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Post by blk01ram on Apr 1, 2010 22:48:16 GMT -5
Finished up the leafspring's rear shackle flip brackets tonight. Drilled all the holes, bent up the two peices and got them all welded together. Here's what they look like finished welded, just need a little clean up then paint... Both side by side showing the difference in angle... Front and rear brackets side by side... Using these I don't believe I'll need a degree shim, but if I do then I'll get one. Depending on how much lift they give me, I may have to get longer shackles to match the front. Next steps are to get the gas tank dropped and emptied, pull the rear axle and remove the factory brackets. Then bolt these up, and move to the front, or to designing the cage. Did a little measuring yesterday, looks like there isn't enough room for a 4 link up front, so it'll end up being a 3 link with tracbar. My question is does it matter what side the 2 links are on or do they have to be on the passenger side and the single lower on the drivers?
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Post by popeye on Apr 2, 2010 13:48:44 GMT -5
looking good timmy, where you put your links is gonna depend on how much room you have to put them, and just out curiosity why are the two brackets angled?
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Post by blk01ram on Apr 2, 2010 15:05:06 GMT -5
I built the brackets off a set of plans that Cope sent me the link to off Ramcharger Central. I'll have to look at the stock rear brackets and see if they are angled at all. They might be that way to help with the shackle angle. Still need to drop the gas tank before I can start grinding on the rivets.
Good to know that I should be able to put the links on either side. The passenger side tube is going to be pretty tight with the tracbar, coilover, and link mounts. Think the 2 links will have to be on the drivers side.
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Post by blk01ram on Apr 10, 2010 21:02:22 GMT -5
Got some more stuff accomplished this weekend. Removed the old leaf spring hangers from the front and rear of the spring. Got all the rivets out, and had to modify the brackets a little more for them to fit. Still need to drill the holes a little bigger in the frame for the bolts to fit through on the rear brackets. The front mounts move the mounting point of the spring down 4.5". The rear mounts don't move the mounting point down at all, but locate the shackle above the spring, lowering the spring about 4.5". The lowest spot on the springs was 21", after I get the mounted and measure it again. Is it okay to mount the springs turned around? Other then the way the main leaf is bent to make the eye I can't see any reason why not. By turning them around it will move the axle back about 3". Some pictures of them mounted to the frame... Driver side front mount... Rear mount... Passenger side front and rear mounts... I'm going to trim the brackets so there won't be a 90* corner hanging down below the frame to hang up on stuff. Also going to add a piece of metal to the backside to bolt to the bottom of the frame rail after it's trimmed. Got some parts in for the front axle. Stage 8 X-locks for the spindle nuts. Also a set of Longfields Teflon Spindle bushings to replace the spindle bearings and thrush washer. They have 2 grooves on the inside to help retain grease. Monday need to look into getting new spring bushings for a 5/8's bolt. The current springs have 1/2" ones and the new brackets are 5/8". Found a place I can get some, just need to call Monday. Also need to find a set of 35 spline lockouts for the front axle. Since I'm going to drive it on the street for a short while, with the front welded I need the lockouts. After I get the springs re-mounted, I can turn my attention to the interior and get everything pulled out to make room for the cage. Also need work on the boatsides so the cage can tie into them.
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Post by chevtech on Apr 11, 2010 0:16:55 GMT -5
Looking good Timmy! I run my springs turned around and haven't had a problem yet.
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Post by blk01ram on Apr 14, 2010 21:55:58 GMT -5
Good to know about the springs, thanks Josh! Found some Poly "T" bushings that should work for the springs, just need to get the old bushings pushed out. Going to call around tomorrow and see if the auto shops local can do it. Also just picked up a spare tire for $35 off craigslist for my H1's. As you can see in the picture, I won't be using the 35's anymore. Going to step up to some 42's. The truck will have to go another 3" higher due to the larger tires, but should still be relatively low... I think I need to grow some more... Just for comparison, the tires that were on the truck...and the new size of tire going on...
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Post by Buzzer on Apr 14, 2010 23:39:30 GMT -5
sweet...... got the sawsall to get you out of the garage
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Post by blk01ram on Apr 15, 2010 1:05:01 GMT -5
I'm hoping that I can get it out on deflated tires. If not it might get a bit interesting.
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Post by Rock Dawg on Apr 15, 2010 9:44:39 GMT -5
I'm hoping that I can get it out on deflated tires. If not it might get a bit interesting. Nice work! If it doesn't want to come out strap the suspention like I had to do going to the Rubicon
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Post by popeye on Apr 15, 2010 10:40:14 GMT -5
if you have a torch you can burn the old bushings out but make sure you clean out the spring eye or drill a bunch of holes in the bushing then pound them out, i used a air chisle with the pointed end to drive them out
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Post by blk01ram on Apr 15, 2010 17:39:40 GMT -5
I might try that. I used my U-joint removal tool to get the shackle bushing out yesterday. It took a little while, but I got it out.
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Post by Brennerbadboy on Apr 15, 2010 20:15:51 GMT -5
things are comming together, its starting to look like a rig again............nice work ,keep it up
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Post by blk01ram on May 5, 2010 13:16:27 GMT -5
Gotta love walking in this morning from work and seeing packages waiting at your doorstep. Items removed from their boxes... Got my bushings for my springs and shackles. The DOM tube for the sleeves will be delivered today. Also got my pressed centers for my H1 wheels. Got them from C&M Machine Performance on Pirate. He has a sale going on right now so instead of $60 each they were $45 each, plus shipping. He miss quoted me, so I got a hell of a deal on the set of 5. Going to pick up a sandblaster this weekend and blast the wheels down and see about getting them welded in. If it's sunny, might have other things to do first though.
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Post by Jonny tsunami on May 5, 2010 13:55:33 GMT -5
I was wounding what you were doing for centers, thoughts are nice, take some pics putting them in and let me know how they work for ya
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Post by blk01ram on May 5, 2010 17:27:16 GMT -5
When the time came I was going to see if I could get a set from you, since the original price was way more then what I wanted to pay. With the sale they were a little more reasonable. I need to get the wheels back down from the attic now, to weld these in. I know one thing, the 5 of them probably weigh close 40lbs they are heavy.
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