The 56" front springs are hung!

[DPI]

Here are the pics from the install.

First thing I found is you have to extend the frame horn to adequately bolt the spring mount to the frame. The foremost lower bolt hits right at the end of the frame when you move the mount. I cut and welded a piece on the side and a piece on the lower part of the frame. Simple fix to make this right.



Here's the outside of the frame. It cleaned up nicely. Now I have a place to bolt bumper brackets.




Here's the rear shackle with no weight on the spring. I have a jack stand under the frame and the axle is not attached to the spring. It is just free hanging...



Here's a pic of the shackle compressed with the weight of the K5 sitting on the spring.




The shackles were made from 3" x 3/8" flat bar. The distance between holes is 7.25".

 

[sled_dog]

what you going to do with the shackle? I mean if thats ride height compression will be hitting the frame.

 

[DPI]

I don't think the spring eye will hit the frame. There is a good 2" between the spring eye and the frame. The spring in the picture is almost flat. Once the spring is flat, the spring eye can not get any closer to the frame, right?

In addition, I will be adding some leaves from a 6" lift, 52" rear springs when they arrive. This will do two things. It will arch the spring and reduce the shackle angle and it will stiffen up the springs so they can not compress as much.

 

[sled_dog]

so you are going to 52" 6" lift springs? That should drastically change the angle.

 

[DPI]

I am going to use some of the leaves out of the 52" leaf pack, but keep the 56" main leaf from the 56" pack.

I only netted about 3"-4" of lift with the 56" springs.

 

[white-rhyno]

I am going to use some of the leaves out of the 52" leaf pack, but keep the 56" main leaf from the 56" pack.

I only netted about 3"-4" of lift with the 56" springs.

Good work.
That looks nice. I cut some out of the body mount thinking my shackle would hit. It never comes close. I added one leaf from a 6" bds pack. Picked it up a little, and it actually rode nicer.

 

[DPI]

Thanks for your help. You provided the information I needed to do this in your responses to other posts.

 

[divorced]

That looks nice, it should flex well!

 

[white-rhyno]

Thanks for your help. You provided the information I needed to do this in your responses to other posts.

No prob

 

[Mudgod]

Pinion Angle Correction

I working on the same swap in. Thanks for the pics and the info. on the frame. I thought my frame had been altered before I bought it! Now I know how to fix it. Something I want to ask you about is the pinion angle. Because of where the center on the 56" springs the pinion angle will be lower. Are you planning on using any shims? and what sizes (deg.) will work best for this spring?

 

[OL14BLAZ]

Looking good Daniel, can't wait to see those rockies under her!

 

[DPI]

I am not sure about the shims at this point. I am using 2.5 ton Rockwell axles under this project. With the square axle tube, the Rockwell uses a removable spring perch that has a built in slope. It may be 2-4*, I am not sure. But with the top loader design of the Rockwell, the pinion angle will not be as noticable as with a normal diff.

The pinion angle will be dependent on the amount of lift you will have. With the stock 56" springs from a 3/4 ton Suburban, they have almost zero arch at ride height. If I were to keep them this way, you could likely get away with no shims. The more arch you have in the spring the more shim angle you will need to correct the pinion angle.

I will take some more pics as I get thru this project.

I working on the same swap in. Thanks for the pics and the info. on the frame. I thought my frame had been altered before I bought it! Now I know how to fix it. Something I want to ask you about is the pinion angle. Because of where the center on the 56" springs the pinion angle will be lower. Are you planning on using any shims? and what sizes (deg.) will work best for this spring?

 

[DPI]

Thanks Eric. I finally tore into the front Rockwell yesterday. I found that I lucked out and got the "good" front that uses the ujoints in the axle shafts.

If all goes well, I should have the spiders welded up, the pan shaved, and the axle stabbed in a week or two. It's fun working around my families schedule...

Looking good Daniel, can't wait to see those rockies under her!

 

[nvrenuf]

Looking good,dude! I like the frame addition, it's less than I thought you were going to have to do.


I am jealous though... you're actually making progress.

 

[DPI]

Yeah, making a little progress.

But we both have a LONG way to go...

Looking good,dude! I like the frame addition, it's less than I thought you were going to have to do.


I am jealous though... you're actually making progress.

 

[DPI]

I installed my 4" lift 56" springs over the weekend. And now I have a delima. The rear sits about 9" taller than stock with stock 63" springs from a '99 3/4 ton Chevy truck and an ORD 4" shackle flip...

The front is sitting about 12" taller with 4" - 56" Pro Comp springs with the overload and the lowest/shortest spring removed. Now I am not sure what to do. Currently there are 4 leafs left in the pack. I sold my stock 56" springs before I could actully bolt them up with the axle installed...

I can't find an 56" rear lift spring with 2" of lift... Anybody know who makes such a thing? Will I have to make my own?

 

[OL14BLAZ]

I can't find an 56" rear lift spring with 2" of lift... Anybody know who makes such a thing?

Alcan Spring will make you anything you want.

 

[perp]

I got 4" lift 56" rears from superlift, maybe they have 2" springs too.

 

[DPI]

I got 4" lift 56" rears from superlift, maybe they have 2" springs too.

Already talked to them. The lowest lift they have is 4" in the 56" spring.

 

[DPI]

Alcan Spring will make you anything you want.

Yeah, but I am trying to go the free to cheap route...