Posted by Clint Dixon [50.82.216.254] on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at 13:19:05 :
In Reply to: Re: Minimum Tire Clearance??? posted by CSCameron [75.171.71.193] on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at 10:30:10 :
The earlier trucks tended to have more leaves in the springs, but that did not equate to a higher capacity spring. The early individual tapered leaves were not as "stiff" as the later flat clipped ones.
My WDX with the early 14 pack of tapered leaves will set the frame pads on the axle housing with 3 ton of gravel on board. A full load of moist top soil will do the same thing although I never weighed that load. The springs are not flattened or weakened from age as the rear of my WDX has about an inch more rear wheel travel than any other later Power-Wagon I have owned and sits higher unloaded. The suspension is just that much more supple on the earlier trucks.
I have carried two full pallets of concrete landscaping blocks on my '51 B3PW. Never weighed it, but it did not squat nearly as much as the WDX as its springs are rated much heavier but with less leaves.
One may get by with mounting a flatbed a little lower on later trucks.
Junior