts weren’t much better. My new 33″ BFG’s still fit in the wheel wells, but without a whole lot of clearance.
While I’d like to tackle a project like this myself, these days I lack the space, tools, and time needed to get the job done without excessive cursing and bloodied knuckles. So rather than subject myself and others (wife) to undue stress, I decided to look around for someone to do the job for me. It was a good decision.
I called a few suspension shops and got some estimates for ARB Old Man Emu (OME) spring packs. OME’s come highly recommended by off-roaders the world over, and are quite possibly the best after-market springs available for 4×4′s. But the best price I could get for parts and labour would have worked out to close to $3000. Perhaps a fair price, but more that I wanted to pay.
Simply put, I’m cheap. Or rather, my disposable income is severely restricted (diapers and mortgage payments are apparently higher priorities). So I need to economize my hobbies as much as possible.
One thing I like about 4Wheeling is the option of doing things either a) on your own or b) on the cheap, with sometimes better than expected results. In some ways, this is the point of owning an older, rugged, utilitarian vehicle and pursuing a hobby that encourages vehicular repairs and modifications perhaps a little more often than most.
So rather than opt for the high-end OME solution, I decided to hunt around for a local (and less expensive) alternative. I opened the phone book and within minutes came across the aptly-named Victoria Spring Ltd. In a 5 minute phone conversation, I told them my situation and they had what seemed like a great recommendation.
“We can re-arch and balance the stock springs, replace all the hardware, and install add-a-leafs all around for about $800. It will give you another 500-600 lbs carrying capacity and lift the truck about 2 inches over stock.” It sounded like a perfect solution, given my goals and budget.
I dropped my truck off a couple days later, and as I type this my Landcruiser is on the hoist having the stock springs re-arched and the add-a-leafs installed (see pics). It’s also getting two new rear main springs, as one wasshattered (both should be replaced at the same time).
How will this solution perform compared to installing all new spring packs, and how long will it last? It’s tough to say. I’ve read that re-arched springs can sag slightly within a year or two, while others have been driven on for five or more years with no degradation in ride height or performance. Time will tell.
It will take a few months to fully evaluate the new springs, and that’s exactly what I’m planning: a full evaluation with photos and updates as the miles pile on.
