Composite Fibre Leaf Springs: Can they be used for off-roading?

[swastikviji]

Finally i got carbon fiber leafs for My 550 fitted and tested for 1 week you believe it are not i forgot all the bad things about the company sorry yar they sent wrong springs 3 times removing and again re fixing you know all the mess finally fed up with all this i simply removed my existing springs and sent to them they have taken 9 days to make and deliver to me oh god finally everything solved its very good compared to gypsy ride quality

[Gypsy-Boy]

Congrats Swastikviji on getting the composite leaf's.

Do post some pics of them both on the MM and Gypsy

GB

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by swastikviji

Finally i got carbon fiber leafs for My 550 fitted and tested for 1 week you believe it are not i forgot all the bad things about the company sorry yar they sent wrong springs 3 times removing and again re fixing you know all the mess finally fed up with all this i simply removed my existing springs and sent to them they have taken 9 days to make and deliver to me oh god finally everything solved its very good compared to gypsy ride quality

Viji, this sentence is so long, I forgot how it started by the time I finished reading it. In fact, I am not sure I understood the post. Also, since there is no fullstop at the end, I am not sure you have completed the sentence yet.

[MexXxentric]

Originally Posted by swastikviji

oh god finally everything solved its very good compared to gypsy ride quality

Vijay,
The comparison is with Gypsy having OE metallic leaf springs or the fiber ones?

Does the company manufacture for custom arch height (pardon me if I am using the wrong term).
If my gypsy is having a leaf spring re-cambered to increase the ride height. can I get this fiber leaf with same height?

[swastikviji]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Viji, this sentence is so long, I forgot how it started by the time I finished reading it. In fact, I am not sure I understood the post. Also, since there is no fullstop at the end, I am not sure you have completed the sentence yet.

Sorry Dr, (i am not using Sir) next time i make sure i read what i typed.

[Gypsy-Boy]

Met Swastikviji today and got to drive his gypsy.
Though I only went for a small drive, and the roads were unfortunately smooth (where are the bad roads when you are looking for them), the gypsy did feel very nice.
Now I guess the OTR test is the only test left.

[khan_sultan]

Originally Posted by Gypsy-Boy

....Now I guess the OTR test is the only test left.

It's already seen an OTR action and the composite fiber leafs performed great.

BTW, this same Gypsy with composite fiber leaf springs is on it's way to Leh/Laddakh right now and will be doing some 8,000 Kms of drive.

So we should expect another round of detailed feedback on these of how it behaved in different conditions.

IMHO, 8,000 kms to/fro drive from Bangalore to Leh/Laddakh is a good enough drive to get feedback -- would possibly cover all types of terrain.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

IMHO, 8,000 kms to/fro drive from Bangalore to Leh/Laddakh is a good enough drive to get feedback -- would possibly cover all types of terrain.

Particularly, if the return is via Spiti, there would be no room left for any doubt! The Gramphoo-Losar sector ought to be the best test. .... done at some speed, though ...

[sudev]

Leh drive - The temperature range will be additional test. I recall that many leaf springs crack in low temperatures due to steel becoming brittle.

I have not understood the theory of increased tire life...any one comment on that?

[Mpower]

Swastikviji, carbon fiber and fiberglass are two different things. Please clarify with pics what is it that you fitted.

Originally Posted by sudev

I recall that many leaf springs crack in low temperatures due to steel becoming brittle.

I have not understood the theory of increased tire life...any one comment on that?

Tire life of metal vs fiber glass leafs?? should be no change.

[khan_sultan]

Originally Posted by sudev

....I have not understood the theory of increased tire life...any one comment on that?

I also don't buy into that part -- I think that is some plain marketing lingo.

[4x4addict]

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

I also don't buy into that part -- I think that is some plain marketing lingo.

The only thing I can think of is that if the suspension is stiffer then the tire side walls take a bigger beating. However, if the suspension is softer it maybe easier on the side wall. But I think this only makes sense for the taxi market if they retread the tires so with less damage to the sidewall, they maybe able to have more retreads. However for people who dont retread the tires I don't think it makes any sense.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by sudev

I have not understood the theory of increased tire life...any one comment on that?

Increased tyre life because of the springs, or low temps?

[khan_sultan]

Originally Posted by Mpower

Swastikviji, carbon fiber and fiberglass are two different things. Please clarify with pics what is it that you fitted. ..

They are 'composite Fiber' leaf springs (whatever that means). People casually refer to them as carbon fiber leaf springs.

They are similar to this.




Cheers,

[desertfox]

A few off road friends in Dubai did order composite fibre leaf springs from Quadratech, USA and fitted them on Jeep Wrangler YJ vehicles.

So far they seem to be doing OK offroad. These guys go off road on an average at least twice a week.

ARB / Old Man Emu also have high performance, heavy duty leaf springs for Landcruiser ( old 70, 80 series ) but they are made of steel.