Hello All...

It has been a long time since I posted. I have been so dang busy at work and around the shop that I haven't had much time for the computer. Anyway, now that the weather in the Pacific NW is returning to rain I have parked the motorcycle and I'm back in the Highboy. I have been stewing over the leaf springs in the truck. They are getting old and rather saggy. I have been questioning everyone for input. I quizzed the folks at Les Schwab's about getting OEM height springs. At this point they are looking for options. Seems that Skyjacker makes springs for it. I have been talking to some of the folks from the "custom spring" manufacturing crowd. They of course don't like the mass produced springs such as Skyjackers. I am not in objection to lifting the truck a bit. 2-4 inches would be ok. What is the general thoughts on lifting a Highboy? Some day I think I might look at putting 36 inch tires on in place of the 33's I have now. 2+ inches lift would help this a bit and larger tires would help to lower my engine revs.

I have to do this last suspension thing soon. The springs are so shot to crap that they squeak all the time and the bushings are GONE. The rest of the truck has been reworked...rebuilt ....or re-engineered...all except for these darned springs. They gotta go. I am tired of having a truck that runs like a streak and squeaks over speed bumps. Any opinions?

Cheers
Bill

 

I've always liked skyjacker, but have heard their springs aren't the best, but this is from the custom spring guys too.
I'd take skyjacker over rough country anyday.
Your highboy can fit 35-36s stock, so 2" of lift wouldn't hurt, but you wouldn't need any more than that.
Also, yes your RPMs will be lower on the hwy with 35s, but your accleration will drop alittle, depending on current gears.

 

I won't have any issues with turning 36's. I have 4.11 gears and a pretty strong 429 tied to a c-6

Cheers
Bill

 

Some trucks came with 3.50 gears, which isn't a good combo with 36s, but 4.11, and a built 429, that's a great combo.

Also, any springs you put at stock hight or 2" lift won't need anything else in order to complete the lift. You should be fine with skyjacker or custom.

 

I don't know what you would end up doing for a drag link if you added 4" & you still have the stock power assist setup ?

 

There are a lot of springs out there, check 4wheelsparts.com, you can get an idea of what is there and the pricing. Deaver springs, Eaton, the supply is endless, I would call 4 wheel Parts, or Cageoffroad.com, some one that knows the trucks and what works best and lasts. It is a bit of work, so I would do my homework, energy suspension makes bushings for the springs also.

 

I second that :) ES's retailer suppier is "restoration something or other". ;)
(my son Jeff switched me from 98lite to Xubuntu -which is great!- but haven't got my old bookmarks and a few otherthings yet)

I re-arched my own rear leaf springs. You could do that too if you wanted to or find a shop that cold-hammer-re-arches them. Or buy new, whatever.

I got to tell you something tho, my two rear leaf spring packs' locating pins were not the same distance from the spring eyes! :/ No kidding.

Yep, put them back on the side they came from and the axle was square with the frame. Switch sides with them and it'd drive sideways down the road like a 70's chevy Nova. ;)

PickupMan said "do your homework" and I couldn't agree with that more.

Do not let anyone re-heat treat your old springs! :(
Unless they are grinding them down to make knives and swords. :)

Alvin in AZ (high carbon steel metallurgy for a hobby)

 

Hey All...

Looks like the way it is going to go is like this:

Sky Jacker springs. Use a 4"lift spring pack in the rear and remove the factory block. Use a 2" lift spring pack in the front. This according to Skyjacker will level the truck and give me an overall 2 inches lift above stock. I then am looking to install the Toyo M/T in a 35x13 size. I was going to go 36's but they don't make that tire in a 36" size without going to a wheel swap to 17" diameter wheels. I am going to stick with my alloy wheels so 35" tires it is. Should look great I think. I am so freaking stoked to do this I want it done RIGHT NOW! I will post pics as soon as it is done.

The next project is drive lines. You know how the stock drive lines look like exhaust pipe? I have a fellow that owns a custom drive line shop here in town. He is the guy that rebuilt my steering shaft. He is going to build some "bullet proof" lines for me. He is going to use 4" pipe .125 wall on all three drive lines. He is then going to upgrade to the CTM joints. That outta hold for a while.

Cheers
Bill

 

Another option - have you checked out "Old Man Emu" ? A lot of off-roaders pick them for specific vehicles/lift.

 

I need to get pics of my 77 taken and put on here, man o man what a change an 1 1/2" and new tires and rims can make!! not to mention, C-bushings, track-arm bushings, radius arm bushings, brake lines, and cleaning.

 

Cool. I've been wondering about something. Racers would prob'ly know the answer right off... when the thin stock ones end-up getting crooked, like, slightly bent sideways, when they've never been bumped into by anything...

Can an an-ever-so-slight-twist, cause that?

"overloaded" just once, see?

Ask your guy about the "real cause" for me, will you?

Alvin in AZ

 

Yep...I know exactly what you are talking about. I will ask Rich about that matter when I do my drive line rebuild project. Perhaps I will talk to him before that and I will let you know .

Cheers
Bill

 

Yep...I know of them. I used to sell 4x4 parts years ago...and we sold them at the time. I never contemplated getting OME springs for the Ford. Hmmmmm.. might have to check on that.

Thanks for the reminder.
-Bill

 

From what I've heard about Old Man Emu is a custom built set of springs > length of spring / length from hangers to axle / weight of vehicle / etc. are needed for a particular set of springs. Also - have you considered a set of traction bars or ladder bars ? I've got a cheap set of frame-mounted T-bars and will switch to ladders when the engine gets rebuilt. Then the drivelines get rebuilt.