some build up pics of my '75 rock crawler

Nice looking project man, I gotta come over inperson an check it out. Let me know if you need anything!

Whats up with the taillights? Why did you use GM springs?

the GM rears are 63" long and are way more common than the late model dodge springs. paid $43 for the pair. the tailights were like that when i bought it. guess the previous owner was tired of bashing out the original tailights. dont worry, that bed wont last long.

racerdave, you should come by sometime and check it out. 272-6938. i'll be around saturday afternoon if ya want to come by. later - brian

FULLSIZE said:

the GM rears are 63" long and are way more common than the late model dodge springs. paid $43 for the pair.

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Was that 43 bucks brand new? How much more arch do those have than the stock Dodge ones?

there not new. i got them from a local pull it yourself wrecking yard. another benefit is they come from 88 or newer trucks, so the bushings and springs are usually in really good shape. when i laid the springs next to the stockers with the arch up, there was 5" difference between them. enough to ditch the factory block and have a 1" lift. then goin under the frame netted me the other 4" or so i was going for. i'll have more pics by next week with it sitting on wheels and tires

Looks like a good project. Keep us updated.

i'll try to get more pics this weekend. thanks for the words of encouragement guys.

more pics in a couple weeks. funds are getting tight near the holiday. bah humbug

I am going to purchase chevy springs like you did. I have a couple of questions if you don't mind.

How many leaves does yours have? What type of truck are they from? I have been searching for 88-98 Chevy 1/2 ton 4x4 rear springs, but I notice they have many different types, just want to make sure I get the ones that do provide a little lift like yours did.

unfortunately, I have not found any as cheap as you found yours. Seems most are in the 70 buck range for the pair, even had one dumbass yard tell me 100 bucks.

i accually scored for my set. $100 is about the goin rate, but if ya hold out you can probably find a set in a pull it yourself type yard for cheaper.

the spring packs i got came from a '89 3/4 ton truck. they have 5 leafs and an overload. one word of caution when you swap to them. there is alot more body roll when you inboard them under the frame. with that said, GET IT!!

Are the 1/2 tons and 3/4 tons the same? I want alot of flex, I am going with a 3/4 Elliptic setup in the rear. Do yours compress well, meanning not real stiff? I know some 1/2tons have 6leaves for the HD setup. Guess I would want to stay away from those. Mine are going outside the frame rails. Thanks for the info!

Do I smell a "How-To" post?

as soon as i get some testing done i could post a how to. i dont want to pump up something i haven't even tested.

Are the 1/2 tons and 3/4 tons the same? I want alot of flex, I am going with a 3/4 Elliptic setup in the rear. Do yours compress well, meanning not real stiff? I know some 1/2tons have 6leaves for the HD setup. Guess I would want to stay away from those. Mine are going outside the frame rails. Thanks for the info!

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if your goin outside the frame, i would go with the half ton springs(4 leaf + the overload). this should work good, but the secret to getting good(useable) flex is the shackle length. a longer shackle will let the spring grow and shrink as it goes through droop and compression. if you use a rear spring front hanger in the rear(shackle flipped) and build a long shackle, i think you'd like it.

i would recommend against using a 3/4 elleptic set up as when you hit it, the buggy leaf or link on the shackle end will pull away fromt he frame and cause axle wrap. i chained my buggy leafs to the frame right on the rubicon to eleminate the wrap it was so bad. just my .02

I will have the flex, what I am aiming for now is the height. I can cure the axle wrap prob, that won't be a big deal.

I have even considering going with shackles front and rear, and using a locating setup, which would eliminate axle wrap and give me very good flex. Not sure yet, first need to get the springs. So do you know if the 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton are the same? Will the 1/2 ton provide the same lift you got?

i'm sure the 1/2 ton springs are softer, only 4 leafs compared to 5. not sure the lift you'll get with the 1/2 ton springs plus going under the frame gave me some free lift. you could use GM hangers from the front of the rear springs. they hang down about 4" lower than a stock dodge one.

Actually the 3/4 elliptical setup will net me some lift, and if I need more I will make my front spring hanger.

I ended up gettings a set of rear springs out of a late model 4x4 Suburban. Sitting on the ground, arched up they are as tall as my 6" front springs, just longer. They are the 4 leaf with one overload. I can also add an extra leaf in there from my stock springs if I wanted too.

Thanks for the help, I will probably be starting on this in the next couple of weeks.

some updated pics:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=104389

hope you enjoy.

thnaks. should be gettin it by next month. gotta snow run to do at the end of january.