How to loosen/soften up springs of series III?

[3 Sisters]

I've just bought a Series III, apparently with stiffer springs added. It's way to stiff, and it's travel is severely limited.
I backed off the top out straps, and put some defender shocks in the back(I know of valving issues etc, not the issue here), but it's obviously the springs are too stiff.
How many should there be in a stack, and what ones can be removed?
They both have 9 leafs. With two being curled for mounting, and then a third full length one next in line.
I was thinking of removing these full length ones, as I'm guessing they will increase small bump sensitivity(road use), and also the very shortest spring as I'm guessing that one will stiffen up the pack the most at full travel.
Please pardon my lack of lingo, and technical jargon, I don't talk much with mechanics.
Also, do the short wheel base models come with softer spring stacks? Will they fit?
My next question may be uncool, but while it's on topic I'll put it up here anyway(please remove if not okay, mods). Does anyone need/want some stiffer springs(possibly good for towing or heavy loads(camping)?
Does anyone have some army or other long travel links for sale?
Thanks for any help.
My front end gets to the bottom out bumpers with one wheel on a mound and a rear in the air. The rear doesn't get anywhere near a bottom out bumper, no matter what I park any wheel on.
and
Yes I'd love to drive around with a spar in the back full of ladies to get my suspension to work, I don't think it's legal.

[isuzurover]

Post #20 of this thread explains what I did to mine:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/series-3/48812-parabolic-leaf-springs-2.html

You probably won't be able to just pull leaves out without getting the packs reset. 110/defender rear shocks are too long for the rear of a landie unless it is a military version.

SWB rear springs are much softer. They will be too soft unless you have an aluminium tray and never carry much of a load.

Sounds like you have the extra-heavy-duty rears. In which case there is lots of room for improvement and it would be next to useless offroad as-is.

[3 Sisters]

Sorry, I meant Disco shocks. They're a lot longer than stock also, but they won't top or bottom out any earlier, they just will have dud valving.
I'll check your thread, thanks;)

[Xtreme]

An easy and cheap way to soften leaf springs is to grease between the leaves. It's amazing the difference it makes.

It can be done on the vehicle by jacking the body up and driving a thin steel wedge between the leaves to open them a bit then wiping the grease between the leaves with a knife blade or something similar.

[isuzurover]

Sorry, I meant Disco shocks. They're a lot longer than stock also, but they won't top or bottom out any earlier, they just will have dud valving.
I'll check your thread, thanks;)

Defender, Disco and RRC rear shocks are all the same length.

Xtreme - you are roight, greasing works well. However if they are the extra heavy duty rears, they are 500lb/in. Which means a tonne of weight in the back will only drop the vehicle down 2", and you would need 2 or 3 tonnes to reach the bump stops. All the grease in the world won't do much if that is the case.

[Newbs-IIA]

I have the same problem except at opposite ends, my rear flexes but the front doesn't. I am putting mine down to poor quality of the springs as they are very rusty and frozen. They are recieving alot of lanolin but still not freeing up - considering a rebuild, chamfer the edges, grind off the rust, lubricate leaves ect. Also maybe thinking of longer shackles, dunno about that yet as I would think that Iwould need onger springs to take full effect of this.

keep us posted :)

[Lotz-A-Landies]

This is the specs for the spring packs.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/984.jpg

If you have 9 leaves in each pack, you either have some after market springs from someone like FWD in Melbourne or they are original 1 Ton or Military spring packs.

However if you do as Xtreme suggests you should find considerable improvement.

Another friend regularly puts his SIII up on his hoist so the axles are hanging and the leaves have all opened up and he pumps old sump oil between the leaves.

Diana

[LandyAndy]

Make sure that the chassis bushes arent seized(both front and rear).The spring cant operate if they are.
Also see if those "PLASTIC" Polybushes have been used.They dont work on Series Landies and can weld themselves causing a seize.Replace with correct rubber bushes and ensure you follow the tightening instructions in the workshop manual,failure to do so will also give a seized bush that wont let the spring work.
YEP I FOUND OUT THE HARD WAY A LONG TIME AGO;);););)
Andrew

[LandyAndy]

PS
Graphite powder between the leaves :cool::cool::cool::cool:
It is a DRY lubricant,grease attacts dust and acts as a grinding paste wearing your springs out faster.
Andrew