Carmichael / Camel helper spring

[robertf]

Common sense would be to slap a set of OME springs in the back, but I want to give this a shot.

Camel discos used an inner helper spring like a Defender 130. What I know so far is that Carmichael fire engine company supplied the spring that they used off their 6 wheel drive range rover conversions. Finding more detailed info that that has been difficult. I picked up a 100 lb/in 4.4 OD x 14" length spring for this which I believe is close to the original spec.

based on what few screen shots I can find online I believe this is the setup. It is smaller diameter than the 130 stuff, so those parts won't get the job done.

 

[robertf]

I made up a set of dies and stamped out the buckets. Waiting on the 3/4" bar for the risers and locators to finish up a set.

 

[robertf]

Anyone with any hands on experience with this setup? Please chime in on what I've got wrong, lots of assumptions were made in the design.

 

[JUKE179r]

Try asking over at https://www.defender2.net/forum/

The lads there should be able to sort you out.

 

[ERover82]

Nice work and visuals. Is this for a CT replica truck? I assume you've seen X-eng's X-spring. Have you tried the CT club for more info?

 

[robertf]

Good suggestions.

Yes I have been in touch with members of the CT club. About a decade ago someone made replacements in the UK and posted it on their forum, but all the photo hosting websites that held the images have vanished.



I was told the upper spring perch looks more like a scaled down defender 130 helper perch. A couple days ago I finally found a good shot showing an original.


I knocked out an aluminum set of stamping dies this afternoon. Didnt have any steel but wanted to try something this weekend. Once I get some longer dowel pins and clamping bolts I'll test it out.

 

[robertf]

success, now just waiting on the steel to arrive for the locators/standoffs

 

[discostew]

Is the goal to hold more weight while keeping the ride of a lighter spring when not loaded?
You’ve got a really nice backsplash on your work bench. I like it.

 

[robertf]

 

[robertf]

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[robertf]

put one side together to see how it all fits.

Im finding out the original upper seat is a modified 130 seat, which has an OD larger than the disco spring ID. this ends up acting like a 5/8" spring spacer. I made this upper spring seat 120mm, which is as big of an OD that will fit through the factory spring if the isolator is omitted.

The truck had a 40mm spacer under the rear springs and NRC4305 up front. maybe sat a little low in the back

With this setup it sits about .25 lower than with the 40mm spacer

Ill be redoing the upper mount at the larger OD to allow the isolator. That should bring the rear up .75" over the 40mm spacer setup.

 

[robertf]

heres a camel disco rear spring. I believe this is a pre facelift truck so its a different rear spring, but you can still see the air gap near the top of the spring from being spaced down

 

[robertf]

larger size, needed a bigger welding jig

 

[robertf]

first trial, second trial, 130 stuff

 

[robertf]

one side down

 

[robertf]

Rides like a slightly softer 762. It doesn't feel like shopping cart suspension when driving over speedbumps like OME, but the body roll is way down.

before with the 40mm spacer, and after