Anyone ever do this?

[GreenieK30]

If that were my truck I would do a u-bolt flip, make my own 1/2" top plates for about $10, make my own boxed in 1/4" wall perches for about $20, and get some 9/16" u-bolts for $50 at the local spring shop along with new center pins for $5. You can toss those crappy (aluminum?) shims when you weld on new perches.

 

[Doc Feel Good]

I would say to replace them.

But you should always check your suspension. I put a lift on my rig, drove it for a week, tighten the bolts... and a month later checked again...

but I am crazy about squeeks, and I was on the hunt...

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Honestly, looking back at your pics the perches don't look too bad. New ones run $40 or so and require cutting those ones off and welding the new ones on (and making sure the axle is centered and that the pinion angle is right, etc.).

However, one thing no one has mentioned (and may have contributed to this) is that there is no top plate on top of the spring, I believe there is supposed to be a cast iron plate on top of the leaf spring and that the u-bolts aren't supposed to directly touch the spring.

 

[four_by_ken]

If that were my truck I would do a u-bolt flip, make my own 1/2" top plates for about $10, make my own boxed in 1/4" wall perches for about $20, and get some 9/16" u-bolts for $50 at the local spring shop along with new center pins for $5. You can toss those crappy (aluminum?) shims when you weld on new perches.

I agree with this.

I cant see the pictures as it seems the links are no longer valid.

 

[Pizza_Man]

I cant see the pictures as it seems the links are no longer valid.

alright, i fixed the links.
and i'm thinking of just building up some steel where the perches are supposed to be, and grind the new metal into shape, as my budget can't tolerate any spending, really (no job).

 

[79rustyk10]

Honestly, looking back at your pics the perches don't look too bad. New ones run $40 or so and require cutting those ones off and welding the new ones on (and making sure the axle is centered and that the pinion angle is right, etc.).

However, one thing no one has mentioned (and may have contributed to this) is that there is no top plate on top of the spring, I believe there is supposed to be a cast iron plate on top of the leaf spring and that the u-bolts aren't supposed to directly touch the spring.

I was just thinking the exact same thing. and isnt that truck supposed to have the U bolts that bolt on above the springs, not below the spring pack?

 

[blazin_blazer]

thats how the u-bolts were on the 1ton i stripped..& there was a plate over top of the springs altho not cast but a stamped steel 3/16th'' plate up top...and those bottom plates were packed w/rust bad..so bad after taking it apart you can feel where the axle tube has lost some metal due to all the rust..i think the u-bolts w/nuts up top is alot better design