Flipped front springs....

[JeepKahn]

Well, yesterday afternoon I went ahead and end-to-ended my front springs... I hate wrestling axles by myself... I went ahead and pulled my leafpacks apart and greased between them(lithium NOT petro based) and put new clamps on... I already had a 2" longer front dshaft laying around so that's done too... It looks way better now, I always thought that the tire sat too far back in the wheel well... The shocks are really close to the shock tower but it doesn't hit( I cycled the suspension to check)... I'm guessing this will prolly also help my weight distribution in my @sslight truck a little too... My next project is removing bed and bobbing about 12" off the frame and building a ute bed...

[heydave]

Show us a pic! :D
Sounds cool!

[Sycho15]

So you just swapped which end of the springs faces forwards?

[JeepKahn]

The shorter end measured from alignment pin to eye... Moves the axle forward 2"...

[orangecherokee]

Good call Jeepkahn, i think you'll be pleased that you did.

[blt2krl]

Great mind think alike. :D I plan on doing the same thing. Post some pics when you get a chance..

[The Donzi]

What front shaft did you use? I'm about to do the same thing with an SOA since I have to get my driveshaft lengthened anyway....Post some pics!! Sounds really cool :cool:

[JeepKahn]

I wouldn't swear to it, but I believe it's my original shaft from before I swapped out the QT...
I think I put in the shaft from the th400/d20 truck I got the d20 out of, because the th400/qt shaft was too long at that point, so when I moved my axle forward the qt shaft is now the right length... Here's a breakdown: Th400/qt shaft is X length, Th400/d20 shaft is 2" shorter, and the 3 spd/D20 is 3" shorter still... I hope this helps..

[Crazy_Jeepman]

I did that to, only thing with it is that it messes up the Caster a bit, and tilts the pinion downward. Shim it back I guess would work fine. ;)

[ June 23, 2003, 04:49 PM: Message edited by: Crazy_Jeepman ]

[blt2krl]

What is your pinion angle now versus before?

[JeepKahn]

It's actually pretty close to the same... Because I use a shim system on the springs to get more arch out of the front half of the spring, and for 2 years now I've been running GODAWFUL long shackles made out of 1/2" plate and a welded in bridge between them to keep the rigidity up... I also used a piece of 2 1/2"x1/4" tubing clamped near the rear of each spring to prevent kinking near the eye(I've destroyed several main leaves by kinking<see my uwharrie post awhile back>)...If I can get my GD Digicam to work I'll post pics...

[mtn goat]

Just curious, what do you gain by doiong this? Not being smart...just dont know

[RdHawg]

do you by chance still have the rear shaft from the t400/d20 truck? I could really use one.

[blt2krl]

Originally posted by mtn goat:
Just curious, what do you gain by doiong this? Not being smart...just dont knowIt centers the axle more in the wheel well

[Sitting Bull]

I thought most peoples damage from contact between the tires and the fenders happened in the front already. Would this switch only be good for cut fender openings?

How does this apply to the size of the "eye" on the end. In it's stock location, the rear eye is larger than the front - I would assume because it has to take more impact...I doubt the engineers would have made it larger for any other purpose. By flipping the spring, your now putting the smaller eye towards the rear - any structural concerns there?

[JeepKahn]

Originally posted by RdHawg:
do you by chance still have the rear shaft from the t400/d20 truck? I could really use one.Whats the length you need, I've got several rears varying lengths...

[JeepKahn]

SB, not all the FSJs had larger bushings in rear, I've got several sets and only one has the larger eye on the rear...

[JeepKahn]

Here's a Bunch of pics... http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/getimg.php?image=1963-1987-Pickups/shocktower.jpg
This shows the clearance on the shocktower
http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/getimg.php?image=1963-1987-Pickups/profile.jpg
Overall change in stance...
http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/getimg.php?image=1963-1987-Pickups/prerevolvers.jpg
Befor there were revolvers...

http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/getimg.php?image=1963-1987-Pickups/antikink2.jpg
To prevent those nasty positive kinks...
http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/getimg.php?image=1963-1987-Pickups/afterphoto.jpg
Shows the centeredness of the front wheel after...
http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/getimg.php?image=1963-1987-Pickups/Shacklesshims.jpg
Showing my shackle and springshim setup...
http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/getimg.php?image=1963-1987-Pickups/Pinionangle.jpg
Pinion angle after...
http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/getimg.php?image=1963-1987-Pickups/Antikink.jpg
Better shot of antikink brace...

[ June 24, 2003, 12:05 PM: Message edited by: JeepKahn ]

[Sitting Bull]

Nice pics. The trimming on the flares looks nice too. Did you roll the edge at all...and if so...how?

And I don't get that box at the back of the front spring...

[rockjeep44]

It's so his leaf won't do this.
http://www.rebelrockrunners.org/gallery/tellico/springbreak/images/L1010489.jpg

[Stolen76]

cool lookin truck but those are the scariest shackles I have ever seen !

[Tad]

Originally posted by Stolen76:
cool lookin truck but those are the scariest shackles I have ever seen !Well, we have seen scarier, I would be a bit concerned.

[JeepKahn]

Originally posted by rockjeep44:
It's so his leaf won't do this.
So I'm not the only person who destroys main leaves that way smile.gif

[JeepKahn]

Originally posted by tadsal:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Stolen76:
cool lookin truck but those are the scariest shackles I have ever seen !Well, we have seen scarier, I would be a bit concerned.</font>[/QUOTE]They aren't THAT scary... They actually don't deflect side to side at all, and it steers quite well... :D

[Sitting Bull]

Andrew...can you fix the pic?

[rockjeep44]

It's showing up for me, but here's a direct link.
http://www.rebelrockrunners.org/gallery/tellico/springbreak/images/L1010489.jpg

Originally posted by JeepKahn:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by rockjeep44:
It's so his leaf won't do this.
So I'm not the only person who destroys main leaves that way smile.gif </font>[/QUOTE]Nope, I seem to have a talent for doing it. Here's another shot, totally separate occasion smile.gif BTW, in the pic above, I actually broke the main leaf right after that pic was taken. And it broke around midnight on one of the hardest trails at tellico. Talk about fun.
http://www.rebelrockrunners.org/gallery/tellico/dixierun/images/L1000236.jpg
direct link: http://www.rebelrockrunners.org/gallery/tellico/dixierun/images/L1000236.jpg

[RdHawg]

Originally posted by JeepKahn: Whats the length you need, I've got several rears varying lengths...Including the bolt flange it's 45-46 inches without its prolly 2 inches shorter. I'd like to switch to a cv if possible. original shaft was from my 69 d20 to d44 wag setup.

[JeepKahn]

My uwharrie episode last mont was th 6th one I did that to... Which means if you need loose leaves I've got a Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogleyloads... Hopefully the box/brace will prevent #7....

[JeepKahn]

Originally posted by RdHawg:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by JeepKahn: Whats the length you need, I've got several rears varying lengths...Including the bolt flange it's 45-46 inches without its prolly 2 inches shorter. I'd like to switch to a cv if possible. original shaft was from my 69 d20 to d44 wag setup.</font>[/QUOTE]Please tell me that you aren't still running the ball and trunion shaft.... I'll check to see what I've got that is that short...

[Sitting Bull]

Originally posted by rockjeep44:
It's showing up for me, but here's a direct link.
Youch! Thanks!

[BIGYELLOW78J10]

I am not scared by those shackles. Look like a CJ, or Scout, or 15,000 other trucks. Now the old school one sided bent rod Willy's shackles, that is something to be afraid of. I'll try to find a pic. I think I soiled myself the first time I saw those shackles on my friends '48 riding on 40's.

Quite impressive job JeepKahn.

Will the block restrict the spring? Is it any worse than a clamp on the spring pack?

Any body have any experience on a non cut rig? I may consider it when i lift, but I don't want to overextend my front shaft.

Later,

Daniel

[ June 25, 2003, 09:01 AM: Message edited by: BIGYELLOW78J10 ]

[JeepKahn]

BigYellow, you must be talking about the old c-shackles that look more like a muffler hanger than a shackle, yep, those were REAL scary...
As far as the block, no it won't limit anything and if you look it actually is acting as the top of the clamp... Custom spring rebuilder made the clamps for me but the box was my Idea...

[RdHawg]

What's a ball and trunion setup?

[JeepKahn]

Ball and trunion was a type of ujoint that amc used on a lot of vehicles that was notorious for breaking and polevaulting the car/truck onto it's head... one of my longsince gone parts rigs(a 71 wag) had one on it... It's kinda hard to describe but here goes: the tcase end of the shaft goes into a sleeve that bolts to a flange at the tcase output, and it uses 2 balls inside the sleeve to transfer the torque from the sleeve to the center shaft, kinda like a front wheel drive car cv-joint with 2 balls instead of 6...
If Still had the wag I'd take a pic... Does anyone else have a pic of a ball and trunion???

[RdHawg]

That's not what I have. mine has(Had) a regular splined joint that went to a u-joint the u-joint is held by a couple of rings that bolt to a flange w/ a step that then mates to another flange that's on the output shaft of the xfer case. (darn I wish I had a digital cam GRRRR)

[89grand]

Originally posted by Stolen76:
cool lookin truck but those are the scariest shackles I have ever seen !They made me wince too: :eek: . But if he says they work they must.

[ June 25, 2003, 04:42 PM: Message edited by: 89grand ]

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Originally posted by RdHawg:
That's not what I have. mine has(Had) a regular splined joint that went to a u-joint the u-joint is held by a couple of rings that bolt to a flange w/ a step that then mates to another flange that's on the output shaft of the xfer case. (darn I wish I had a digital cam GRRRR)Like this?? ;)
http://ebay2.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_EBAY_cd3e2658a83d14961cfa48a12541fa5a/i-1.JPG

[JeepKahn]

No, thats not a ball and trunion... Thank goodness... I'll look to see what I've got in the morning... how many splines is your output???I've got plenty of yokes too so that you can be rid of the flange setup...

[JeepKahn]

Originally posted by 89grand:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Stolen76:
cool lookin truck but those are the scariest shackles I have ever seen !They made me wince too: :eek: . But if he says they work they must.</font>[/QUOTE]Geez, you guy's act like those are $19.99 parts store shackles... Those are made of 1/2"x2" steel with 3/16"x2" angle welded in for bracing, and I even have proper spacers in the spring mount to keep the mounts from flexing... :D

[RdHawg]

I can check that spline count tommorrow. It's kinda hard to see the jeepmans pic but I think that it is similar. after I did the lift I built a spacer for the flange to get the drive length right so along with the spline count I'll try to get you a length to the end of the output shaft.

[Stolen76]

the shackles must work out pretty well if you can bend a leaf like that and still have a front end under the truck. but still scary smile.gif

how do you like your walmart tires ? they look good on the shelf, always been curious.

[JeepKahn]

The walmart tires actually work real well, and I did get the road hazard warranty that does cover sidewalls...But thw 2 ply sidewalls are kinda thin but thats why I carry 2 spares...

[JeepKahn]

And did I mention...$480 for 4, mounted,balanced, and road hazard warrantied... 35x12.50x15...

[Sambo]

man they are $528 with warranty and tax here at our walmart :-/
which are 118.95 + 9.97 warranty+tax=528
but they are good tires and i like them!!! i have a set on my ford ranger in a 235 and they work great :-D
some friends of mine where buying BigO mt's+ same tire for a higher price for their rock beaters