...Alcan 53 inch front spring swap...with new pics 3-10-10

[rob h]

I thought id post this seperate since i added some into the 52 shock thread i did in the past, this is the whole swap with 53 inch alcans. I bought a set of 53 inch front alcans custom made for a k5, they make about 6-7 inches of lift. I used 7 inch shackles and moved the shackle mount to under the front edge of the body mount. The springs are made to keep the axle basicly in the stock location if you leave the front hanger in the stock position, the center pin is set accordingly. I had to cut some of the body mount to mount these and so when they swing they dont hit. In the pics the shocks are old and too short, the shackle bolts are too long and have to be cut, the pinion angle is at zero and ill shim that soon, also the shaft is way too short and ill be taking it off. The shackles are at 10 degrees but the truck has to settle and i have to drive it some to help that. Right now it sits about 1.5 higher than my superlifts. The bumper to the groung was 37 now 38.5, taking a inch off of shackle length and it settling should bring me to where i want.

I might plate the frame with 1/4 plate and move the shackle mount hole to between the two(the stock and the new one) That should give a 30 degree shackle angle...

Heres some pics of my swap... the ground isnt level where its parked in the pics...

 

[rob h]

I thought it would have alot of body roll and ride rough since the shackle angle is only 10 degrees. But it rides real nice, as nice as my 2500hd, hopefully it settles some. The shocks, shaft and brakelines will be on shortly..

Thanks for taking the time to look at my pics and how it came out, feel free to post your imput thats much appreciated.

 

[Rebil79]

Nice looking truck you got there



Rebil

 

[rob h]

thanks, its slowly coming along...

 

[owenst7]

Why did you move the spring eye back so far?

If you ran a little more shackle angle, it would help your caster.

There is a stock application Spicer slip yoke that's an inch longer than yours and has the same splines. They're about $50 I think. My buddy at the driveline shop showed it to me, but I forgot to write down the part number. I can call him and get the number for you if it would be of any use.

 

[rob h]

It was moved like an article called long travel blazer, I moved it just to see when it settles how it would come out. Ill prob buy a new long spline 1350 shaft shortly. I hope that when it settles to get atleast 15-20 degree. I migh also plate the frame and move it forward to get 30 degrees.

Link for what i mean in long travel blazer in post # 11

 

[owenst7]

It was moved like an article called long travel blazer, I moved it just to see when it settles how it would come out. Ill prob buy a new long spline 1350 shaft shortly. I hope that when it settles to get atleast 15-20 degree. I migh also plate the frame and move it forward to get 30 degrees.

Gotcha. Mine currently is just a bit less angle than I'd like. With stock 52"s, my front eye is 3" forward of stock (axle in stock location), and the frame eye is still stock. With 6" shackles, I'd like to see maybe 10 degrees more angle to it, so I'd bet with your inch longer springs it would be just about right. I'm going to leave the frame eye in stock location so that I can still get a good angle with the axle an inch forward, but I'm going to wait till I can afford the driveline and I pick up a set of 56"s for the front.

 

[dhcomp]

I love the way your truck looks! Especially with the newer step side bed!

Now hurry up and buzz the long end of those bolts off your shackle's so you don't look like a bum, haha.

Keep it up!

 

[USSkoval]

Nice shipping label

Is the passenger shackle going to catch the header flange?

 

[rob h]

Thanks, much appreciated. Ill cut the bolts off when i do the brake lines, shims and new shocks. The bolt lengths are all cleveland brothers cat had here, all grade 8

The stepside bed i think looks better since i do have the 91 suburban rad support, The flares also help it some. I know its not the exact style but i live where the rust is so the bed was a decent choice...

 

[rob h]

The header looks like it will hit, its really 3/8 away but that might not be enough. I didnt bother removing any labels or any of that crap, its last on the list...lol. The springs settling and doing all the extras to the swap are 1st, then when it gets warm ill clean n paint everything.... thanks guys.



Idea fom above like this............
http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/brandpa...ade/index.html

 

[rob h]

I have a good friend that warrantied my old skyjacker hydros for longer nitros, I have 5 inches longer of length. They should do better than my old ones. But take a look at the 2nd pic the road there is angled but look at the shackles aimed to the center of the truck, is that normal..?...All the bolts are still tight, bushings and springs are new, i will be plating the frame and moving the shackles up and forward to achieve a better angle. These shocks are alot more firm than the others, these are real hard to move even with both hands.

I have russel brake lines coming but not sure how long to go, they are now 19, is it better to get 24 or 27....?

Diy4x shims on the way to get the pinion up some...And shortening the shackles alot.

 

[USSkoval]

That doesn't seem normal, but I haven't a clue what would cause that. They both are leaning to the inside?

 

[rob h]

Nope just that side, the trucks on a 20 degree angle and the other side front tire is on about an inch of snow. Also the beds full of snow and a full tank of gas ... I dont think thats right, maybe the rails bent. Im not sure tho, Ill have to put it on flat ground and see how bad it is. Im going to plate the frame with 1/4 plate like i said so ill have to see how it is then. Im going to shorten the shackles too. If it is bent atleast the shorter shackle wont look so bad. It has to be fixed tho so ill have to check it out.....

 

[rob h]

swap is done....

I plated the frame with 1/4 plate and covered up all the holes(stock holes and the mistake). I drilled all the holes and made the shackle angle way better, i need to move the upper shock bolt up to get more out of them. Also added diy4x 10 degree shims to get the pinion up(8 degrees now). The brakelines i used are russel 24 inch lines, which are perfect in length. The shocks have 12 inch travel, with the tabs moved at full droop ill use 11 inches of them. Heres some new pics of the progress......flexed out i had to trim the front edge the body mount, also full flexed it doesnt touch the frame either. Sits almost level (1/4 inch high up front) , 7.5 to 8 inches of lift

1st new shackle angle
2nd full droop
3rd shackle angle st full droop

 

[rob h]

Ordered a new 1350 front shaft friday from tattons, 12 inches of slip with a 1350 cv. Shock mounts ordered from diy4x for all 4 corners, should have it all togeather this week to test out and see if it was all worth it. Then its onto the bump stops and limiting straps. The new shaft and brakelines should have plenty of travel but it should have the bumps and straps just incase.

Also might get longer alcans for the rear, with my fronts being 53s i might order 54s or so for the rear since i cant move my diy4x shackle flip more rearward. That should get my ride/flex etc where i want it to be.

 

[tRustyK5]

You're gonna want some sort of a panhard up front. Alcan's are nice and soft/flexy for sure...but they also have very poor lateral stability. i did nothing but fight terrible death wobble after installing Alcan's under my '81 Jimmy. I'd had the D60 under my K5 for 5 years without death wobble previous to that too...

Rene

 

[rob h]

Ill have to look into that, ill see how it does... do you have any pics..? what did you use..?

 

[tRustyK5]

I solved the problem by parting the truck and starting over...

The instability and horrible body roll issues were the last straw. I took a long look at it after I cooled off a bit (after fighting the death wobble and spooky handling for 6 weeks) and decided a clean sheet was best There were a lot of other issues as well, mostly the bent frame.

I should have left well enough alone and stuck with the Rancho fronts and at most changed back to 52" rear springs.

Live and learn...

It sure flexxed incredibly, and the ride was super cushy/soft...but it sure came at a price. It was pretty much unstreetable...it handled like a monster truck.

Rene

 

[rob h]

Ive been driving mine around for the last couple of days and it seems to handle decent and body roll is there but not much, there are alot of twisty roads here and it seems ok. But then again everything is new, all new king pins, bushings, bearings, springs, hydro assist, etc. I might go with a set of rancho adjustables(or something of that sort) on the front for the highway driving. Right now i can do 65-70 on the interstate and run the normal speeds and so far so good. Maybe ill leave the rear springs go since it handles ok, i think if i messed with it that would make it roll hard into corners. The worst thing i think is the bias ply tire shake..lol.....anything to add..? im always looking for peoples answers and opinions...