Clay’s Wedgewood Blue FB Ute

[Errol62]

I was on borrowed time riding on these babies

FB ute driver, EK van project

[ardiesse]

Yep. That's about normal. Would have been quite creaky in the rear.

Rob

[Errol62]

Creaky 't was.

Rough trial fit up of lowered spring has me somewhat concerned. I didn't bother fitting bushes so will gain maybe 10mm on the mock up. Currently about 50 mm to bump stop. The spring is pretty well flat.

FB ute driver, EK van project

[Errol62]

Looking back to when I loaded the rear and took some measurements, I'm reassured somewhat as it appears to be about the same, equating to 2" lowering. I'm going to add an additional leaf from the Ute springs on the bottom. The aim is to keep the ride height setting and slightly stiffen the spring rate so I can carry selected cargo like beer and loose wimmen, well maybe the kids and dog at least.

FB ute driver, EK van project

[Errol62]

Have to decide whether to use commercial or sedan axle mount rubbers. Not sure why they were different. Sedan left, ute right.

FB ute driver, EK van project

[Errol62]

No, sedan right, ute left.

If I trim the bump stops l should achieve 75mm clearance. Wonder if the powers that be would be satisfied. Doesn't look that low really although the tyre is buried up in the guard.

FB ute driver, EK van project

[ardiesse]

There'd be a couple of differences between sedan and commercial rear spring rubbers - I reckon the sedan ones would be thicker, with more holes in them, so "squishier", more compliant. The commercial ones would be thinner, with fewer holes, so stiffer. Ride quality not a concern with commercials.

One trick I've seen done with lower-rate springs is to assemble the spring onto the car with the rear shackle inverted. It'd be equivalent to about 1-1/2" lift.

Or you could track down a pair of station wagon rear springs.

Rob

[FJWALLY]

Have to decide whether to use commercial or sedan axle mount rubbers. Not sure why they were different. Sedan left, ute right.

FB ute driver, EK van project

I wondered what the go was there when I changed my springs - luckily found a good set of sedan brackets and rubbers from rares were sedan also - nice


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[Errol62]

Just as you say Rob. But why should they complicate things. More durable?

FB ute driver, EK van project

[FJWALLY]

Just as you say Rob. But why should they complicate things. More durable?

FB ute driver, EK van project

Could it be a flex issue - ie the thicker spring pack of the commercials behaved differently with the thicker rubber?


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[Harv]

Interesting.

Up to FC, the commercials had the same insulator as the sedans/wagons. From FB onwards, sedans/wagons and commercials had separate insulators (7412388 and 7414876) and retainers (7412389 and 7414877). No difference in the mounting plate or hardware, other than different length u-bolts to deal with the different spring packs.

Sedans got the 7414283 spring pack (four springs, numbers 1-4), wagons got the 7412386 spring pack (five springs, numbers 1,2,3, 5 and 6) whilst commercials got the 7419193 spring pack (five springs, numbers 1-5). The springs themselves (numbers 1 through 6) are shared between all three models, so unlikely that the insulator was different just to suit a special commercial spring. Guess it is probably just a heavier-duty rubber/plate.

Cheers,
Harv

[FJWALLY]

The sedan bracket is actually heavier duty the the commercial bracket - thats the only reason I looked to replace mine as the brackets were badly corroded in the ute - the sedan ones also seamed to have a bit more rubber at the sides so as Rob says above maybe it was a ride quality improvement they just didn't bother with for the commercials?

Interesting.

Up to FC, the commercials had the same insulator as the sedans/wagons. From FB onwards, sedans/wagons and commercials had separate insulators (7412388 and 7414876) and retainers (7412389 and 7414877). No difference in the mounting plate or hardware, other than different length u-bolts to deal with the different spring packs.

Sedans got the 7414283 spring pack (four springs, numbers 1-4), wagons got the 7412386 spring pack (five springs, numbers 1,2,3, 5 and 6) whilst commercials got the 7419193 spring pack (five springs, numbers 1-5). The springs themselves (numbers 1 through 6) are shared between all three models, so unlikely that the insulator was different just to suit a special commercial spring. Guess it is probably just a heavier-duty rubber/plate.

Cheers,
Harv

[Errol62]

Got two sets of commercial springs here. Both have six leaves.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[62ekute]

my EK workshop manual says

three types of rear springs are used in production, a four leaf spring on Models 215 and 225, a six leaf spring on Models 219 and 229, and a six leaf spring of higher load carrying capacity on Models 2104 and 2106

and ... the rubber insulators used on Models 2104 and 2106 are thinner

[Errol62]

Went to trailer supplies this morning. Didn't have any U bolts or shackles to suit. I have a collection of these so will choose the best, clean up and reuse. Maybe run a die over the threads and get new nuts.

Trip wasn't totally wasted. Apart from a nice long driving lesson for Raff, sourced clutch kit. 220mm plate to replace 200mm, fits in the bellhousing with about 2mm clearance. This will go off with the flywheel for balancing.

FB ute driver, EK van project