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 http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...B/DSC00716.jpg Next, jack truck up and support w jack stands Remove leaf Hanger bolts, shackle bolts, u-bolts and springs http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...B/DSC00720.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...B/DSC00719.jpg Loosen fuel tank and drop out of way Torch or grind rivits off of front hangers http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...B/DSC00724.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...B/DSC00725.jpg 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!:D http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...B/DSC00726.jpg 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. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...B/DSC00728.jpg I also welded one washer on the backside w a 9/16 nut welded to that. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...B/DSC00729.jpg 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 http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...B/DSC00727.jpg 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. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...B/DSC00731.jpg 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. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...B/DSC00730.jpg Put bed back on. Tighten the spring bolts noe with the full truck weight on them HOPE THIS WAS HELPFULL TO SOMEONE |
re: Chevy leaf spring "how to" for a 04
Wow!! You didnt waste any time with that man!
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re: Chevy leaf spring "how to" for a 04
Awesome howto but, as stupid as this question may be, What's the advantage of the chevy leafs?
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re: Chevy leaf spring "how to" for a 04
Moved to the How To submission section
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re: Chevy leaf spring "how to" for a 04
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re: Chevy leaf spring "how to" for a 04
can you live with the stiffer ride?
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re: Chevy leaf spring "how to" for a 04
I installed the 63" Chevy springs on a 2003 LII and the ride is not that much stiffer IF you get the 88~98 2WD C1500 springs (3 leaf plus overload = 4). IIRC, Mine were from a 96 C1500.
The springs from the K1500 4x4 (4 leaf plus overload = 5) are harsher, especially if they are from a K1500 with the Z71 Off-Road package. I wouldn't use any of the K springs on a street driven Ranger. |
re: Chevy leaf spring "how to" for a 04
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Re: Chevy leaf spring "how to" for a 04
Pics no worky :(
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Re: Chevy leaf spring "how to" for a 04
x2^^^
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Re: Chevy leaf spring "how to" for a 04
Why did you have to oblong the top rear hole?
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Re: Chevy leaf spring "how to" for a 04
also did you modify the hanger because the sleeve on the chevy spring was smaller than that of the stock ranger leaves? Use a washer that was same size as chevy sleeve diameter, to prevent slop?
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Re: Chevy leaf spring "how to" for a 04
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Re: Chevy leaf spring "how to" for a 04
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Re: Chevy leaf spring "how to" for a 04
Well I picked up the shackles today and all the bolts and bushings to do this to my truck.. damn the bolts and hardware came to 44.00 the bushings are38.00 and theshacklea were 80.00. It would have been just as expensive to buy some custom springs for 180.00
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