Marlin 5" rear leaf not flexing

[mjos]

Hey all.   

I've installed a Marlin 5" lift (with the Betts springs) on my 79' PU.  The front flexes great but the rear leafs are far too stiff and pretty much don't flex at all.  I don't carry anything in my bed but a spare and hi-lift so there is no weight back there.  I tried breaking them in on a few trips with my ATV back there.  They flexed great then, but as soon as I ran it empty again...no flex.  I've put it on its side twice now since the rear is so stiff and it gets really tippy going downhill over off-camber stuff.

I see the spring rate is 220 on these.  Would taking the bottom leaf out the pack lower the spring rate?  I'm thinking I may need closer to 175 or so.  Any tips on making these perform?  My only other thought is to buy some custom Alcans or Deavers...but thats another $400 I don't really want to spend.  I'd rather get the ones I have to work, but right now they just won't compress.

Thanks

[jonathan82toy]

Start removing leaves and see how you like it. Many people do this if they don't have weight in the truck. Just remember they are built like that for a reason. Now you will have to battle axle wrap.....   

[skyscraper]

Remove leaves if you want to, thats what I did because I had the same exact problem.  But then all of a sudden they just flattened out and I ended up putting those leafs back in and they are perfect now.  Long story short, it takes awhile for the springs to break in.

[mjos]

The only leaf that isn't riveted in from the bottom is the very bottom leaf.  How would I remove the second leaf from the bottom?

[skyscraper]

Take the center pin out, and remove the leaf....

[mjos]

What about the big rivet that hold the spring clamp to the second to bottom leaf that I would want to remove though?  Would I just grind the rivet off and take the clamp off and then weld the clamp to the 3 leaf up now?  Will that weaken the spring by welding to it?

[mjos]

I found a good article on getting the rivet out and replacing it.

http://www.off-road.com/trucks4x4/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=186291

[axled89]

i had the same prob. with the six inche.   no weight makes it suck for a while but you'll like them when they break in.       

[hilux-1983]

i had the same prob. with the six inche.   no weight makes it suck for a while but you'll like them when they break in.       

Do you have a build thread? I'd like to see pics of the 6" marlins on your rig. I'm thinking about buying the 6"s too.

[axled89]

mine are allpro springs but they are 6's  and no i don't have any pics now. they are on my laptop and my wire less is down right now.   what i can do is get some fresh pics tomarrow.  and post them.  NO BUILD THREAD SORRY. OLD PROJECT and never got around to doing one.   the springs are pretty tall.

[axled89]

here's a couple of old pics.  before dual/cases /and front shaft was built.       hope this helps you decide.

[79coyotefrg]

What about the big rivet that hold the spring clamp to the second to bottom leaf that I would want to remove though?  Would I just grind the rivet off and take the clamp off and then weld the clamp to the 3 leaf up now?  Will that weaken the spring by welding to it?

welding on the springs will ruin them permanently

DO NOT WELD ON THESE SPRINGS

if you feel you must remove a leaf  remove the 3rd leav from the bottom,  i'm thinking the 3rd leave would not have the clamps on it

my suggestion is  put the atv back in the truck and maybe some more weight and save yourself alot of work

if you go on  trail rides like Rubicon you'll be carrying alot of weight,  full camping gear, water, firewood/charcoal, full size spare, hilift, spare parts,

it took my 5 inch front springs about 8 hard trail rides to break in

[mjos]

I took the 3rd from the bottom leaf out. Man what a difference. I flexed it out on the lift and the rear tire could now be lifted over 3ft and the fronts still stayed on the ground. Can't wait to try it out.  I kept the leaf in case the packs get too soft over time and I can add it back in.  Thanks for the suggestions.

[skyscraper]

You will definitely need to put that leaf in eventually so good thing you kept it.

[dopeassjackson]

my 5in springs didnt flex on my 86 runner after about 4months i took out the bottom two leafs.  it lowered the truck a bit but they flex a little more.  i still need about 300lbs of in the back to make things work well.

[BAMF]

I've got 5" Marlins with an extra leaf thrown in (11 total) in the rear of my 4runner.  I plan on running the 4runner with the top on and a lot of gear in the rear but for now it's topless.  The rears flex great but i've been told they can take up to a year to break in if you don't run them a lot.

[mjos]

I'm real happy with them now.  I didn't lift a single tire on my last wheeling trip.  It was like a different truck.  If they get too soft or flatten, I can always add the leaf back in.

[axled89]

good thing you kept it.

[hilux-1983]

I'm real happy with them now.  I didn't lift a single tire on my last wheeling trip.  It was like a different truck.  If they get too soft or flatten, I can always add the leaf back in.

Did you post a build thread at all? I looked and could not find it. Maybe I missed it, dang. That thing looks way nice.

[skinneykansas]

I am pretty sure if you take out the very bottom leaf you will be good.
I know a friend that had the same problem, then did that and they flex awesome now

[Plekto]

I'd leave it - give it 6 months and it'll flex nicely enough.

[mjos]

Did you post a build thread at all? I looked and could not find it. Maybe I missed it, dang. That thing looks way nice.

I never really had a build thread on this one.  I've just been upgrading it slowly trying to make it nice.  I just rebuilt the 22RE and added an Enginebuilder Cam.  It's been too cold to try it out lately.

Here is a little bit about the build on Rising Sun:

http://www.risingsun4x4club.org/forum2/showthread.php?t=9960

[hilux-1983]

Looks GREEEAAAATTTT! Got any updates, new pics?