Rear Leaf Springs

[78Class3]

The Solo ones are bent at 90*, so there is more surface area to weld on the bottom of the frame rail but thats about it.

[hobbyturnedobsession]

ok thanks, i'll measure them out and find out exactly where to go from there. that doesnt sound too difficult.

[philofab]

I use a piece of thick angle on the bottom of the frame rail and bolt it to the hangar and the bottom of the frame rail. There is one rivet that has to be removed that holds the bottom of the gas tank cross member. I normally drill two more holes for 1/2 bolts fore and aft of the crossmemeber bolt.

This way you don't have to have a tube running across as it loads the frame the same way. It doesn't hurt to add one though.

[johncharlesb]

I use a piece of thick angle on the bottom of the frame rail and bolt it to the hangar and the bottom of the frame rail. There is one rivet that has to be removed that holds the bottom of the gas tank cross member. I normally drill two more holes for 1/2 bolts fore and aft of the crossmemeber bolt.

This way you don't have to have a tube running across as it loads the frame the same way. It doesn't hurt to add one though.

Are you running plate between the hanger and frame? I put a plate on the frame from the top two holes in the frame and down to the new bottom hole locations under the frame. The plate was drilled at the top and bolted through the old top holes on the frame and plate. It moves the spring hanger out, but not enough to cause any problems with the rest of spring/axle mounts. The hanger extends to the whole frame rail this way. Steel could go under the frame and the hanger can be welded to the plate. I ran this setup for years on a 79 f150.

Is anyone moving the spring hanger back or forward to change the shackle angle and spring rates? I saw some were moving the hanger back to change the shackle angle to leaning forward. Doesn't that forward shackle angle soften the spring rate?

[philofab]

Is anyone moving the spring hanger back or forward to change the shackle angle and spring rates? I saw some were moving the hanger back to change the shackle angle to leaning forward. Doesn't that forward shackle angle soften the spring rate?

I don't think the spring rate changes but moving the hangar back can allow the shackle to fold forward enough to add droop. This is also the reason shackles have a slight bend in them.

[Dust]

Is anyone moving the spring hanger back or forward to change the shackle angle and spring rates? I saw some were moving the hanger back to change the shackle angle to leaning forward. Doesn't that forward shackle angle soften the spring rate?

The short answer is yes, I have moved both the front eye mount and the rear mount, both up and down and front to back, & I have moved the eye inward, but it was a long time ago on my 79.
All of the (simple) info on the following applies: http://www.afcoracing.com/tech_pages/leaf.shtml However, how much you can feel just depends on your personal Butt-o-meter. Think about what you want the suspension to do. In my case I found the front of the SA truck rather simple, it was the rear that was simply unpredictable, it took many tries to get what I wanted, and I'm guessing that the set-up on a TTB Bronco will be similar but likely completely different...

[hobbyturnedobsession]

just wanted everyone to know i got the deaver spring packs from bronco graveyard and they're j-40 springs. paid 100 less through them then going directly through deaver.

[Polarcub]

Sweet...I think you will like them.

[hobbyturnedobsession]

i dont see how i wont anything is better than pro comp lift springs. theyre wayyy too stiff.

[Prerunbronc]

I just put some f53s on my bronco and it Sits higher than I like. I no they will settle some but I was woundering if any of you guys had a measurement from the frame to axle. I am still using the stock shackle so I will be building new ones shortly but that will only lower me 1/2-3/4"
Thanks

[tcm glx]

I just put some f53s on my bronco and it Sits higher than I like. I no they will settle some but I was woundering if any of you guys had a measurement from the frame to axle. I am still using the stock shackle so I will be building new ones shortly but that will only lower me 1/2-3/4"
Thanks

I just measured mine for Nick, 22.5 from wheel center to fender lip. I have camburg shackles, and removed the factory shim and had the spring pad set to the correct angle. Any pics of your ride?

[Prerunbronc]

I just put some f53s on my bronco and it Sits higher than I like. I no they will settle some but I was woundering if any of you guys had a measurement from the frame to axle. I am still using the stock shackle so I will be building new ones shortly but that will only lower me 1/2-3/4"
Thanks

I can't measure to the factory lip I have rear fiberglass bedsides her is a picture from the last Barstow race


I am going to ditch the factory blocks when I swap the 9" in next month it's not worth cutting the perchs off the 8.8 it will not be in there long enough.

[tcm glx]

I just put some f53s on my bronco and it Sits higher than I like. I no they will settle some but I was woundering if any of you guys had a measurement from the frame to axle. I am still using the stock shackle so I will be building new ones shortly but that will only lower me 1/2-3/4"
Thanks

I can't measure to the factory lip I have rear fiberglass bedsides her is a picture from the last Barstow race


I am going to ditch the factory blocks when I swap the 9" in next month it's not worth cutting the perchs off the 8.8 it will not be in there long enough.

That looks good, add the shackle, and remove the shim (to remove the shim, you will need to correct the pinion angle and remount the axle pads) and you should come down about 3/4". Were the deavers brand new?

[Prerunbronc]

That looks good, add the shackle, and remove the shim (to remove the shim, you will need to correct the pinion angle and remount the axle pads) and you should come down about 3/4". Were the deavers brand new?

Yea brand new

[Deleted Account]

I just put some f53s on my bronco and it Sits higher than I like. I no they will settle some but I was woundering if any of you guys had a measurement from the frame to axle. I am still using the stock shackle so I will be building new ones shortly but that will only lower me 1/2-3/4"
Thanks

mine are a little tall to. im puting shackels on this week. so ill take a frame to axle measurement.

[Polarcub]

I cant measure for you as I ma out at sea but with the j40s no factory wedge and extended shackles I am about 3/4" up in the rear when compared to the fron with a set 5.5" deavers, with new 4" springs it sat about the same. Basically I am just a little below factory rake, TCM GLX 's bronco sits about where mine sits.

[shockseals.com]

I can't measure to the factory lip I have rear fiberglass bedsides her is a picture from the last Barstow race

Looks level if not low in the back. Will it be used as a chase rig? If so pack it full of gear and see how it sits. Uptravel is your freind with a short wheel base.

[tcm glx]

Uptravel is your freind with a short wheel base.

Good point!

[Prerunbronc]

I can't measure to the factory lip I have rear fiberglass bedsides her is a picture from the last Barstow race

Looks level if not low in the back. Will it be used as a chase rig? If so pack it full of gear and see how it sits. Uptravel is your freind with a short wheel base.

That pic was with the old springs the new springs are higher I will get a pic tomorrow. I will have two spairs and some gear in the back.

[Pony Boy]

I've been reading up some on the J40's from Deaver, and it seems like it might be a little too tall to match a 4 inch lift up front. I've got Solo C&T beams with 4 inch pro comp coils up front. Would F64's be a better match? Or am I worrying too much about the rear ride height? To bring the rear down a little bit with J40's I could get a longer shackle, but I didn't want to have to spend the extra money at the moment. I'll be carrying tools and some other stuff in the back, but how much weight does it take to allow the truck to lose that inch or so. With the F64's I don't want it to be too low either. What's your input?