52s front and fender trimming

[MNorby]

Built a crossmember/spring hanger/ future winch mount to move the spring hangers forward to fit 52" rear springs in the front of the 71. Also got my 60 installed and the powersteering/crossover steering box on this weekend. The crossmember is made of heavy 5" channel for the cross, 4" x 3/16 sq tube cut into C channel for the spring hanger part and the same 4"x3/16 sq cut diagonally for the uprights. It is hald to the frame with 5: 1/2" grade 8 bolts per side.

Before fender trimming
After fender trimming
Hanger, springs and 60 installed
Rough crossmember
Cleaned up crossmember bolted to frame

 

[CDA 455]

Beautiful work !

 

[RGV72BLAZER]

looks great...did you leave the rear shackle in the stock location?

 

[MNorby]

yeah, they are in the stock spot. I could move my spring back to that middle hole which is 1.25" back and get more shakle angle then put my zero rates in and move the front end forward again 1.5" too

 

[RGV72BLAZER]

thanks. i think i'll be moving my shackle forward some. i had been reading up on 52" swaps on 73+ GMs & recently realized that the shackle hangers & mounting points are a bit different. go figure, now just need to figure something out.

 

[k2-k5]

Looks very nice. Is your plan for a semi hidden winch behind a stock bumper. That is what I plan to do and it is a great idea to combine the winch mount with the crossmember. With this set-up how big a winch do you think you can fit in there?

Did you make any drawings of this crossmember.

 

[MNorby]

I didn't make any drawing but I have pics from every angle and could draw something up. I plan on a winch mounted on that channel iron that makes up the crossmember. With the 3" body lift I have 11" clearance from the crossmember to the rad support but am still going back and forth on if I wanna cut the body lift down.

 

[Beast388]

Great work!! I have a few questions for you as I am considering the 52" swap on my '71 Burb.

1. Are your 52" springs stock height or lifted?

2. How far forward did the swap move your axle?

3. What is the distance from the top of the axle tube straight up to the bottom of the frame with the weight on the tires?

Thanks in advance!

 

[MNorby]

1.yes they are stock 52 rears

2.not sure on distance moved forward because my old springs actually moved the front end rearward. My guess though would be around 2-3"

3.I'll measure next tim I go to shop