rascalspringlift

Rascal spring lift...

Why dont we, well meaning me, learn by our own mistakes, especialy when it comes to doing cars up. To begin with this was meant to be a easy mod to do, well in itself it was except when I got stuck in I just had to get it done.

The thing I need to do more often is plan more ahead like what parts will be needed like brake caliper nipples, copper washers for the banjo`s on the brake pipes. What I am trying to say is plan ahead with all mods and you will enjoy them a lot more.

I know the rule of more leaf length more flex, but on the rear I just did it and it was to late once I had welded the plates on, never mind though as I am planning on "D" flex soon.

First of all I got some bedford rascal leaf springs, two pairs off two rascals, here they are to the zouk ones. they cost me £70.00 the set from a breakers which ain't to bad.

Other parts needed...

1 sqr foot of 4mm mild steel for the plates and new leaf nuts and bolts
U bolts full set, a set of extended dampers which I got from rhino central with the extended brake pipes, and nipples and any other parts that snap when trying to undo
and plenty of hamerite paint.
also leaf bushes maybe but mine were ok to re use.

Installation ...

The rascal springs are 960mm BC, these are longer than the front zouks at 906mm and shorter than the rear at 963mm, please dont take the measurements as I say as I was in a rush to get the job done.

I was to decide weather to make relocation plates or move the shackle mounts, now I should of used the top leaf of the rear zouk leafs to keep the lenght for more flex but I didnt, but I will live with that as I am to do "D" flex soon which will make up for the little loss of flex in using the shorter springs.

These are the relocation plates I made for the rear mounts, the front plates are similar, I welded these on, I had a mad thought like I do and made the plates a bit lower to see if it would give more lift and I think it did.

I set them 35mm below the original holes.

These are the front plates, I still need to weld in some plates to the front of the original mounts to make them stronger, you never know.When doing these mods with leafs you will need to keep the shackles when at rest vertical to give the max flex of the springs.

Doing these means you save on having to extend the shackle mounts, its best not have this on the front as i think they stick out to much for me.

Here are the rear in place, yes I just had to paint up the axle ect, just gives it that bit more.

What I need to do soon is add some prop spacers because when finished the rear axle had moved back by nearly 2" and left the splines out of the T-box a bit much.

I have tried it as is, and it is ok, but I dont fancy getting stuck with the prop hanging off.

The finished job ...

Well here is the finished job, realy it was easy but as I say just think ahead at what you will need and it will be done in half the time and with less stress.

To be honest I think it give it a good 3" lift, maybe this was with lowering the new mounting holes 35mm lower, I was going to measure the height before I did the lift but as being me I forgot like I do.

PRETTY CHUFFED WITH IT THOUGH.

Article credits ...

This article was written by Wayne Ollerenshaw, also known as "Wolly" on the Forum.

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