Direction of 56's ???

[reddog64]

So i'm preparing to swap in the 56's with Kert's shackle flip next weekend...

I understand ( from searching :flipoff: ) that the 56's have the bolt hole 4 inches offset...

If i run them backwards on the 78 k5 is it going to do anything besides move the axle back 4 inches??? (I dont know if that is backwards as i dont remember which way they came out... but backwards = axle 4 inches back)
- will it affect handeling
- havent ordered rear shaft so that's no big deal...

I am also gonna do a zero rate, but probably not move it back an additional inch...

Fender trimming is already in the works...

 

[Stomis]

I'm not sure if its applicable to 56's but I was reading on pirate that some leafs are designed to be loaded a certain way IE front / rear of the spring leafs are different. I doubt it with truck springs seeing as how the entire thing should take weight but it might be something to double check.

 

[throttleissues]

Running them backwards (long end in the front) will give you a lot more axle wrap. The nice thing about having the back long and front short is extra flex without extra axle wrap. If you're looking to push the axle back that far, you might look into 62" springs and moving the shackle brackets back. I don't remember the exact offset on those, but that would give you a lot more flex if you wanted to move the axle anyway.

 

[mrk5]

I have mine installed "backwards" - long side forward - and it seems to work well. I haven't really noticed any axle wrap, at least no more than normal.

I plan to install a traction bar regardless, so that would be an alternative for anyone looking to be sure to avoid axle wrap.

 

[reddog64]

so other than some extra axle wrap.... no ill effects...?

I'd do a traction bar eventually too...

 

[boz42]

I run my 56's backwards also. It drives as it did before. I did however experience a lot of axle wrap, but my 56's are from a 1/2 ton & very soft. I am also running a 547 ci stroker & 42's so that wasn't helping the wrap either. I had to build a anti-wrap bar to correct it. After the anti-wrap bar it is no biggee. I am very happy with them.

 

[reddog64]

how much does an anti-wrap bar affect flex?

 

[boz42]

Not too bad

 

[reddog64]

56's are in, 'backwards' with zero rates pushing it back 1.5 inches further