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Re: Clay’s Wedgewood Blue FB Ute

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2021 6:54 pm
by Errol62
I was on borrowed time riding on these babiesImage

FB ute driver, EK van project


Re: Clay’s Wedgewood Blue FB Ute

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2021 7:39 pm
by ardiesse
Yep. That's about normal. Would have been quite creaky in the rear.

Rob

Re: Clay’s Wedgewood Blue FB Ute

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 5:00 pm
by 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.ImageImage

FB ute driver, EK van project


Re: Clay’s Wedgewood Blue FB Ute

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 5:09 pm
by 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


Re: Clay’s Wedgewood Blue FB Ute

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 5:14 pm
by Errol62
Have to decide whether to use commercial or sedan axle mount rubbers. Not sure why they were different. Sedan left, ute right.Image

FB ute driver, EK van project


Re: Clay’s Wedgewood Blue FB Ute

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 8:10 pm
by 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


Re: Clay’s Wedgewood Blue FB Ute

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 8:38 pm
by 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

Re: Clay’s Wedgewood Blue FB Ute

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 8:42 pm
by FJWALLY
Errol62 wrote:Have to decide whether to use commercial or sedan axle mount rubbers. Not sure why they were different. Sedan left, ute right.Image

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 - niceImage


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Re: Clay’s Wedgewood Blue FB Ute

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 10:14 pm
by Errol62
Just as you say Rob. But why should they complicate things. More durable?

FB ute driver, EK van project


Re: Clay’s Wedgewood Blue FB Ute

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2021 6:29 am
by FJWALLY
Errol62 wrote: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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Re: Clay’s Wedgewood Blue FB Ute

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2021 6:33 am
by 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

Re: Clay’s Wedgewood Blue FB Ute

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2021 6:50 am
by 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?
Harv wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 6:33 am 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

Re: Clay’s Wedgewood Blue FB Ute

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2021 8:51 am
by Errol62
Got two sets of commercial springs here. Both have six leaves.Image


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

Re: Clay’s Wedgewood Blue FB Ute

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2021 9:28 am
by 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

Re: Clay’s Wedgewood Blue FB Ute

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2021 11:24 am
by 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.ImageImageImage

FB ute driver, EK van project