New post for the 52" front spring swap...lots-o-pictures again...

[Zeus33rd]

New post for the 52\" front spring swap...lots-o-pictures again...

Figured it was time for a new thread about this...ALOT of pictures in the old one.

Old compared to the new..

Flexed..

Un-flexed, no weight on the springs..

I used the tractor to put some weight on the springs. I dunno how "correct" this is...Didn't really feel like tryin to stack a bunch of $hit on the frame to test it. Put pressure on it till the front tires on the tractor came off the ground.

This is what the shackle looked like with the tractor pushin on it..

It seems to me that this will work out fine. lol, It's gonna have to, I do NOT feel like makin another set of shackles. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

This shot is pretty cool, gotta love the Hypertherm 900. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

And my best friend makin an ass of himself..

/forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif

 

[84gmcjimmy]

Re: New post for the 52\" front spring swap...lots-o-pictures again...

Nice pics /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif I'm doing the same thing with the blazer when I get around to doing it /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

 

[Poohbair]

Re: New post for the 52\" front spring swap...lots-o-pictures again...

How long did you make your shackles from hole to hole?

 

[Zeus33rd]

Re: New post for the 52\" front spring swap...lots-o-pictures again...

The ones I made today are 6" center to center. The first set were 4". They caused the spring to bottom out on the frame. As you can see, not a problem now. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[m j]

Re: New post for the 52\" front spring swap...lots-o-pictures again...

looks like you get to move the shackle mount forward
then it will really ride nice
wait til you get engine in it before moving
it is a 1 hr job with your tools so no biggie
actually faster if you use the plasma to burn the frame

 

[Zeus33rd]

Re: New post for the 52\" front spring swap...lots-o-pictures again...

Move the shackle mount forward....I assume this is to kick the shackle angle back a bit more? I know that it should/could be angled back a bit more...Hmmm...How far forward? There are, IIRC, 4 bolts/rivits that hold the mount thing on right? Would I just move it forward to use the front to holes, and drill 2 more? I can't remember right now what the area looks like, so I might have that a bit confusing.... /forums/images/graemlins/thinking.gif

 

[camok10]

Re: New post for the 52\" front spring swap...lots-o-pictures again...

lookin good /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif

 

[m j]

Re: New post for the 52\" front spring swap...lots-o-pictures again...

[ QUOTE ]
Would I just move it forward to use the front to holes, and drill 2 more

[/ QUOTE ]

yup, in my case because of the angle of the frame I could use 1 of the existing and redrill 3 bolt holes

 

[micah]

Re: New post for the 52\" front spring swap...lots-o-pictures again...

[ QUOTE ]
Move the shackle mount forward....I assume this is to kick the shackle angle back a bit more? I know that it should/could be angled back a bit more...Hmmm...How far forward? There are, IIRC, 4 bolts/rivits that hold the mount thing on right? Would I just move it forward to use the front to holes, and drill 2 more? I can't remember right now what the area looks like, so I might have that a bit confusing.... /forums/images/graemlins/thinking.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

good news... its actually quite easy to move the shackle point forward in the frame... you just use one of the forward hole and dril the other 3. I used a hole saw for the center section.

bad news... if you move your shackle point forward in the frame, you get to go for round 3 in making another set of shackles. I made mine 7 1/4" which seems be about as short as you can go before your spring eye starts getting into the frame again.

 

[uglychevyZZ4]

Re: New post for the 52\" front spring swap...lots-o-pictures again...

here is the pic that worries me, I did this last year at evans creek and snapped that bolt, went home with the spring ratchet strapped to the frame rail/forums/images/graemlins/doah.gif do you think you may suffer the same?

 

[pseudonym]

Re: New post for the 52\" front spring swap...lots-o-pictures again...

carry a spare bolt if it worries you
I have broken that bolt as well
not a big deal

 

[micah]

Re: New post for the 52\" front spring swap...lots-o-pictures again...

I upgraded to 1/2 inch grade 8 at the frame and 9/16 grade 8's in the spring eyes. the stock front bolts are only 7/16's at the shackle.

 

[white-rhyno]

Re: New post for the 52\" front spring swap...lots-o-pictures again...

Or, punch the sleeves out and run a 5/8's bolt..... works great. Just cant overtighten them