Another case of wrapped 57's...

[KRAZIE87K5]

Another case of wrapped 57\'s...

Just figured that I'd drop a quick post to let folks know that I thrashed a set of Ford 57's on the first time out this past weekend at the Badlands Offroad park in Indiana. Got so bad at one point that I used a set of vise grips to clamp the pack together to help it not wrap. PICS of what they look like after the trip:

Now the question is - when I go hunting for a new set of springs at the yard, what is my best choice? My current thought is 3/4 ton 56" leafs from a late 80's Burban. Sound about right? I've already got the Echobit flip and 6" shackles as well.

Ideas?

Thanks!
-Dan

 

[Poohbair]

Re: Another case of wrapped 57\'s...

That sucks. I have been wheelin' my 57's HARD for over a year now and have had no problems at all.

 

[KRAZIE87K5]

Re: Another case of wrapped 57\'s...

I don't know if its the tire size, the doubler, or what it is... but they bent up real quick. Ah well... hopefully I'll have better luck with the 56's. /forums/images/graemlins/weld.gif

 

[HarryH3]

Re: Another case of wrapped 57\'s...

Dan, you can also find the 56's under some 3/4-ton pickups. I just grabbed a set last week to replace the sagging 1/2-ton 56's under my '90 Suburban. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[KRAZIE87K5]

Re: Another case of wrapped 57\'s...

What year did you pull yours from? I looked over a few the last time I went to the yard, and all I could find in PU's were either 52" or 63" packs... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

-Dan

 

[jjlaughner]

Re: Another case of wrapped 57\'s...

DAHMN! Glad I've got 56's sitting in the garage waiting to go in. What I done was removed the top leaf of the old 52" pack and used the top two leaves of the 56" pack... WHALA 1/2ton 56" pack /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
old top leaf and new top leaves pic #2 closeup of front and rear eyes, also of trimmed leaf
You could turn the top 2 leaves around to either get a stock offset or 3" offset. Since I'm using the echobit flip and I already have a longer driveshaft for a taller lift I flipped the leaves to where its going to place the axle back 3.5" (then minus an 1" for the flip /forums/images/graemlins/thinking.gif) I could redrill the pack or use a zerorate if I needed a little more lift. another offset pic

As soon as I put a couple bucks in my pocket I'm going to find some cheap 6" shackles and ubolts and put my lift on. So it could be a couple months before I get to test them out. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[KRAZIE87K5]

Re: Another case of wrapped 57\'s...

I think I'm just going to run the 3/4 ton spring for awhile... we'll see how it effects my flex. I really just want to be able to hammer on the gas and not worry about tearing the rear axle out.

 

[jjlaughner]

Re: Another case of wrapped 57\'s...

I think there is about the same # of leaves in both packs maybe a couple more in the 56"pack and leaves are a little thicker.

There are some 56" 1/2ton burbs also...

 

[HarryH3]

Re: Another case of wrapped 57\'s...

[ QUOTE ]
There are some 56" 1/2ton burbs also...

[/ QUOTE ]
But most of them have sagged to the point of being about useless. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif That's why I'm stepping up to the 3/4-ton springs on my '90 Sub.

 

[84gmcjimmy]

Re: Another case of wrapped 57\'s...

Does flipping the spring leafs around really move the axle back how ever many inches /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[jjlaughner]

Re: Another case of wrapped 57\'s...

[ QUOTE ]
Does flipping the spring leafs around really move the axle back how ever many inches /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

only if your using the 56" top leaf in place of the 52" like I did. Click on the links above for pics.
The 56" and 52" springs are the same length from the front eye to the center pin... that makes the 56" spring 4" longer in the back. If you use them like I did, then yes it can move your axle back. I believe the 52" springs the center pic is centered, the 56" springs the center pin is not. Both are 26" from the front spring eye.

 

[84gmcjimmy]

Re: Another case of wrapped 57\'s...

OOOOH /forums/images/graemlins/peace.gif I get it now...So I replace the top 52" leaf with the top 56" spring to move it backwards? Interesting /forums/images/graemlins/woot.gif

 

[imiceman44]

Re: Another case of wrapped 57\'s...

[ QUOTE ]
OOOOH /forums/images/graemlins/peace.gif I get it now...So I replace the top 52" leaf with the top 56" spring to move it backwards? Interesting /forums/images/graemlins/woot.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Or you can use the 56" spring complete.

 

[BadDog]

Re: Another case of wrapped 57\'s...

[ QUOTE ]
OOOOH /forums/images/graemlins/peace.gif I get it now...So I replace the top 52" leaf with the top 56" spring to move it backwards? Interesting /forums/images/graemlins/woot.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
But there are significant geometry issues when you flip the springs. I'm running flipped 57s. I've been through 4 sets in 2 years... Going coils (hopefully) before the latest set dies on me... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Anti-wrap will help the longevity quite a bit.

 

[Z3PR]

Re: Another case of wrapped 57\'s...

[ QUOTE ]
Just figured that I'd drop a quick post to let folks know that I thrashed a set of Ford 57's on the first time out this past weekend at the Badlands Offroad park in Indiana. Got so bad at one point that I used a set of vise grips to clamp the pack together to help it not wrap. PICS of what they look like after the trip:

Now the question is - when I go hunting for a new set of springs at the yard, what is my best choice? My current thought is 3/4 ton 56" leafs from a late 80's Burban. Sound about right? I've already got the Echobit flip and 6" shackles as well.

Ideas?

Thanks!
-Dan

[/ QUOTE ] Is that what they call built Ford tuff ??? /forums/images/graemlins/whistling.gif

 

[SS66]

Re: Another case of wrapped 57\'s...

[/ QUOTE ] Is that what they call built Ford tuff ??? /forums/images/graemlins/whistling.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

/forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif

 

[BadDog]

Re: Another case of wrapped 57\'s...

Well, I supose they could do like the 52" GMs and just sit there, stiff as a board, until they eventually break... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif "Like a Rock!" /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif

 

[84gmcjimmy]

Re: Another case of wrapped 57\'s...

[ QUOTE ]
Well, I supose they could do like the 52" GMs and just sit there, stiff as a board, until they eventually break... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif "Like a Rock!" /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

/forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif

 

[JK5]

Re: Another case of wrapped 57\'s...

[ QUOTE ]
Well, I supose they could do like the 52" GMs and just sit there, stiff as a board, until they eventually break... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif "Like a Rock!" /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

My 52's aren't broken...
I don't SEE any reason why 57" springs would benefit...
there isn't many DRY ROCKS around here...

When I went wheeling with Dan...
I saw nice rear flex...but at the same time...
I saw axle-rap out the ass!!!

Since traction isn't as good out here...
busting a set of 57" springs is more likely...
from tire-spin...then braking a set of 52"s...
from too much flex...just ask Dan!!!
Just my .02!!! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[BadDog]

Re: Another case of wrapped 57\'s...

Sure, but with big tires and gear reduction/power, leaf springs are rather challenged to control wrap anyway (even 52s, but they will typically do better than longer) especially if you have blocks. Add an anti-wrap bar and you have fixed that problem for any spring so you can get the rate/flex you want without sacrificing for axle wrap control (which leafs are notoriously bad for). And as for breaking 52s, I've been seeing broken 52s for most of my life. I saw them back in AL with the muddy hill climbs and trails and I've seen quite a few more of them out here in the rocks. My son's K5 which had never been wheeled hard at all had both 52" rears broken when we got it.