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I could do a dropped axle from Sids. The axle, kingpins, drop tie rods and shipping run about $500.
I could install the new springs and see what the ride height is, then adjust the rear for a slight rake.
Opinions?
My 64 has a shim on the front axle. I haven't seen this on pics of other straight axle trucks. The shim has the wide end toward the front of the truck. Ws this from the factory or a previous owner? Do I retain it or remove it with the new springs?
Gotta pic of the shim? I would think it is factory and should be reinstalled, but don't know for certain. I thought it was an aid in fine tuning an alignment? WAG.
For slight drops I don't understand why people don't just install bigger diameter rear tires. It fills up the rear tire area and looks nice in some rigs.
What I do know, those front bushings integral to the frame, that the shackles attach to, are a serious PITA. I sprayed everything for two weeks and two cans of PB Blaster when I had new leafs installed all the way around. Didn't help on those at all. I seem to remember the gurus here talking about All-thread to force them out or something.
Im hoping the fronts come off as easy as the rears. The PO disassembled the truck and put it back together, then kept it in the garage and rarely drove it. Maybe I will get lucky.
Ive got L78-15s all the way around. That's 29.3in tall and still narrow enough for me to be able to one hand the steering wheel in parking lots.
I think Im going to trace the spring arc on the ground, then remove the 3rd leaf and reinstall it upside down on top of the pack and compare that arc to the original arc.
I just want enough front drop to remove the gap between the fender and tire. Then I will adjust the rear for a slight rake. Next go around on tires Im getting radials, probably 225/75/15 on the front and as big as I can get on the rear.
Those shims are for adding castor to the front end alignment. Castor is the angle that makes the truck run straight down the road.
Less castor(remove shims)will steer easier in the parking lots, but might tend to wander at highway speed.
I've got 6 degree shims in mine. Before the power steering it was a real PITA in the parking lots or trying to back a trailer. With power steering not so much.
Yep, a few pounds of air either way can make a big difference. Also, these trucks were designed to carry heavy loads so a full bed with some pounds seems to help.
I know this an old post but I just did the HAMB leaf flip. The steering isn't too bad but the steering wheel is off so the toe needs to be realigned. I kinda want the rear an inch higher. I might redo the rear and take the next longer leaf and flip. It seems to be about 3 inches. I am measuring 29.5 from ground to fender, it is about an inch wheel gap from top of my 235/75r15 tires.
My driveway is kinda angled away from my house, this might not be a hundred percent but here is the finished product.
I was thinking of just buying an inch block to add in but then I would need longer U bolts. It wasn't too bad a job to do again... I guess. For now I am not touching it. Just need new shocks, mine are wooped. Thanks again to all of yalls with my project.
I added a before picture from last year when my truck got best of show.
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