TOY: AOR Springs

[Ed Wong <ewong_kaizen@xxxxxxxxx>]

AOR is a "full service" spring supplier.
Ive *heard* that Alcan builds their springs, but AOR
takes care of the "details" in spec-ing out the
spring.

In case yer tempted to call Alcan directly - you
could, but be prepared to answer things like
 - the lenght of *each* leaf
 - the thickness of each lef
 - the number of leafs
 - position of each lef with respect to the center pin
 - arch of each leaf

AOR does lots of Toyota work. They know what has
worked and probably what does not. So some of what yer
paying for is to access that expertise.

AOR takes the time and energy to 
1 - explain how leaf springs work
2 - what your options are
3 - what the trade offs are
4 - warn you again if you insist on getting something
different
5 - makes shock recomendations
6 - discusses trade offs you have in terms of budget
7 - warns you again if you intend to "go yer own
route"
8 - gets yer springs for ya

I've use the following springs set-ups
 - OEM
 - OEM with 3rd leaf removed and racho "twin leaf"
soft ride add a leafs
 - custom Deaver / National "pre-runner" spring pack
 - AOR custom spring pack with front orbit eye (and
custom Bilstien 7100 10" travel shocks)

One caveat. Like most dez racer types, I consider
springs to be a WEAR item. (Ive got 335K on the odo)

AOR spings have an advantage becuase the springs are
LONGER. The weld on bracket is esentially a "mazda"
swap with a custom spring and a custom front eye.

Do AOR springs sag? I dunno. Mine settled about 0.5"
after the first month. They havnet sagged since. The
Deaver's only sagged because there was a *broken* leaf
in each pack (I overloaded em). I thought that those
were great springs. Other who rode in my truck thought
it was a buckboard. With the current AOR's I got a
stiff spring set up. So of course - stiffer springs
wont sag as much as "flexy" springs will.

I guess thats where the compalints may be comming
from. If you tell AOR (or any spring manuf) that you
want "rock buggy" flexy springs - they'll make em for
ya. If you then load the bed with a cord of firewood -
they'll sag or break.

IMHO - the laws of physics are hard to bend. To make a
spring flexy is to make it easier to sag/break under
abuse beyond its design parameters. Its hard to have
it both ways (w/o a sceondary suspension such as
helper airbags)

Similarly - mud bogger suspension is NOT a rock
crawler suspension. You have to find your own
realistic comprimise.

For me - that means that I got a far stiffer setup
(hauling DJ suff and daily driver first - off road
second and rock crawlin last) than most people would
want to get.

AOR is more than willing to make changes (swap out
leafs) to change the ride. But they cant read yer
mind. So if you tell em that ya want flexy dont yell
at em when the springs are soft - they're supposed to
be.

AOR has a "faster" response time than some of the Dez
shops.

Can you get cheaper springs elsewhere - sure can. 

Are the Rancho's lower in price - sure are.

Just look at the steel involved - 4 leafs versus 8+
leafs. Heck - its TWICE as much steel. So no wonder
AOR costs more.

One big drawback to the longer AOR springs - ya gotta
weld on a bracket. Me - I dont weld. Got a drag car
fab guy to do it for a few bucks. ("Lucky" does good
work - one of those - close yer eyes and weld it kinda
guys - has a long list of clients wait'n fer him to
build their car' cages - so I trusted his work)

IMHO - the guys at AOR took the time to discuss *my*
application and what I wanted to do and advise me on
what my options were. Then quickly built and delivered
the springs. They were willing to do post installation
followup as well (swap leafs). Did it cost more - yup.
Is it worth it? To me it was.

EWong

------

Maybe I missed an earlier post, but could you
elaborate on your 
experiences with AOR springs?

I am considering a new setup on my 85 4Runner and
these are one option.  
I am considering AllPro springs also, but there is a
lot of talk lately 
at Pirate4x4 about them sagging.  I don't want to buy
new springs every 
couple years.  The OME setup on my 4Runner currently
is holding up 
well, but I think I want to put it back on my pickup
and do something 
different with my 4Runner.

Your opinion (and anyone else) on the AOR springs
would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Allan 


>Date: Tue, 31 Jul 2001 05:10:22 -0700 (PDT)
>From: Ed Wong <ewong_kaizen@yahoo.com>
>Subject: TOY: Speedo gear blown /  AOR springs
>About AOR.. the springs are too stiff :) :)
>[Gee that would not have anything to do with the "I
>need a 1200lb carry capacity" request eh?]
>
>The AOR springs RULE. Even though they were built
>stiff BY REQUEST - they still have a smooth ride and
>articulate (as best as they can for the requested
>rate).
>One major bonus - loaded with DJ stuff- the rear end
>does NOT bottom out. But I can get the bump stops to
>"nudge" the stops if I "jump" the truck running the
>fire roads. Handles GREAT!
>
>EWong


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