Ok, on my '72 4x4 conversion, i've decided to do a shacle flip for the back and get me 6" of lift using stock springs. I realize thats doing some fabing and thats all just fine with me, I just don't want to spend no money for lift kits. So on the front i've decided to take all the coil spring crap off and go to leaf springs. Now here are some questions:

1. Can I take the shackles off the back of a truck and use those to mount springs for the front or do I have to find some shackles off of some 4x4 with leaf springs already?

2. My front axle i'm gonna use is from a coil spring truck. Can I use the mounting pads where the leaf springs bolt to the axle off of another rear axle, and just weld them where they need to go?

3. Can I use the rear springs from a truck for my front springs, or are the spring rates too much different? And if not what springs should I go get out of the junkyard tomorrow?

4. If I lift 6", move the front axle up about an inch for some fender breathing room, should I expect any crossmember interference? Remember this started as a 2x4 truck.


I guess thats all for now. Hopefully tomorrow i'm gonna get the torch and grinders out and get to work on this thing. Gonna take a few pics and post them up for all to see as soon as I can.


Marlon

 

I like the coil spring ride, and if it were me, I would get the 4x4 buckets, and space them down on the frame for the lift, using thick wall tubing. This would be less fab, in my opinion, but still won't be easy. I did a similar stunt on my truck, and I found it easiest to go with ford or ford replacement parts. If you were wanting leaves, it would be easier to go with a leaf spring axle, rather than trying to mess with the c-bushing brackets and then leaf perches. You will also need to get a different steering box and relocate it in front of the axle. Good luck, Ted

 

1) you can do either, but it depends on the width of your spring packs....but it will prolly be easier to find some shackles off of another 4x4 with leafs

2) yes

3) yes....talk to Ho, he did just that but we found out that just buying a set of 4" lift springs is gonna work better

4) shouldn't.....the only crossmembers (don't qoute me on this...please correct me if I am wrong) that are on the 4x4 version frame that isn't on the 4x2 is the transfer case x-member and the tranny x-member may be different! but that should be all that is different!

-jason-

 

Several things to keep in mind- Your pinion angle and caster angle will be determined by the springs and perches. Also, the driver's side spring is going to go over the pumpkin, so using perches cut off a rear axle won't work. Plus, a D44 front end has 2 5/8" diameter tubes, while most rears are 3". For the straight axle swap on my F-250, I made perches from 3" square tube, clearanced to fit over the existing perches.
For your truck, I really would keep the stock front springs, Fab up an upper spring bucket mount and dual shock hoop, and have fun.

 

Well, after taking the D44 out of my junker and looking at the truck i'm gonna put it in, i've about decided to keep the coil springs, everything looks like it will pretty much go in easy. I just plan on dropping the upper spring bucket 6" to get my lift and use the 4X4 stock springs I have. I'm also gonna have to mount the stock radius arm brackets from the 4X4, didn't take exact measurements, but i'm pretty darn sure that the ones on my 2X4 are in the wrong place, it couldn't be that easy.

So when I mount them should I also drop them 6" to keep the caster the same, or is that easily fixed with a different C bushing?

Thanks,

Marlon