Half-leaf rear suspension idea

[RaceProMarketing]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience trying half-leafs and coilovers. I'm thinking that's where I'm heading with my '83. The truck is about a 5/7 drop.

My thoughts are:
C-notch ... Half mono-leafs ... Coilovers ... A panhard bar mounted from frame to some random location on the rearend ... Adding a cross-member with shock brackets to mount the coilovers.

My reasoning:
I have the leafs, I have the panhard bar, I have tons of coilovers. I'd just need to get the right springs.

Any thoughts? Warnings or Do's or Don'ts?

[Mike C]

Forget the the name for a leaf only supported on one side, but you used to see them on off-road buggies. CalTrac sells a split leaf to use with their tracbar setup.

But link and coil over is a better way to go everyone has decided. A flexing link through the half spring is not as effective as rigid links and separate springs.

[09zkrankin]

search for 1/4 elliptical suspensions. they have been used quite a bit in off road rigs, but as was said above they just dont fuction as well as a solid link, and can produce some very quirky handling characteristics.

[andrewmp6]

Why not just 4 link it ?

[RaceProMarketing]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

Why not just 4 link it ?

Because I have everything in my shop except short coilovers to do it with half leafs. I've got brackets for the frame, J-bars, shocks, (may even have coilovers). Was just gonna use the leafs as a mounting point in the front, which in reality isn't much different than a 4-link deal.

[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by RaceProMarketing

which in reality isn't much different than a 4-link deal.

Except that 4 link bars don't bend or store potential energy like a leaf will. Half leaf is fine if you know what it will do. I don't know what your use for the truck is, just be aware that that spring setup will have an effect on axle movement in certain articulations.

IMO the others are just echoing the sentiment that a link setup has its advantages.

[RaceProMarketing]

I definitely see the advantages of the 4-link, but for the money, I'm not sure. My truck isn't a show truck; it's got a 5-7 drop and is my daily driver, so I'm just trying to get is dependable and smoother. The person who started the project did little to help the ride. ... No C-notch, no drop spindle or springs up front, so just about anything I do will improve the ride. I'm just trying to do it with what I have at the shop, so I'm not spending $1,000 on one thing, when I need to spend it on the front suspension and the overall dependability of the truck. Thanks for all the feedback. -RH-