Front SOA with add a leaf question

[Glenn_tx]

Okay, I did the front SOA yesterday and today I put RiverBeast's rear lift/shackle deal on today. Everything went well.
I have that heavy Ranch Hand deal, about 130 lbs, hanging off the front of the truck and would like to raise the front another 2" or so. I have an extra set of AAL's and was wondering if putting these on would cause contact between the tie rod and spring. Anyone have any first hand experience with this setup? Thanks in advance.
Glenn

[porkchop]

I am running this setup. The spring is no where near my tie rod on my wag. I am running the original 67 springs with the AAL's and SOA. You shouldn't have a problem.

[Glenn_tx]

Thanks, I didn't measure but the tie rod looked like it was about an inch or two from the spring. Is your front axle closed knuckle? I had a 67 Commando that was, can't remember if the tie rods are located in the same arrangement.

[River Beast]

You can also use GM 3/4T rear shackles....that's what I am running.. they are a bit wide but the center bushing pins can be narrowed and 9/16" washers as spacers at the spring end so you don't pinch the shackle to the spring... it may look like 2" but maybe not that much.

any Pics yet?... how did the install go?

[porkchop]

I am running a 79 D44 front and rear. The only reason I mentioned the 67 springs is because the spring center bolt sits a little further back on the 67 springs. This is why I had to go go SOA. The springs caused the drag link to hit the tierod.

[Glenn_tx]

Todd, the install went well. On the forward rear spring brackets, I cut off the ears, ground the tops smooth, and welded the new bracket directly underneath the existing bracket. Accounts for some of the extra hieght in the rear. Just need to figure out what I'm going to do about shocks. I probably just upgrade to some longer ones instead of moving the brackets.

[River Beast]

Rancho RS5012's are the longest and I recommend them.... I will be running these soon.

Relocation of mounts is recommended with these to take FULL advantage of the travel 19-33"

[Glenn_tx]

Good deal, I'll give'em a look.

[porkchop]

If you can swing it go with the RS9012's. Same length as the 5012's but give a better ride. The 5000's are stiff on the raod but work pretty good off road.

[RamJetFSJ]

Guys, Just so you know, Rancho just came out with two new long travel shocks, longer than the 5012/9012. Theve got a 14" travel and a 15" travel, 5034 and 5036 I believe. Check out there site, its under new stuff.

Ben

[porkchop]

You shouldn't have told me that LOL!!!! :D :D

[Hump]

Hey Todd, I did the chevy rear shackle thing up front like you did, and I only got maybe a 1/2" with stock springs soa. Is that just because of my J20 setup, or are there different shackles?

[River Beast]

The GM shackles are only 1.5" longer than stock.. so you can only get .75" from them.

If you want more.... get the lowering shackles from summit... but be carefull of throwing off the caster on the front end too far....

[Hump]

If I do more it won't be with shackles, because my caster is probably already messed up. Thanks though for the clarification.

[Sambo]

i made good use of my sway bar brackets...now shock mounts :) glenn when we get together i'll bring pics!!!