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Old 01-12-2011, 08:11 PM
DieselBrad DieselBrad is offline
Ranger commuter
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 464
Default Chevy leaf spring "how to" for a 04

Material needed
88-98 Chevy leaf springs.( i used 4 leaf)
12 1/2" x 1.5" grade 8 bolts
24 1/2" grade 8 flat washers
12 1/2" grade 8 nuts
12 1/2" grade 8 lock washers
2 9/16" x 4.5" grade 8 bolts
2 9/16" grade 8 nuts
6 9/16" grade 8 washers
6" piece of angle iron or the like(e-brake bracket)



First.
Remove the bed(makes things alot easier

Next, jack truck up and support w jack stands

Remove leaf Hanger bolts, shackle bolts, u-bolts and springs


Loosen fuel tank and drop out of way

Torch or grind rivits off of front hangers


Knock out remainder of rivits.

Put 1/2 bolts in place of the original rear hanger rivits(this holds the 2 pieces of frame together), Dont mind that front top bolt!

You must either get a new bushing for the chevy spring to match the original ranger bolt or modify the ranger hanger, I modified the hanger,

I welded 2 grade 8 9/16" washers on the outside of the hanger.

I also welded one washer on the backside w a 9/16 nut welded to that.

Put hanger on loosely w the one lower front hole in the frame, and mark hanger where the hole needs to be oblonged.

Oblong hole on the top rear of the hanger so you can use the extisting frame holes

Bolt hanger on using the 2 front holes front the old hanger.

Drill the 2 front hanger holes using the hanger as a template(BE CAREFUL OF FUEL LINES, ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND BRAKE LINES)

Mount hanger with 1/2" hardware.

Clean all the spring bolts and bushings w a wire brush/wire wheel. And liberaly coat w antiseeze.

Install chevy springs w bolts and start nuts(but do NOT tighten)

take one end of the rear shocks off.

drop axle far enough down to get the blocks back in place, then put NEW u-bolts in.

Set truck on the axle with the truck weigh on it. Tighten u-bolts, reattach shocks(good time to replace)

Weld some sort of metal to the drivers spring hanger then attach e-brake bracket near its original location.

Put bed back on.

Tighten the spring bolts noe with the full truck weight on them

HOPE THIS WAS HELPFULL TO SOMEONE
__________________
04 Supercab 4dr 4.0 5spd 4x4 EDGE. Daily Driver
96 F350 Crewcab 460 5spd Vortech S/C 4X4 6" 35s
94 Lightning Bassani headers back CAI Underdrive Pulleys
86 F250 Reg Cab 6.9 4Spd 4x4 6" 35s (powerstoke,D60 5spd on the way)
80 F350 Reg Cab 429 C6 4x4 L&L headers F450 rear springs All Out Pulling Truck(D60 Laddered Frame, 540cid coming)

Last edited by DieselBrad; 03-12-2011 at 12:49 PM.
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