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

amreshmahapatra · 13th August 2009, 01:36

Hi,

Any CJ3B/CL340/Classic owners who have gone for this setup. Do comment on the cost, ride and off-road ability.

Sawyer · 18th August 2009, 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

Oh, there is a day-night difference in the on-road ride comfort. The bone jarring ride of the gypsy is tamed to a HUGE extent.

I will be getting the CFLS for the front also now -- have heard that the front one's have been thoroughly tested and now available for installation

I look forward to hearing about your feedback once you have them on all 4 corners - please do post, including details of how to obtain them. Thanks!

khan_sultan · 13th September 2009, 20:40

Vijay (swastikviji) had the FRONT CFL installed few days back. It already has the rear CFL for quite some time now (done ~8.5K Bangalore to Leh and back).

Vijay, Shakir (Sha) & self took Vijay's Gypsy out for a round of testing and we drove for some 20-25 Kms on very very bad roads, some gravel roads, over potholes in speed, in 4x4 mode, on wide open roads with 4 people on board.

Here are the preliminary observations:

The ride is VASTLY improved. No more bone jarring 'THUD THUD' over bad roads

The bounciness is again reduced to a GREAT extent

The handling is good and we did not feel any issues. We took sharp turns at speeds of ~70-80 with ease and at no point did the Gypsy felt unstable.

The front CFL's "feel" a lot lot better than the rear ones. (maybe due to increased weight up front)

They have no -ve effect on the flex/articulation of the Gypsy

Over bad roads/speed breakers, one could easily go over in speed and not have that typical Gypsy reaction.

We will be doing more tests and updating the observations here. Now will I get them for my Gypsy? You bet.!!! They are already on the way...

NOTE: All this is w.r.t ride/handling of a stock Gypsy. This will NOT make the Gypsy behave like a car.

headers · 14th September 2009, 06:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

NOTE: All this is w.r.t ride/handling of a stock Gypsy. This will NOT make the Gypsy behave like a car.

What should we do to make it behave like a car - Coil Overs ?

One more point of concern - Can we recamber the leafs to increase the GC?

khan_sultan · 14th September 2009, 09:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by headers

.. One more point of concern - Can we recamber the leafs to increase the GC?

The default camber of these CFL is as follows:

Rear: About 1-2 inches more than the stock metal leafs
Front: The front (metal ones) have a near -ver camber by default. The CFL have a default camber of ~3 inches

From what I understand, the camber will not degrade and will retain it default values over an extended period of time (~1L kms). That's what I have been told is also one unique property of this CFL.

fk7 · 14th September 2009, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

The default camber of these CFL is as follows:

Rear: About 1-2 inches more than the stock metal leafs
Front: The front (metal ones) have a near -ver camber by default. The CFL have a default camber of ~3 inches

From what I understand, the camber will not degrade and will retain it default values over an extended period of time (~1L kms). That's what I have been told is also one unique property of this CFL.

Hi khan_sultan,

The company is using your zuki pictures for their product.

Hi-Stabilized Composites Leaf Springs for Rock Ride Manufacturer exporting direct from Maharashtra India

I hope they have paid you some royalty

.

Can you please provide me with a contact number or email for buying one for my MM550.

Firoz

khan_sultan · 14th September 2009, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by fk7

Hi khan_sultan,

The company is using your zuki pictures for their product.

Hi-Stabilized Composites Leaf Springs for Rock Ride Manufacturer exporting direct from Maharashtra India

I hope they have paid you some royalty

.

...

OMG.!!! They seem to have flicked pictures from the 4x4 threads here.!!!!

Will write to them to get it removed as they have not taken my permission for the same. Thanks for pointing out.

Cheers,

swastikviji · 14th September 2009, 12:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

OMG.!!! They seem to have flicked pictures from the 4x4 threads here.!!!!

Will write to them to get it removed as they have not taken my permission for the same. Thanks for pointing out.

Cheers,

Why you want to remove the picture, instead we ask them to give us springs at 50% discount for all T-Bhpians shall i go ahead to find a good advocate to represent you.

Samurai · 14th September 2009, 12:52

Wish they had CF leafs for CJ340, I would buy it right away. Instead, I have to buy a new leaf set and send it to them for fabrication, experimentation, etc.

swastikviji · 14th September 2009, 12:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

Wish they had CF leafs for CJ340, I would buy it right away. Instead, I have to buy a new leaf set and send it to them for fabrication, experimentation, etc.

Hi Samurai,
You Will Get It within next 15 days, i already shown a CL 340 of My friend to ARC representitive he will arrange it.

Samurai · 14th September 2009, 13:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by swastikviji

Hi Samurai,
You Will Get It within next 15 days, i already shown a CL 340 of My friend to ARC representitive he will arrange it.

What? That's music to my ears.

But how do they pick the leaf spring camber? You can't recamber this right?

headers · 14th September 2009, 13:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

OMG.!!! They seem to have flicked pictures from the 4x4 threads here.!!!!

Will write to them to get it removed as they have not taken my permission for the same. Thanks for pointing out.

Cheers,

KS, you are not good in making money:

Quote:

Originally Posted by swastikviji

Why you want to remove the picture, instead we ask them to give us springs at 50% discount for all T-Bhpians shall i go ahead to find a good advocate to represent you.

Why only 50%?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

What? That's music to my ears.

But how do they pick the leaf spring camber? You can't recamber this right?

Right - you cant recamber them!!

ladak.imran · 22nd September 2009, 16:52

This CFLS business is becoming quite exciting!
Mr. Khan, any news w/r to your front springs?

I have a question - pardon me if i sound to silly, but can the springs be cambered (by the manufacturer, at the time of production) so as to give the vehicle a higher lift? i.e. more curvature.

If yes, then will it make the vehicle bouncier?
And will they become more prone to breakage?

Rohan Misquitta · 27th September 2009, 08:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladak.imran

This CFLS business is becoming quite exciting!

Mr. Khan,

Can i please have the contact details for them as i havent found them.

Thank You.

khan_sultan · 28th September 2009, 11:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladak.imran

This CFLS business is becoming quite exciting!
Mr. Khan, any news w/r to your front springs?

I have a question - pardon me if i sound to silly, but can the springs be cambered (by the manufacturer, at the time of production) so as to give the vehicle a higher lift? i.e. more curvature....

I have put in the front CFL's also. Will drive around and share the feedback.

@Imran: I don't know about that part. Best way would be to call up the manufacturer and ask.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rohan Misquitta

,... Can i please have the contact details for them as i havent found them....

Here is the website and has contact details mentioned there:

Feel Free to Contact Dr. Nano Inc - for Suspension Systems & Composite Spring Manufacturing Company,Maharashtra India

13th August 2009, 01:36	#76
amreshmahapatra BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 34 Thanked: Once	Hi, Any CJ3B/CL340/Classic owners who have gone for this setup. Do comment on the cost, ride and off-road ability.
	() Thanks

13th September 2009, 20:40	#78
khan_sultan Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Noida/Bangalore Posts: 4,946 Thanked: 6,469 Times View My Garage	Vijay (swastikviji) had the FRONT CFL installed few days back. It already has the rear CFL for quite some time now (done ~8.5K Bangalore to Leh and back). Vijay, Shakir (Sha) & self took Vijay's Gypsy out for a round of testing and we drove for some 20-25 Kms on very very bad roads, some gravel roads, over potholes in speed, in 4x4 mode, on wide open roads with 4 people on board. Here are the preliminary observations: The ride is VASTLY improved. No more bone jarring 'THUD THUD' over bad roads The bounciness is again reduced to a GREAT extent The handling is good and we did not feel any issues. We took sharp turns at speeds of ~70-80 with ease and at no point did the Gypsy felt unstable. The front CFL's "feel" a lot lot better than the rear ones. (maybe due to increased weight up front) They have no -ve effect on the flex/articulation of the Gypsy Over bad roads/speed breakers, one could easily go over in speed and not have that typical Gypsy reaction. We will be doing more tests and updating the observations here. Now will I get them for my Gypsy? You bet.!!! They are already on the way... NOTE: All this is w.r.t ride/handling of a stock Gypsy. This will NOT make the Gypsy behave like a car.
	() Thanks

14th September 2009, 12:52	#84
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 26,002 Thanked: 49,721 Times View My Garage	Wish they had CF leafs for CJ340, I would buy it right away. Instead, I have to buy a new leaf set and send it to them for fabrication, experimentation, etc.
	() Thanks

22nd September 2009, 16:52	#88
ladak.imran BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bombay Posts: 294 Thanked: 6 Times	This CFLS business is becoming quite exciting! Mr. Khan, any news w/r to your front springs? I have a question - pardon me if i sound to silly, but can the springs be cambered (by the manufacturer, at the time of production) so as to give the vehicle a higher lift? i.e. more curvature. If yes, then will it make the vehicle bouncier? And will they become more prone to breakage?
	() Thanks