D70hd question

[Goose]

I have a '85 K30 dually with a d70hd.
The rear springs are shot and I have new one waiting to go in.

The spring u-bolts are upside down and bolt through an axle "thingy" on the bottom. This thing is rusty and bent up from hitting things.

Can I put the new u-bolts on with the radius down and use spring plates on top???

I've heard there is clearence issues doing it that way. I'm putting on a 4" lift.

Anybody do this or know how its done for sure.
I want to order everything and have it on hand before I start.

 

[JasonM]

Clearance issues? I guess I don't understand, is that between the new ubolt ends and the frame or bump stop?? You've got my attention cuz when my D70U gets back to me I'll be using DIY ubolts and spring plates...

 

[Goose]

I think between the end of the u-bolts and the frame.
I crawled around under my truck since it finally stopped raining.
It looks like there should be plenty of room once the lift kit is on.

Right now it has some monster leaf pack with overloads on also, so as it sits I can see an issue, but not after the lift and taking most of the leafs out.

Just something I read or heard along the way. Trying to avoid any problems

 

[thatK30guy]

Bruce, you can use round-bend u-bolts easily but since you have the D70HD rear, you need some u-bolt plates fabbed up to fit the 4" diameter tubes. Using 3/4 ton plates will be too narrow. I'd check into DIY4X4 and see if Kert can make you some.

 

[Goose]

Thanks Wes, I saw some spring plates on his site but wasn't sure about them.
Now I feel better about moving forward with this project.

 

[thatK30guy]

You could make your own but I wouldn't have the patience to drill 10 big holes thru a 1/2" thick steel plate.

 

[nvrenuf]

I realize mine are lift springs compared to your stock but flipping the ubolts is certainly "do-able". I used some 1/2" plates from Blue Torch Fab and got the ubolts from a local shop (3/4" dia - overkill, I know ).

(sorry for the dark pic)

 

[bigjbear]

I've got the DIY ones. No issues.

 

[Stomper]

I've got the DIY ones. No issues.

Me too

fwiw.....I have done this on my personal crewcab project.

Brett