Shocks for parabolics

neikeel · Jul 18, 2023

Who makes decent 2 leaf rear parabolics (or the best 3 leaf with one a helper when heavily loaded) that people have used?

When I restored my '72 SWB Station wagon approx 15 years ago I used TI console parabolic springs (2 leaf front and rear) and Koni shocks - great combination perfect for me.
Although one of the rear springs snapped and leaf after 5 years and the rears were replaced with 3 leaf vs the original 2 leaf the shocks are amazingly still going strong, however the top shroud on one front and one rear has rotted around the rim and now adorns the lower part of the shocks. I cannot find direct replacement Konis any more (anyone) so am scanning around for suitable (long travel?) shocks to suit the parabolics.

Also whilst I am at it I don't really like the 3 leaf rears (remind me of rusty 11 leaf originals) and the ride height means it will not fit under the garage lintle with a load (ie 3 people!) in the back.

I don't carry very heavy loads, often on road, some gentle green-laning but want it to be my daily drive in the winter (subject to fitting a heated front screen).

Turboman · Jul 18, 2023

neikeel said:
Who makes decent 2 leaf rear parabolics (or the best 3 leaf with one a helper when heavily loaded) that people have used?

When I restored my '72 SWB Station wagon approx 15 years ago I used TI console parabolic springs (2 leaf front and rear) and Koni shocks - great combination perfect for me.
Although one of the rear springs snapped and leaf after 5 years and the rears were replaced with 3 leaf vs the original 2 leaf the shocks are amazingly still going strong, however the top shroud on one front and one rear has rotted around the rim and now adorns the lower part of the shocks. I cannot find direct replacement Konis any more (anyone) so am scanning around for suitable (long travel?) shocks to suit the parabolics.

Also whilst I am at it I don't really like the 3 leaf rears (remind me of rusty 11 leaf originals) and the ride height means it will not fit under the garage lintle with a load (ie 3 people!) in the back.

I don't carry very heavy loads, often on road, some gentle green-laning but want it to be my daily drive in the winter (subject to fitting a heated front screen).

I don't think anyone makes decent parabolic springs. We have them on our 2a, they were fitted by a previous owner, but they aren't any improvement over standard springs, and I wouldn't buy them myself.
Standard leaf springs are pretty good, and last for years.
Avoid heavy duty springs if you value your back.

Armstrong or Boge are good shocks.

300bhp/ton · Jul 18, 2023

neikeel said:
Who makes decent 2 leaf rear parabolics (or the best 3 leaf with one a helper when heavily loaded) that people have used?

When I restored my '72 SWB Station wagon approx 15 years ago I used TI console parabolic springs (2 leaf front and rear) and Koni shocks - great combination perfect for me.
Although one of the rear springs snapped and leaf after 5 years and the rears were replaced with 3 leaf vs the original 2 leaf the shocks are amazingly still going strong, however the top shroud on one front and one rear has rotted around the rim and now adorns the lower part of the shocks. I cannot find direct replacement Konis any more (anyone) so am scanning around for suitable (long travel?) shocks to suit the parabolics.

Also whilst I am at it I don't really like the 3 leaf rears (remind me of rusty 11 leaf originals) and the ride height means it will not fit under the garage lintle with a load (ie 3 people!) in the back.

I don't carry very heavy loads, often on road, some gentle green-laning but want it to be my daily drive in the winter (subject to fitting a heated front screen).

TBH I'm not sure these days on parabolic springs. I'd have said Heystee, but I don't even know if they are still trading. You'd probably need to contact them and ask. Although they were always pricey and I found them unhelpful a number of years ago and didn't buy from them.

Rocky Mountain where essentially copies of the Heystee springs. I bought a pair of these in the end. Although I believe since then the UK agent has changed and may no longer be selling the same things. You'd need to spend some time on Google and probably phoning them up I suspect.

I found most places in the UK only wanted to sell heavy duty parabolic springs rates or where unbranded or unknown spring rates. If you aren't towing or hauling I'd go for as soft as you can, it'll ride better, but lean more.

On my 88 SIII I altered the shock mounts too and fitted modern Rough Country long travel shocks. I also extended the front chassis to fit the longer rear spring on the front. It rode and handled really well.

neikeel · Jul 18, 2023

Interesting to hear that parabolics may not be necessary/ideal on 88s. In the first iteration the TI springs and Konis were pretty good (particularly compared with saggy original springs and leaky shocks) but I've been putting up with the HD rear springs.
Food for thought.

300bhp/ton · Jul 18, 2023

I certainly think the parabolics where an upgrade. But I have seen people with setups that didn’t work well.

Mine flexed great. Better than my current coiler and on some terrain the parabolics rode better too.

Shocks for parabolics

neikeel

Member

Turboman

Mab An Gov

300bhp/ton

Well-Known Member

neikeel

Member

300bhp/ton

Well-Known Member

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