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-   -   Composite Fibre Leaf Springs: Can they be used for off-roading? (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-technical/54767-composite-fibre-leaf-springs-can-they-used-off-roading-17.html)

For regular use ^^ is good enough. Go for it and if you getting into heavy offloading carry the oe springs, just in case. But IMHO they are quite ok.

Uploading pics of the latest CFL with design changes. Purchased in April 2011.
I plan on installing them in June 1st week.

Pics are resized to 1024pi. I forgot to zoom to 55mm in all the closeups except the group shot so please bear with the wide angle distortion of lines and proportions.

The parts are marked for driver side and "cleaner" side ... So that makes any pretty lass that sits next to me the official cleaner :uncontrol!!

--Ragul

PS: Can somebody label the brackets and smaller bits indicating where they will go with the help of a pic?

So are the wider ones for the rear and the smaller ones for the front or is it vice versa. Did you pay 14k per set with bill or without bill?

Wider ones are for rear. The front width is constrained by available space is what I was told. I need to check if the document I got courierd with the transport waybill was a bill. In any case you can see the guarantee card tied to the CFLs - I was assured I would be provided the Guarentee/warranty without bill thanks to the card.

--Ragul

Hey Ragul,
Thanks for uploading these pics.
The OEM front leaf springs in Gypsies are almost flat and based on the usage, the spring camber goes negative.
But these ones have a good camber. Would give very good lift in my opinion.
Have you fitted these on your vehicle already? How is the ride quality now?
Cheers,
Deepak

Not yet. Waiting to get my vehicle back form repairs this week. 1st or 2nd weekend of June most likely as the wheel problem has only just been acknowledged by MASS.

Which is the best garage to get this done in Bangalore North/East side?
I also need a garage with pneumatic drill facility as I need left side mirror attached plus got some holes to make in the floor. Not all garages have it.

Thanks
--Ragul

Damn!! I wasn't looking for any kind of body lift as I don't like the Gypsy's I have seen with a lift. Strongly prefer mine to remain in stock height really. Now what?!! I want the ride comfort but not the height. :eek:

I think these were made for off-roaders who want to raise their body and improve the AoA?

Let me call up Dr. Nano if they have a different and flatter design. Judging from the pics, how many inches do you guys think these will "uplift" my ride?

--Ragul

If you want ride comfort, go for gas shocks with existing stock leaf setup. They improve the ride leaps!!

Infact, I have a set lying somewhere....:I Rule:

I saw Monroe shocks as the stock ones on my Gyspy when I lifted it up once for a check. Arent these Gas shocks? Or does Monroe make oil shocks as well?

Which ones do you have btw?

--Ragul

Peddars, if i remember right.
Vikram, please share the secret behind your suspension setup, will ya? :D

Monroe does not make Gas Shocks anymore. This was informed to me by Shetty Motors, Mumbai and they said only the OEM shocks are available for the gypsy. Now i dont know whether the OEM is manufactured by Monroe.

and yep, Vikram had Peddars when i asked him at TPC last year and he said it was super comfort with those but then he got it changed i guess. Please confirm Vikram Saar. :)

Hey guys,

I had Peddars Gas dampers on all 4 ends until 2009. I have used the Gypsy [MG413W - carb] extensively on the highways and it handles like a dream - its point and shoot. Could do a slalom at 80 kph and hold [i was running Pirelli Scorpion 215/75 R15 then]

I could manage to do offroad too and I honestly had no complaints until I wanted to mimic other vehicles that I saw perform offroad.

Started my experiments - the anti roll bar came off, next was a custom shackle that failed, recambering of leaves, adding leaves, install brand new leaves all around, etc to manage a decent setup finally.

The Peddars came off because of my leaf setup wherein i wanted more lift and articulation - I have currently used bolero shocks at all 4 ends.

If you guys want excellent on road mannerisms and decent offroad capability, I would recommend Gas dampers!

So which one would be better, CFLs or Gas Shocks. What advantages / disadvantages would one have over the other? Sorry if this has already been addressed somewhere else.

In a lighter vehicle like SWB Jeep or Gypsy, most of the work should be done by the leaf springs and the shocks should only eliminate the residual harmonics and not interfere with the primary action of the leaf. I remember hearing this from Jammy long time back. That means CFL is the way to go.

Thanks for the detailed post Vikram.
Just one question, how is the ride quality now with the Bolero shocks?
Since a Bolero weighs close to twice a Gypsy, having these shocks on Gypsy would mean a very stiff ride, i presume.
So, what is the benefit of having these on?
Cheers,
Deepak