I removed every other leaf in the rear spring and located the 8.8 rear on top of the springs. Now the pumpkin bumps the bottom of the bed wood once in awhile.

What is the best way to fix this? Re-install a few spring leaves or make a longer rear shackle?

 

How about putting the axle under the springs rather than over them?

 

If you like the stance it has, raise the bed floor a few inches.

 

you could add a pair of axle travel stops on the frame.

 

If it bottoms out during normal driving I would add leafs, longer shackles just put more stress on the springs. How much travel room do you have with the setup as it is now?

 

Please excuse me if I am having a brainfart,

But how would longer shakles prevent the hump from hitting the bed???

 

That would raise the back too much and I would end with up too big of a rate.

Also - how would longer shackles put more stress on the springs?

I'm thinking that I should just raise the whole bed and maybe the cab too. That way I keep the stance and get more clearance.

 

One other thought Jonf. I added air shocks to my 48f1. Doesn't raise the rear end up too much but stiffens it up so I don't get so much travel. I have a 9" rear and a new rear leaf suspension kit form TCI. Older Corvette air shocks matched up to the conventional shocks supplied with the kit. Just another alternative to consider.

 

I have a pair of air shocks that are not installed yet. I'm trying to figure something out to keep the rear shocks I've already got and put the air shocks on. Trying to figure it out without losing the Explorer anti-sway bar.

How much did the shocks raise your truck?

 

About an inch with 80 psi air.

 

Think of the shackle as a lever, the spring on one end and the weight of the truck on the other. The longer the lever the more force on the spring end when the truck goes around corners. Straight up and and down there is no difference but side to side the forces are greater.

C notching the frame and raising the bed floor may be needed if you do not have enough suspension travel room.

 

I already have great clearance on my C notches. What do you think about raising the whole bed with spacers? I know the running boards might not work correctly and it will leave a gap between them and the bed at the sides near the front of the bed.

Your thoughts??

 

What truck are we discussing? How about pictures? I left the axle under the springs on my 53, raised the front hangers to to the top of frame rail, and used two inch lowering shackles on rear. I did use some of the convoluted bump stops in the C notches to absorb any contact. With four leaves it rode and drove nicely. New Tbird IRS is even better.:]

 

I would think raising the whole bed without lowering the fenders will lose the look you are trying to keep. I would raise the bed floor or just a section over the center of the rear.

 

I'd just take the bed floor out and install spacers then set the bed floor back on it. You'll have to do a little sheetmetal fabrication at the back at the bottom or you'll have a gap, but that's an easy fix.