73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Topic started by: redle144 on March 18, 2015, 06:25:25 pm
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So i have Mickey Thompson 33x19.50x15 with 15x14 wheels with 9.5 inch backspacing so I dont have to narrow the rearend. I have the bed off. Im about to move the leaf springs inboard either directly under the frame or inside the frame rails and add a flip kit. Has anyone done this with some pics on how they boxed the frame or moved the spring hangers? It has a mild 350 so its basically for show. Not drag racing.
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You will have to box the frame opposite of where the hangers mount and the best method is to just swap the outside left to the inside right.
This is the best pic I have...
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If your going to switch sides, I feel there is a much better way than shown on the Red truck. Although, I'm not generally a fan of cutting a frame, it is a better way to go in this case. Look how far in the springs are for no reason...this can be eliminated by making 4 notches on the bottom lip of the frame where the hangers go. No need for any plates (or really any welding), no need to even drill a hole...just carefully cut the lip contoured around the shape of the hanger until it sits flat on the inside of the frame...use the same holes to bolt them back on & weld the lip to the flat areas of the hanger making it stronger than they were originally.
This keeps the springs outboard (about 6" total) more for better stability, leaves you more room for the shocks (also out farther) & more room for mufflers, fuel cell, ect.
I'd assume to get "the right look", your going to be doing a flip & frame notch anyway...so 4 more little chuncks cut won't hurt. Lorne
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At this point, it might be easier/better and not much more expensive to go with a 4 link.
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I got the springs mounted inside the frame and drove it down the road with with normal tires and it drives the same. Took me about 4 hours. Would've taken me about 2 if I had a cutting torch and new U-bolts. They were a bit rusty.
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Just like that, however the back notching could be quite a bit smaller. A 8.5 out of a '70's-early '80's Camaro would put your wheels better centered "on the cheap" & can be found with a 3.42 with a posi.
What did you do for shock mounts? Lorne
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The shocks bolted on to the stock mounts.
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If i'm allowed to link to another forum, there are some more/detailed pics.
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do it stew. if the site isnt allowed it wont show up. theres only one that i know of
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http://www.gmsquarebody.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12405
If you're going for the pro street look then i can understand. But i still feel if you're going racing AND you're going through all this work, it would probably be better to go with a 3-link or 4-link suspension.
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I got rally wheels made with 9 inch offset. drives great.
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It's a pretty stock engine. I just did this for the cool factor. Cost 1/3 of a actual narrowed rear end.
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Well, you work fast. That's for sure.