centering axle after a lift.

[bp71k5]

I added a 6" lift on the back of my k5 and the wheel is too close to the front of the truck. It's about 2" off at ride height. I heard the zero rates can move the axle 1.5" but does anyone make one that moves it 2" or more? What other options are there?

 

[55Willy]

i'd use the 1.5's you want the axle forward kinda cause when it flexes it will hit the rear of the fender.

 

[bp71k5]

Hmm, that's a good point. The zerorates are 1" high aren't they? I've already got 6" and going to seven doesn't really appeal to me. Does anyone make 1/2" spacers? Or I wonder if I can just drill a new hole in the spring perch and use that to move it? I guess I'd have to weld in some reinforcement since the the spring would be sitting off center of the axle centerline.

 

[muddybuddy]

if ur using stock length springs, the axle should be in the center of the wheelwell.

 

[sled_dog]

never herad of anyone having a the axle moved forward nearly that much after a lift install... what brand springs did you use?

 

[dremu]

I added a 6" lift on the back of my k5 and the wheel is too close to the front of the truck. It's about 2" off at ride height. I heard the zero rates can move the axle 1.5" but does anyone make one that moves it 2" or more? What other options are there?

Either move the spring mounts on the frame or change springs ... I'm presuming you used stock-replacement 52" springs? in which case the axle should be centered.

or are they springs for some other application?

-- A

 

[onetonbb74]

Drill a new center hole (kinda hard to do but will work) in the spring pack.

 

[bp71k5]

I got 2" tuff country springs and an ORD shakle flip. I may need to remeasure once I get the front tires back on so maybe 1.5" will be enough. I think they are still 52" springs, although the shakleflip supposedly moves the rear spring mount forward 1" to get a better shakle angle (or some other reason I don't know about)

 

[MarcS]

[FONT=Arial,Bold]

Your springs are on wrong !!!!!​

[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold]

[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold]

This is right from the Tuff Country installation manual:​

INSTALLATION MANUAL​

2”, 3” OR 4” FRONT AND REAR
SPRING SUSPENSION SYSTEM
CHEVY PICKUP & BLAZER 1/2 TON
1973 —– 1987
PART # 14711​

Special Note: The new rear springs have an off set
centering bolt, the longer end of the spring needs to
be installed towards the rear of the vehicle.​

[/FONT]

 

[bp71k5]

Yea, I saw that too. The longer end is toward the rear, I only found a 1/4" offset at most. Probably closer to 1/8".

 

[MarcS]

Yea, I saw that too. The longer end is toward the rear, I only found a 1/4" offset at most. Probably closer to 1/8".

I remember when I did my lift, it was easier to eyeball the longer side then to measure it.

Hey, if the trucks still in the air, switch them and see if it makes a difference.
I had to go up and down 3 times to get the K5 saggy ass leveled out and its still off a inch. Sucks to have to do, but it had to be done.

 

[nstarry]

I dont get it!! I just went out and staired at my rig and i can not see how you got that far foward ? does your pinoin aim at the floor ?? (hehe)

 

[bp71k5]

I wish I could tell you. it's only 2" off center at most. Do you have a chakle flip? The front is a little lower because it's on jack stands, so maybe that will change how much it looks off. Or maybe I just didn't measure very accurately. It's a good thing I asked. If no one else has this problem, maybe I need to remeasure or something.

 

[MarcS]

No, i dont have a flip. 4" TC EZ rides w/ Pro comp helper and a zero rate, still sags. Dont know what else to tell you. Sorry I couldnt help more.

 

[RootBreaker]

[FONT=Arial,Bold]

Your springs are on wrong !!!!!​

[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold]
[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold]

[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Bold]

This is right from the Tuff Country installation manual:​

INSTALLATION MANUAL​

2”, 3” OR 4” FRONT AND REAR
SPRING SUSPENSION SYSTEM
CHEVY PICKUP & BLAZER 1/2 TON
1973 —– 1987
PART # 14711​

Special Note: The new rear springs have an off set
centering bolt, the longer end of the spring needs to
be installed towards the rear of the vehicle.​

[/FONT]

haahaaa haa... I had a professional lift my truck in 1997 with 12" leafs... just due to nj having strict lift laws.. now that they changed the laws and the guy screwed me over on lifting my truck I do all my work myself...

so you are saying that this guy that does this stuff for a living put mine on backards.... great.....

my truck after got back from him (minus my 3" body lift)

lard ass in the pic is whom screwed me over

I brought the truck down to NJ legal height...

this is how I fixed my axle offset issue....

 

[MarcS]

haahaaa haa... I had a professional lift my truck in 1997 with 12" leafs... just due to nj having strict lift laws.. now that they changed the laws and the guy screwed me over on lifting my truck I do all my work myself...

so you are saying that this guy that does this stuff for a living put mine on backards.... great.....

Thats pretty far forward in that pic.
I got the TC manual right off their website and copied the info here.
Thats pretty bad if thats what he did.

 

[bp71k5]

Actually, if i think about it, if you put the longer half of the spring towards the rear, the axle would be even more forward than if you flipped it around. i checked mine and they seems alomst the same size of each half of the center bolt. Mine are only 2" springs though, so maybe higher lift springs have more offset?