Lift = lowering spring eyes?

[gbarrett]

I was cutting rusted floor from my wifes 86 GW when I saw the way the front leaf spring eyes (rear mounts) were attached to the frame. It seems I've seen this mentioned before, but I can't remember who did it or when. How hard is it to carefully fabricate a way to lower the spring eyes?

Tanx,

Greg

[Tad]

Not sure about this but it seems if you kept the eye to eye distance the same, lowered both an equal amount, and could strengthen them for side to side motion, you wouldn't be doing anything but moving everything else up. Just my thought.

[Honcho]

I did just that a few weeks ago on the frame of my '78 J10, can e-mail you photo's if you want (haven't figured out how to post pics yet)
I lowered the mounts by 3" at all spring ends. measured mount eyes to mount eyes first, then lowered the front mounts of front springs 1st keeping them the same distance from the front end of the frame, I then lowered the rear mount of front spring using the eye to eye distance I had originally measured.
For the rear springs, measured mount to mount and front of frame to front mount of rear spring, then lowered everything tha same way.
Also added 2" blocks welded to frame for a body lift at the same.
Could of bought lift springs but just liked the original ride and wanted to do it. Its just stuff to do in the toy shop after work and on weekends.

[gbarrett]

Hey Honcho,

I'd like to see some photos when you get the chance. As it is right now, we're down to just one GW until I get my wife's GW finished. I'm hoping to fabricate what I need, and as soon as I'm finished with hers, I'll lift mine. I like the ride of mine now so I'd rather not use stiff lift springs.

Thanx,

Greg

[Honcho]

gbarrett; You've got mail!!! :D

[gbarrett]

Hey Honcho!

Thanks! It looks like quite a project you've got going. Send me some pix as it goes along.

Keep up the great work.

Greg

[Erix Jeep]

I have seen this mod done before, and even though the welds looked well done, it still gave me the heebiejeebies! Increasing the distance of the spring mounts from the frame also increases the leverage that side loads have on the frame. Seems to me that is just inviting twisted frame rails, broken welds, and general mayhem on the highway.

I don't wish to irritate or offend anyone, but this seems unsafe to me. Assuming that the frame rails are about 4" (I haven't measured) a 3" spacer would be something like a 75% increase in side leverage on a C channel frame.

I think for the time and money spent making this type of modification, a person could do an SOA and have a lot better performance and safety too.

All this being said, I will now don my firesuit and wait for the flames!!! :D

[Lococoin]

ive heard that if you want to lift up the back that using spring hangers from a 73-87 chev 2WD truck will give you quite a bit of lift, you just bolt the new spring hangers on in replacement for the old ones on your jeep as the new ones mount the springs below the frame not above.

thats what ill be looking at in the near future to give me some more lift, ill let you guys know as the job progresses.

[Honcho]

gbarrett: Thanks! It looks like a project but when its in my "toy shop" I call it a "past-time".

Erix Jeep: No offence taken and fire suit not required!!! My frame is actually 3"x3" boxed to behind the cab and I also added gussets. Send me your e-mail and I'll send you a few pics. As for time and money, I have 3 other vehicles on the road so there's no rush for the jeep and money is only put on the jeep when its not used on the family or the other toys.

[ January 22, 2002: Message edited by: honcho ]</p>