Grooved Leaf Springs

My stock 1965 CJ-5 has grooves on the bottom of each leaf spring leaf. Grooves run the full length, maybe 5/8" wide and 1/8" deep.
Jeep is bone stock. Someone in the local club said these were optional and provide a better ride. Anyone know?

 

Can't verify the actual facts, but my impression is that they were stock OEM in the early years.
I've had them on all mine. The sales invoice on my '57 makes no mention of them being an option.

 

My '71 had grooved leaves also. I just put them in the parts for sale forum.

 

My 67 has the grooves. Its a Tuxedo Park, which was advertised to come with special "dual rate" springs for a better ride. Not sure if thats what these are, but its possible.

 

I had thought it's specific to the vendor that Jeep sourced the springs from. Different vendor, different appearance - nothing more. They should be functionally the same as not-grooved springs that were built to the same spec.

I would expect "dual rate" springs to have overload leaves that were separate from the main pack. The extra leaves do not come into use until the main spring is partly compressed.



This is a rear spring from my CJ-6, factory standard equipment.

 

One of the fellow in our jeep club told me that the grooved springs were advertised to produce better ride. Perhaps less friction between the leaves due to decreased contact area?

 

My brothers '71 CJ6 has they groved spings and after 2 years we have yet to see if they ride better.

 

Grooved springs were common on many vehicles of that era, including Corvettes for example.

I always wondered if the groove was to allow lubrication - which would help the 'ride.'

 

Grooved springs trap a lot of dirt and moisture. Many are prone to be cracked at the center pin on the longest leaf.