Rear problems...I must get high(er)
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Birdsboro Good ol' U.S.A.!
Rear problems...I must get high(er)
I got ahold of some lift coils for the front of my 79 Shortbed and threw em on, but now I need to do something about the back but I dont really have much loot to dish out. My truck is a gas hog now that im riding up hill all the time...lol..get it.. But anyways I need some quick riggin ideas. The only idea I have is to take leafs off one of my spare sets and center bolt em to the the ones on the truck. Will it be suitable? Im only looking for about 2 inches or so. Im open for any ideas. Thanks,
Mike
Mike
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 144
Likes: 1
From: Savannah US
Rear problems...I must get high(er)
Simple solution. Add 2 inch lifting blocks. They are the cheapest and easiest way! Replace the old U-bolts with new ones because once they've been stretched once they really should be replaced. Not to mention the probably will be rusted and seized. You can get a set made at most machine shops or axle/driveline shops. I got a set of u-bolts for made for my 78 f250 for about $60. Retorque the u-bolts after about 200-500 miles, because the new blocks have to "seat" themselves. If you dont retorque them your axle may rock back and forth when you put power to the rear axle. I already learned that lesson once on my lifted '78 f250 4x4. I didnt retorque the u-bolts when i installed lift blocks and after 500 miles it caused the axle to rock backwards and costed me a new rear u-joint.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Birdsboro Good ol' U.S.A.!
Rear problems...I must get high(er)
Thanks for the input. The main problem I had was 7 inches of clearance on the front 2, and the right rear fender-well, from the top of the tire. But my left rear only had 5 inches, clearance, so inspected further and figured out that the loner leaf spring wasnt a Ford stock, so I gathered up what unbroken leafs I had and replaced the stocky. Brought me back up my 2 inches I needed, and im not longer drivin up hill all the time. I cant believe the U-bolts would be that much, I was figurin like 8-10 bucks a piece, or does that include the blocks?
Thanks,
Mike
It's not what you buy, it's what you build!
1979 F-150 4x4 Shortbed 4 spd 33x12.5's 2"susp lift and many other neat thingers
1978 F-150 w/250 front end Supercab 4x4 Dana HD44 Towing cam
1977 F-150 Longbed 4x4 4spd Psycho lift cam, Decked & Bored
1996 Ford Explorer
Thanks,
Mike
It's not what you buy, it's what you build!
1979 F-150 4x4 Shortbed 4 spd 33x12.5's 2"susp lift and many other neat thingers
1978 F-150 w/250 front end Supercab 4x4 Dana HD44 Towing cam
1977 F-150 Longbed 4x4 4spd Psycho lift cam, Decked & Bored
1996 Ford Explorer
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 144
Likes: 1
From: Savannah US
Rear problems...I must get high(er)
I got my u-bolts made. They are the highest quality u-bolts u can get though. They naturally needed to be longer (and more expensive)to compensate for the larger distance. I got the blocks from a buddy who lifted his '79 F250 more with a bigger block set, so i got mine for my '78 F250 free!
I've even seen slightly angled blocks to change the pitch of your axle, so it's not too sharp of a pitch for your u-joints.
I've even seen slightly angled blocks to change the pitch of your axle, so it's not too sharp of a pitch for your u-joints.
