A pair of 74's...

[johncharlesb]

More fighting of the rivets tonight - but I got all the ones I was fighting with out finally. I kind of have a "system" as well - but these ones needed an extra step added. They just take FOREVER and it gets annoying. I'm done with rivets for a while now, but in a few weeks I'll attack another section and do some more until I get annoyed again. Then take another break then do more. And repeat until the evil bastards are all gone!

I started looking at relocating the stock hangers for the 64" deavers and I realized the stock hangers won't fit the military wrap on the deavers. I'm now deciding whether I want to be cool and make my own hangers or smart and buy some prefab (GMR maybe) ones????

Here's a quick photo with the frame rails stripped and the fuel cell bladder generally in place. It will move up an inch or 2 but it's close. Now I have to order the aluminum to make the can for the thing....

I dont know if you are planning on using GMR hangers for a Chevy or Ford.
The GMC/Chevy style hangers are 1/2" inboard at the front compared to the rear. This seems excessive, maybe the GM frame is narrower in the rear. The front hanger has the spring 1 1/4" away from the frame and the rear is 1 3/4" away from the frame.

There is some tech discussing mounting the springs inboard at the front to tighten up the chassis, maybe that explains the GM hanger dimensions.

I am using modified GM hangers, spacing the front hanger out, using new perches, and some lowrider shackles.

[ChaseTruck754]

Actually I've spent the morning looking around at all the people who make hangers and trying to decide what I am going to do. I've looked at GMR and others, but based on what people are charging for things I'm thinking I will make my own. Not sure yet though. The front seems to be the issue due to the military wrap.

If you look at the pic above you will see 2 milk crates under the truck. Those are full of Ford, Chevy and Dodge hangers, all of which I am kind of looking at/messing with as well.

[Dust]

Factory GM (1973 K30) hangers are about 4" of lift on a Ford...
In other words they put the eyes about 4" lower then the Ford units if mounted at the same basic height on the Ford frame they eliminate the OE Ford 4+Inch block on the Highboy...

[billy1911]

Those will be some sweet trucks

[ChaseTruck754]

Factory GM (1973 K30) hangers are about 4" of lift on a Ford...
In other words they put the eyes about 4" lower then the Ford units if mounted at the same basic height on the Ford frame they eliminate the OE Ford 4+Inch block on the Highboy...

Have a set that I think are those and they may be going on the crew cab.

Those will be some sweet trucks

Thanks. I need to get off my butt and get one done. I wasn't joking when James and I were talking whit weekend. I haven't "finished" anything for quite a while...

Awesome to see you making progress on sb!

I've always been good at tear down Tony - it's the putting things back together that I'm not so good with - hahaha.

Had a little thought on spring hangers... I think I'm going to use the stock hangers for mock up (main leaf will fit with the 2nd leaf/mil. wrap off) and then once I get the thing set where I need to be I'll take dimensions and make hangers. Seems to be the best way around it - rather than spending $165+ for just rear hangers...

[300]

Actually I've spent the morning looking around at all the people who make hangers and trying to decide what I am going to do. I've looked at GMR and others, but based on what people are charging for things I'm thinking I will make my own. Not sure yet though. The front seems to be the issue due to the military wrap.

If you look at the pic above you will see 2 milk crates under the truck. Those are full of Ford, Chevy and Dodge hangers, all of which I am kind of looking at/messing with as well.

Don't know if you have already looked at them, but the 90's vintage F250/F350 front hangers will accept the military wrap springs and will stand up to racing abuse. Stock Bronco hangers did not. Down sides are you have to do your own bushings if you are using 2.5" springs, and they have 6 frame holes instead of 4. Two of the holes on each side are close, but the other two you have weld up. We bore out an Energy Suspension or equivalent urethane bushing and use the F250 sleeve.

[philofab]

The f350 hangers are still available from ford and are not very expensive. I can post a pic tomorrow if you'd like.

*** edit ***

Look on page one of "big Bertha", several good pictures there.

[ChaseTruck754]

Good to know on the hangers guys - thanks. Is it safe to assume the F-350 hangers are for 3" springs?


So NOTHING got done at the shop last night. The neighbor a couple doors down had me come over to look at something and then talked to me about rally racing and other car builds for 3+ hours. Oh well.

It was kind of good though as I wasn't sure what I should be doing since my mind is already wandering on the rear of the supercab...

The plan has always been built well, and simply, but on a budget.

The 64" deavers I have I got used for cheap. While I was looking for spring under 64"s I grabbed these when I came across them. Now after doing a little searching I came across a set of spring under 64's that have not been used. They are the ones out of the Giant "link killer" setup supposedly and the guy wants $700 for the springs or $1k for springs, bushings, rear hangers and shackles.

When my buddy came to the shop last night and I told him I was looking at the spring under stuff and the cost his response was "just 4 link it". He said "it's about the same $$ and the result will be better. You are looking at putting effort into custom hangers already, so just link the thing and put that effort into trailing arm mounts."

Now... this is the guy that talked me into going big on the ranger... While I have always though I might eventually have a 4 link on the supercab, and I really hate going back and doing things twice (rear cage if I change to link later) I am honestly considering picking up some pre-built links and going at it.

I am now thinking of just bolting the stock leafs back up for a bit and get it running. I would then link it later on when I get around to caging it.

Anyone care to weigh in on this? Man I have full on ADD sometimes when it comes to this BS. Part of me wants it done simply, quickly and on a semi budget, while the other side things I'll get that done, not be happy with it and spend more time and $$ linking it later.

Heck the only reason I was throwing on the deavers now is I don't have a dirveshaft for the thing and if I was going to pay the $$ to have one made I figured I might as well throw the deavers on there to get the travel #'s, etc. figured out...

[philofab]

Good to know on the hangers guys - thanks. Is it safe to assume the F-350 hangers are for 3" springs?

F250 and F350 hangars are for 3" springs.

Things have a way of spiraling out of control when you "go big". FYI, linking it costs more. You need a second shock per wheel, more heims, possibly a sway bar. More work too, which pushes the finish or drive date back.

[ChaseTruck754]

Yes - I am trying to control the "snowball" effect. As I said though I do already have all the heims, extra shocks, etc.

I should just throw the 64's I have on the thing and go but I have a hard time limiting myself - hahaha

[hobbyturnedobsession]

well you do have a few of the real money hogs out of the way with the heims and shocks..... Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idear?

[Dust]

It was kind of good though as I wasn't sure what I should be doing since my mind is already wandering on the rear of the supercab...

The plan has always been built well, and simply, but on a budget.

Good plan for what it is.

The 64" deavers I have I got used for cheap. While I was looking for spring under 64"s I grabbed these when I came across them. Now after doing a little searching I came across a set of spring under 64's that have not been used. They are the ones out of the Giant "link killer" setup supposedly and the guy wants $700 for the springs or $1k for springs, bushings, rear hangers and shackles.

Not a huge deviation from the plan, and I'll never see that good a price local up here, so is good.

When my buddy came to the shop

You buddy is a bad influence He is band'd

I am now thinking of just bolting the stock leafs back up for a bit and get it running. I would then link it later on when I get around to caging it.

Get it running then come back to it as you may only want the leafz.

Anyone care to weigh in on this?

Nope

[johncharlesb]

[ChaseTruck754]

I quickly re-read your "4 link" thread Chris and am still going back and forth. My issue is I don't like doing things twice and I'd hate to be THAT disappointed with the 64's to where I wanted to link it later. Only time will tell though as I haven't owned a linked truck yet. At this point I've come back almost full circle and am thinking I'll throw on the 64's I have and run them for a while. IF I decide to link it when I get around to caging the thing - then I do.

I just don't want to pass up a good deal on these spring under 64's if they really would work great...



And yeah - as for the ranger. After my buddy told me to link the supercab last night we walked by the ranger and he said "not sure why you don't just finish that one...

Too much time and effort though. The supercab was intended to be something I got running quickly and built on as I drove it. Seems like I should stick with that!

[philofab]

Any truck that runs and drives will go through the whoops better than one that you have to push...

I'm not sure why everyone hates leaves so much... they can work 80% as well as a link setup.

[hobbyturnedobsession]

Hey I love my leaf springs too, just thought on that truck it'd be a bit of a nicer ride with the length of the frame and all. I agree though Philo, a truck running is better than one you have to push.

[BajaBronco13]

Any truck that runs and drives will go through the whoops better than one that you have to push...

Now that quote is a keeper and damn true.

[ChaseTruck754]

Didn't get a ton done last night and going to try and surf for the 1st time in a long time tonight, so probably not getting much done tonight either...

BUT - I did pretty much come full circle on the leafs/link thing. My plan as of now is to just throw on the 64's I have and get it running as such. I'll do a simple shock mount under the bed to start and if I'm gonna link it later I'll do that when I cage it.

That being said I found a front leaf hanger that works with the military wrap. It's off a '73 Chevy Blazer I believe and it looks similar to the F-350 one the guys were talking about.

The only slight issue is that these hangers move the leafs away from the frame a little more than stock. I haven't gotten all the rivets out of these hangers yet so I can't measure how much different from stock it is - but it looks like about .250".
So I have to find or make rear hangers or shackles to deal with that in the back, and then look at how it will mess with my spring perches.

That is the plan for sunday afternoon...


On a side note - I'm looking for a carrier for my 9". Needs to use 3.250" bearings so I can run my 35 spline locker. If anyone has one around that they are open to selling - let me know. I'll buy a complete setup with spool, gears, etc. or just the carrier or even a complete 35 spline floater rear. Let me know what you've got.

[ChaseTruck754]

I started working on temporary seat mounts tonight while I'm waiting for parts. I also called Culhane and driveline specialists today to get the ball rolling on the tranny/gearvendors/driveshaft deal. Not looking forward to the bill on that stuff, but man I can't wait to get this thing running...

Seat brackets I am running for now (until I gage it and do the seat mounts right) bolt to the stock sliders and work with beard, PRP or whatever seats. Not bad for the 1st cut try on my templates. I'll make a couple adjustments to the cad file before I offer these up for sale. Also want to test them in a standard cab with a in cab gas tank before I list them...



Figuring out tube length and seat placement. Got it pretty good so tomorrow should be some quick cutting and welding and they're in.


I should have these welded up and good tomorrow and I should be able to start on the temporary art carr shifter mount and possibly the mirrors tomorrow!

[philofab]

Don't mount the seats to low... lol.