Watch this BEFORE buying parabolic springs. are they good? (spoiler: no)

MAB shop - selling a limited range of landcruiser and camping parts
mabinnovatio...
I AM NOT ASSOCIATED WITH TERRAIN TAMER OR THEIR RESELLERS IN ANY WAY - This video is 100% independent.
In this video, I fit heavy duty #parabolic #leafsprings to my 76 series. These are combined with low profile U bolt plates from #Superior Engineering.
The #springs are not as good as I'd expected, but it'll do for now. Proper testing to happen in the next #travel video.
In my opinion, from my previous experience as a #4x4 (and #6x6) design #engineer, there have been some reclassifications related to these springs to cover testing faults. The two-leaf one helper #parabolics used to be rated "up to 500kg", and then reclassified as "up to 300kg". It would seem this was due to sagging at heavy loads (300 to 500kg). The result is the HD versions are a claimed "300-700kg", but seem to be extremely stiff with my ~400kg setup. In my opinion, they are 500-700kg springs, but the rating is adapted to bridge the gap. The more you load these, the better they will be, but at the moment they are much too stiff under 500kg constant load. They are also much thicker than the 400kg springs I removed, which is not so good.
I believe this video is the only one available that is not "associated with terraintamer" in one way or another, and as such is a fully independent opinion. I have nothing against #Terraintamer, and think they make good products in general.
PERSONAL SUGGESTIONS:
If you are carrying 300-500kg in your car, stick with regular leaf springs. They are thinner, and save your ground clearance. Only use Parabolic springs if you are above or below this range.
These springs are TLC034HDP
Comment below, subscribe, and share around if you like it.
See troopy build episodes here:
• Buying a 78 series lan...
See 4x4 track and camping videos here:
• Snowy mountains 4x4 Ca...
See some 76 series modifications and build ideas here:
• How to upgrade your sw...
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[@tomking4495]

Mate you know nothing about suspension especially parabolics, you have no idea

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

Who hurt you Tommy? Were the awkward stares too much? Why not say the bits you don't like and we can figure out why you're wrong 😂

[@FRERABRETZ1]

don’t you dare be mean to Tommy he knows truck and spanners.

[@jordankaraka897]

Tommy is not wrong but please explain why the thickness of the leaf would change height of the car? The diff is on top of the leaf 😂

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

@jordankaraka897 another one! Welcome. Ride height is not the same thing as ground clearance

[@johncunningham4820]

@@ridiculousthings4x4. Actually , your Tyre Diameter is the Major ground clearance improver/detractor . But in reality the Lowest part of the Car is the Diff " Pumpkins " .

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

Excuse the crap soudwork at around 4:24 as I got a copyright warning from George Micheal for about 7 seconds of music... I had to use KZbin's crap in-built editor to clear it.

[@theacreelife]

So what is the verdict after doing some off-roading? Are the parabolic springs any good? Or are you going to go back to a standard style leaf pack?

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

Stick to standard style unless you modify the parabolics like I have

[@anbu999]

Do you need to fit in shorter rear shocks ? High clearance U-bolt plate and parabolic combo raise the rear shock mount for quite a bit.

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

Short answer is no, you don't need shorter shocks. Parabolic springs are actually thicker for the 76, so you lose ground clearance. This is why I mention that there may have been some engineering classification shortcuts during production, as the 2 load 1 helper parabolics used to be rated 300-500kg now changed to "up to 300kg". The 300-700kg HD springs are 10mm thicker which is covered in the video when compared to 400kg OME springs. I've since removed the lower helper spring because I don't really load my car more than this, and even with the 3 parabolic laod springs, I've only saved about 5mm when compared to the OME ones.

[@simonhjc]

I soent a lot of money over the years on all this stuff. Always flund there was an “oppertunity cost” to it. So now i keep everything standard and if i do suspension its a 1inch lift max and drive the cruiser accordingly. Love your videos as they are different to the others trying to sell sponsered product 👍

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

Everyone's different. I set my car up to deal with the driving I want to do.

[@simonhjc]

@@ridiculousthings4x4 exactly. Also within your budget and off road style eg overlanding v off roading or a balance of the 2. Theres so much “stuff” out there today it can be a minefield

[@barcrusher]

Boring

[@TUFFenuf4cruisin]

Great video thanks mate

[@davefinlay3252]

You're a ripper mate Hope this channel blows up

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

me too! Thanks for the support

[@konradmoskal4138]

Haha wheel spacers. Doesn't look too different on the flex test. I love my parabolics in my setup. The U-bolt plate will make the biggest difference. I was recommended long travel shocks with the parabolics not sure if the BP-51's would have the travel?

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

I guess the good thing about the HD is that I can remove a leaf and I've got the 300kg and below springs. I might go down this route, depending on how the next trip goes, considering I'm not running rear bump stops, and it doesn't get close to the guard. I'll have to consider shocks next after I've tested it properly. I need to see where my limiters are.

[@rogercole9942]

I like your style. Does it ride more smoothly? My 300kg westralia parabolics are in the shed and I am using 450kg dobinsons. Do not miss the long lower leaf scrapes in the dirt. I'd like someone to make regular affordable leaf packs that are a bit longer. This seems common in Japan. Here it looks like custom or psr 4" lift poop is the only option. Collecting leaf springs is fun.

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

I've only done road driving since fitting them so far. It feels more like coil springs on road though. The next trip will be the decider for me, but I'm toying with the idea of removing the lowermost spring which should retain most of the load carrying but allow much more articulation

[@davefinlay3252]

@@ridiculousthings4x4 tried this bro, doesn't work as it just sits on the helper and makes the ride worse :-(

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

@@davefinlay3252 by lowermost spring, I mean the bottom spring/helper. The one with the brackets on it. Since this video, I've removed that spring and it flexes like it's supposed to.

[@arwinmega7049]

Untuk land cruiser FJ 40 ada gak..

[@davefinlay3252]

Hey boss I've got a fairly light dual cab setup and have tried the 2 leaf and helper arrangement in my parabolics which is even shyter than the original 4 leaf cause it just rides on the helper, question is do u reckon your hectic 3 leaf no helper arrangement wouldn't be too lightly sprung in the dual cab? Cheers!

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

If you're as loaded as you plan to be and it's not riding on the bottom spring, then you'll probably benefit from removing it. Although hard to say for sure in the comments section. Although. If it's a "fairly light" setup as you described it. You might be better with 2 leafs and nothing else.

[@davefinlay3252]

@@ridiculousthings4x4 Thanks man I'll shuffle them around and report back!

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

@@davefinlay3252 I only just saw which video this comment was on. You probably already know, but I made a more up to date one detailing the final parabolics setup. This one is all kinds of outdated cringe for me.

[@wozandnic]

Are you going to upload the video of removing the bottom helper spring and give a review? I can't decide on whether to get the 3 leaf or 4 leaf and then just remove the 4th helper? I'm running a fairly light Troopy build, usually empty and 300-400kg when camping

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

Nope, but it might be worth just getting the heavier spring and removing one. Like in machining, you can take material away if it's there but you can't put it back if it's not.

[@richardweston9443]

So refreshing to get a well-eddited Australian video with great content and humor. Remain humble...love your work.

[@Uberkreig]

Any plans for the front axle articulation?

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

I'm pretty happy with the front actually. See my other video about getting flex. Removing sway bars made it how it should be. Later I might get into bump stops and extended shocks though. Depends how greedy I get

[@kimbullock475]

Hi mate.. What rear bar do you have on there.? Cheers.

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6qqfGSQrrJlo9U

[@dannyrosewood9661]

Ive run 700kg TT parabolics on my landcruiser for 3 years along with BP51's and I consider them an outstanding upgrade.

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

Different applications. You've got a well set up towing rig by the sounds of it. I wanted flex, which yours won't do due to bp51s being relatively short, and the springs being stiffer under load.

[@philippemariloussian5218]

I don’t really like the open shape of the low leaf acting as a fork to catch any wood or else off-road.

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

Agreed. I'm considering removing the bottom one to see what happens. Although the OME springs also have this to an extent At full droop

[@DeejayManii]

what height were the parabolics? 2 inch?

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

Yup. TLC034HDP

[@DeejayManii]

@@ridiculousthings4x4 I'm looking for a 3 inch version 😩

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

@@DeejayManii Not many guys would say that. I guess you could get away with it if you added some extended shackles, although the local pork doesn't seem to like those.

[@konradmoskal4138]

@@DeejayManii dobinsons do a 3 inch for the 79

[@grantkerr2971]

final tension of components particularly shackle bushes and shock bushes are performed when vehicle is on the ground supporting its own weight.

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

If the bushes are rubber, sure. But poly/rotating bushes it doesn't make a difference. Nice try though

[@wizzylizzy69]

The rear isn’t the problem my friend. Need radius arms in the front, from your best mates, and then it will flex pretty good.

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

I hate to disagree with you Wade, but currently the front can droop to the end of shock travel, and tuck to the bump stops. It's the rear that struggles to articulate by comparison.

[@wizzylizzy69]

@@ridiculousthings4x4 you are thinking about it all wrong man. Trust me, throw some superior arms in the front and you won’t lift wheels like you do.

[@Oliver-yt2bc]

Messing with the leafs will only get you so far, if you want flex then you need to change the shocks, take them out go full axle bump and droop and measure open and closed lengths for new shocks

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

In some cases maybe, not this case. Suspension isn't a one shoe fits all ordeal. The low profile U bolt plates move the lower shock mount up an inch, meaning if I wanted longer shocks I'd have to open the can of worms that is extended bump stops. There would be no real benefit here.

[@Oliver-yt2bc]

Yeah I get what you’re saying but if you find shocks that suit your open and closed lengths you will be able to find some that have a closed length which works with your current bump stops and that have a longer open length for more droop

[@GR8Tmate]

Coil Conversion will help with flex 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@snakesnake6799]

Ok why did you go with 700 kg ones and not the 500 kg . you will get better flex with them.

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

Because 500kg ones don't exist. They were reclassified as "up to 300kg" and the HD is 300-700 now.

[@snakesnake6799]

@@ridiculousthings4x4 ok .

[@madcat4563]

Nice Half-life (1) edit. Interested to hear your thoughts on the parabolics. Would like to have a set fitted, but they are bloody expensive. (Especially if you're not from Australia, so stock gets imported.) The price of two almost covers the cost of a 2 inch lift from terrain tamer for a 76 series (minus the leafs of course). Enjoy watching your videos.

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

Honestly, they're not worth it. I've managed to get mine to a good level of flex now, but not with how they are out of the box. I've removed the lowermost spring (you can see in my covid pisstake vid) and added revolver shackles. But if you just fit them and forget, you'll end up losing a lot of articulation, ground clearance, and 0 weight reduction

[@keniferusxj7047]

All you need to do is a leaf spring flip…longer shackles so you achieve a 45 degree angle then you’re good…you won’t get axle wrap with the flip…

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

Not trying to be intentionally rude, but comments like this saying really terrible ideas as fact are the reason there are so many terribly done 4x4s around. Please stop learning from Facebook and forums.

[@monocogenit1]

Those arb yellow bushes are garbage. Way to soft. They deform very easily and allow the leaf pack to move around.

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

Seems fine to me, and I abuse them more than most

[@user-vb1uw6kj4g]

Get bogged and ask Toyota why??

[@braydeny]

Joke

[@ggbogo935]

buys a top heavy vehicle then proceeds to bitch about vehicle being top heavy and rolling over

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

I don't think this happened in the video

[@stryacunttss7748]

just get a nissan

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

Careful, you'll trigger the fan boys. And we know what they're like...

[@fotonomad69]

When ego & self gratification exceeds informative value or likelihood of a subscription. Good jacking skills though.

[@ridiculousthings4x4]

I'm not sure why anyone watches my old videos, but no loss either way

[@fotonomad69]

@@ridiculousthings4x4 Trying to learn about the subject eluded to, but only learnt, regardless of how old this may be, you’re only interested in flexing yourself. Good long stroke.