Hypothetical question about dropped spring hangars....

[4x4shortbed]

I haven't decided to do this or not do it yet, just wanted to see what you guys think. I've seen dropped leaf spring mounts as a kit from Sky Manufacturing and alot of homebuilt jobs online. My big fat question is assuming that the welding was top notch and the area was plated to death(so no failure of the modification itself), would there be any adverse effects from dropping the springs mounting point 4" or 6"(I seen one online with 8"dropped hangars!). This not a trail truck, just my DD + a little muddin' & gravel roads. I'm planning the 52" front spring swap & figured that if it wasn't going to make my truck handle like butt or tip over, I might drop them down since I'll have it all apart anyway. BTW, the swaybar will be used on road with ORD disconnects. So whats your guy's non-flame-me take on this mod?(isn't it funny that if you post a question online you have to have THAT disclaimer!lol)

Later- John

 

[blazinzuk]

If its done well with bracing and such its fine. You will hit the dropped hangers in the front on EVERYTHING though. At least it will probably feel like every thing

 

[4x4shortbed]

Yeah, I didn't think about that. I think I might try it out, I'll see when I get it all apart. Anyone know how to figure out the shackle? Isn't there some kind of simple math to figure out how much longer the shackle has to be for X amount of lift? Also, what would be the max length a shackle can be safely? I may have to build dropped shackle mounts too........

Thanks- John

 

[55Willy]

how much lift and what size tires you planning for?
my roommate has stock 52's up front with 37's, the only change i would do would be a longer shackle to get the full travel out of the front springs. but then the rig would need the rear lifted to keep it level which is why we haven't changed anything.

 

[blazinzuk]

Well if you dropped them 4" then the shackle would need to be 4" longer to get 4" of lift. I don't know how long the stock shackles are but 4" might be alright. It would need to be made of 3/8s and probably have a crossbar in it though.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

This not a trail truck, just my DD + a little muddin' & gravel roads. I'm planning the 52" front spring swap & figured that if it wasn't going to make my truck handle like butt or tip over, I might drop them down since I'll have it all apart anyway.

Soft springs on a highly lifted rig (you have to be talking about 8"+) is dangerous on the street. IMO, if you really want that much lift for a street truck 52's/56's aren't for you. Get lift springs and take it easy.

So whats your guy's non-flame-me take on this mod?(isn't it funny that if you post a question online you have to have THAT disclaimer!lol)

We're not here to flame you, we're here to keep people from doing stuff that they shouldn't and push them towards a better direction for their builds.

Forums like this one have likely kept tons of bad ideas off of the road which is unquestionably a good thing

If they're done right, drops spring hangers should be plenty strong.

 

[4x4shortbed]

I know you guys are here to help. It was kinda "tounge in cheek" 'cause I see that all the time, people saying "please don't flame me!". Sorry, I really didn't mean to come off seriously. Thats why I added the lol!

I wanted to lift it up & would like to run up to 40" tires(I usually buy good used tires from other local 4wheelers, so I never know ahead of time what I might end up with. 35-40") and thought that dropped hangers + the 4-5"s from the 52's would be enough. Probly would be, but I got to thinkin' about your comment about soft springs & a big lift. That wouldn't be a good combo. But I could add one or two xtra leaves to stiffen it up. So that would take care of the squishy spring problem, right? I know the 52" spring swap is usually wanted for it's flex as much as it's price(free), but I'm looking for cheap lift for a street/dirt truck & flex isn't much of an issue. BTW, I'll have front & rear leaf packs from my Blazer and one parts 3/4 Ton 4X4 PU to work with, so I'll have plenty of "add-a-leafs"!

I really appreciate the guidance, I may have tried it only to crap my pants the first time I turned a corner!

Thanks- John

 

[blazin_blazer]

still be hittin dropped mounts on stuff, so why not raise body mount brackets, the same way your talking about dropping spring mount...
































then again, you could always just stack a couple of frames

 

[4x4shortbed]

No stacked frames!!!!!!!! When was a kid I seen a truck at some event with two frames. I thought it was "wicked". But not now. Not ever!

I don't think I'll do raised body mounts, from the side the body might look too thick. Thanks for the imput guys. I think I need to think some more..............Ok, brain hurts.

Later- John