Spring under axle idea
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More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 609
Likes: 3
From: Central Va
Spring under axle idea
Has this been done? I haven't been able to dig up anything online about it being done.
I'm sick and tired of the handling, and the spring swap looks like it's going to have to be in my future as soon as funds allow.
The problem is that I do not want/have multiple reasons why the truck needs to stay close to the same height.
I've done a spring over on several vehicles, but never the reverse, I don't see any major hurdles except for the thickness of the actual axle tube and associated perches that will be needed. I may be looking at needing some longer shackles to overcome that, but everything else I have seen looks fairly straightforward with some time with a grinder and welder.
Anyone seen anything similar? Ideas? I'm an idiot?(don't answer than one)
I'm sick and tired of the handling, and the spring swap looks like it's going to have to be in my future as soon as funds allow.
The problem is that I do not want/have multiple reasons why the truck needs to stay close to the same height.
I've done a spring over on several vehicles, but never the reverse, I don't see any major hurdles except for the thickness of the actual axle tube and associated perches that will be needed. I may be looking at needing some longer shackles to overcome that, but everything else I have seen looks fairly straightforward with some time with a grinder and welder.
Anyone seen anything similar? Ideas? I'm an idiot?(don't answer than one)
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 916
Likes: 1
From: Reno, NV
I'm intrigued by the idea of a V/B swap but moving the spring under the axle. You'll loose ground clearance but have almost no axle-wrap and a lower center of gravity (the better handling you want).
On the rear I don't think it's a big deal but on the front you have a bunch of steering components to deal with.
Edit: Thinking about it you will probably need some kind of small body lift and you'll definitely need to fabricate something custom to pull it off. Starts to make me think it's more trouble than it's worth and you're better off spending the money on upgrading components to the suspension and steering system that will improve handling.
On the rear I don't think it's a big deal but on the front you have a bunch of steering components to deal with.
Edit: Thinking about it you will probably need some kind of small body lift and you'll definitely need to fabricate something custom to pull it off. Starts to make me think it's more trouble than it's worth and you're better off spending the money on upgrading components to the suspension and steering system that will improve handling.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 609
Likes: 3
From: Central Va
I'm intrigued by the idea of a V/B swap but moving the spring under the axle. You'll loose ground clearance but have almost no axle-wrap and a lower center of gravity (the better handling you want).
On the rear I don't think it's a big deal but on the front you have a bunch of steering components to deal with.
Edit: Thinking about it you will probably need some kind of small body lift and you'll definitely need to fabricate something custom to pull it off. Starts to make me think it's more trouble than it's worth and you're better off spending the money on upgrading components to the suspension and steering system that will improve handling.
On the rear I don't think it's a big deal but on the front you have a bunch of steering components to deal with.
Edit: Thinking about it you will probably need some kind of small body lift and you'll definitely need to fabricate something custom to pull it off. Starts to make me think it's more trouble than it's worth and you're better off spending the money on upgrading components to the suspension and steering system that will improve handling.
Plus I already have to let the air out of the tires to get in the garage at home
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,057
Likes: 1,563
From: Media PA
I'll need to take a close look at angles and such, we know the stock setup can handle a few inches of lift, but I'm not sure about lowering. I don't have the truck here to look right now. Up isn't possible in this case, as I have both passengers with mobility issues where that would be a problem, and I have a hospital parking garage I deal with where I'm already about an inch from hitting as it is. The handling is secondary to these factors.
Plus I already have to let the air out of the tires to get in the garage at home
Plus I already have to let the air out of the tires to get in the garage at home
Give Junior at ATS spring a call, he may be able to make a front spring with the same arch but a higher rate to firm up the front and a non-modded B or C code on the rear will have the same basic ride height as the stock EX spring pack but better load handling and ride. Just an idea that may be a little less work.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 255
Likes: 3
From: Hamilton Ontario
I removed the 2" blocks from my EX to get it in the Underground where I work.
I only needed 3/4" to clear so I added air bags and Lift is back up an Inch and that keeps it looking level
I have noticed my shocks at a big off and my try extending the mounts a bit lower
I only needed 3/4" to clear so I added air bags and Lift is back up an Inch and that keeps it looking level
I have noticed my shocks at a big off and my try extending the mounts a bit lower
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 33
From: Sacramento Area
Maybe this isn't a real concern, but putting the springs under the axle puts all the weight bearing onto the U bolts (instead of transferring weight from the axle to the axle plate to the block to the springs, it goes from the axle to the U bolts to the spring, yadda yadda).
Are the U bolts/nuts designed to carry that much weight? You could probably get tougher ones that OEM, but something to think about.
Are the U bolts/nuts designed to carry that much weight? You could probably get tougher ones that OEM, but something to think about.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 916
Likes: 1
From: Reno, NV
Give Junior at ATS spring a call, he may be able to make a front spring with the same arch but a higher rate to firm up the front and a non-modded B or C code on the rear will have the same basic ride height as the stock EX spring pack but better load handling and ride. Just an idea that may be a little less work.
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