Spring Leaf rear end - revisted

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Sep 11, 2007 | 04:21 AM

Grabber

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Spring Leaf rear end - revisted

Hi guys posted a while back with thoughts on the short rear end and springs, here is a couple of pics which i have remounted the spring perches and fabbed a new cross member for the front spring perches, and rewelded and boxed certain areas that the previous guy had butchered - could i get your thoughts on a few issues, General thoughts on the setup and what else i could do by adding bars etc?, and where should i mount the shocks and support member for them ? front of diff? rear of diff ?etc

Sep 11, 2007 | 07:36 AM

mechmagcn

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From: Moro Bay, AR

Looks like with very little suspension flex, those springs and shackles are going to bottom out on the crossmember and bind. I would look at the possibility of turning the shackles down and mounting the axle above the springs. On the subject of shocks, I would mount a crossmember just to the rear of the axle to mount the shocks to.

Sep 11, 2007 | 10:30 PM

Grabber

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Thanks Jeff, all good ideas and i do like the idea of the housing sitting above the springs, like my other Fords , but what other reason other than safety would this change make?? thanks for the reply

Sep 11, 2007 | 10:44 PM

ALBUQ F-1

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From: NM

Jeff is right, the shackles are way too close to the crossmember. The c'member really ought to be completely below the spring.

The boxing is good but should include the arch over the axle. That is the weakest point.

Nice looking work, tho!

Sep 11, 2007 | 10:53 PM

Grabber

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Are you referring to the rear shackles? sorry im in stupid mode.

Sep 12, 2007 | 05:33 AM

49willard

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From: Harpswell Maine

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grabber

Are you referring to the rear shackles? sorry im in stupid mode.

Yes, the rear ones. As the load increases on the rear of the chassis or on a bump, the distance between centers on the spring lengthens. I would look at moving the rear crossmember back to provide more room for spring eye to eye length changes.
Is this the same truck that was the subject of a lot of effort to gain possession of?