Can I Modify My Leaf Springs for Increased Truck Payload Capacity?

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Modifying leaf springs to increase truck payload capacity involves careful consideration of spring rate and load distribution. Adding two or three additional leafs is common, but placement is crucial to maintain the suspension's triangular shape and integrity. Overloading the main leaf can jeopardize its performance, so ensuring it can handle the maximum load is essential. Alternatives like an overload leaf or air lift systems can provide support without compromising ride quality. Proper design practices and calculations should be followed to ensure safety and functionality.
AM1990
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Hi.
If I am going to increase pay load on a truck (within front and rear axle capacity). It is supposed to modify or add leafs in semi-elliptical leaf spring. I want to know what should be the max considerations for doing so?
Just adding some leafs in suspension can fulfill the requirement?
or there would be any design practice/calculation that should be followed?
 
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when you add a leaf you are adding spring rate, just make sure the main leaf can taker your max load..typically we add a spring leaf of length in between the current leafs and only add two or three leafs, more than that make jeaporidize the main leaf
 
Ranger Mike said:
when you add a leaf you are adding spring rate, just make sure the main leaf can taker your max load..typically we add a spring leaf of length in between the current leafs and only add two or three leafs, more than that make jeaporidize the main leaf

I am willing to add 2 leaves in total but I am confused where to put them. As it is obvious that a leaf suspension looks like triangular shape, so I am not sure its triangularity would be affected of not? If so then what would be the result? or shall I need to modify other leaves too to maintain its shape?
 
can you post a photo or drawing so we can see the " triangle"...
 
Ranger Mike said:
can you post a photo or drawing so we can see the " triangle"...
Ranger Mike said:
can you post a photo or drawing so we can see the " triangle"...
IMG_20151207_092206_424.jpg
IMG_20151207_092214_024.jpg
Might be these picture could help you also term "triangle" is just used for reference as it has a uniform shape that looks like a "triangle".
 
AM1990 said:
I am willing to add 2 leaves in total but I am confused where to put them. As it is obvious that a leaf suspension looks like triangular shape, so I am not sure its triangularity would be affected of not? If so then what would be the result? or shall I need to modify other leaves too to maintain its shape?
This is the reason it is a "triangle"
http://www.engineersedge.com/material_science/leaf-spring-design.htm

Instead of adding leaves, investigate adding an overload leaf, such as seen in the picture at the bottom.
http://www.torklift.com/index.php/blog/tags/listings/overload-leaf-springs?format=feed&type=rss
That way your ride is not affecting until you have the very heavy loads you wish to carry.
 
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