what is the front of the spring?
 

I am putting a lift on my truck, Skyjacker 8" and I need to know which is the front of the the rear springs. On one end it curls in towards the spring and the other end curls up and away from the middle center of the spring. Both look identical other than that. Also, the leafs seem to be more on one side than the other, if that makes sense.

I've never dealt with leaf springs before so this is all new to me. Thanks guys.

Mine had wedges, ( the fat end goes to the back) so it was easy.
Only thing is I didn't use the wedges, so I hope mine are on correctly.

Is there difference in length from the center bolt to the ends on yours? Assuming that mine are correct, the rear part is one inch longer than the front part, so short end forward.

Hope this helps

No wedges on the back. The front one had those so I was set, then I realized that it also had "FRONT" written on it too. Helps to read sometimes.

As for the back ones, no wedge or writing. I'll check on the length but it looked about the same. Better get out the ol tape measure. Thanks for the help.

Anyone else know what I'm talking about for sure?

The wedges are to fix your pinion angle, I would advise you use them so you don't wear out your u-joints too quick, that is of course if your kit came with them. Their actually referred to as angle shims. And generally the longer part of the springs go to the back.

You are correct, but I welded my spring perches at an angle to achive the same result.

Green Myst, just saw your post and went to check mine, but it's a bit too cold & wet (& dark!) right now to crawl under the beast (stock 72 K20). If you are still waiting for info, I can check in the next day or two, depending on weather. I think I know what you are asking about the spring eyes.

on most leaf spring packs the tie bolt is located closer to the front of the spring.

yeah, welding the perches at an angle will do the same too, probably actually a better way to do it than using shims. I assume you have to re-weld your perches because you got your 14FF out of a 1-ton?

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I might have it right but still not sure.

Stocker: If you could check, that would be great. I am putting them on today but better to change em out sooner than later.

Destructo: The 14FF is from a '74 3/4 ton but they are going under a '72 3/4 ton. So they have to be moved and I will probably do like Scrub did.

Well, I just braved the elements (hah - 34* & light rain, barely got dripped on) and I'm afraid to no avail. On my stock spring packs, the front & rear eyes appear to be identical. Also from the center bolt to the center of each eye is the same at 26". The only difference I could see is the clamp around the spring pack is on the front part of the pack, as shown in Scrub's pic above.

Let me know if I misunderstood the original question and if there's something else I can check for you.

Stocker: No, it sounds like you know exactly what I was asking. I appreciate you braving the elements. It's a dangerous world out there! I won't ask you to fo such a noble thing again ;)

Scrub: Do you have any idea how mny inches back you set those perches? What size lift? I am planning on doing the same thing and it would be nice not to take the time to mock it up if you could give me some dimentions. Thanks.


Everyone Else: If someone could check their aftermarket springs that would be great. I'm still not comfortable. Thanks

You want to know how many inches it is front to back on either side of the center bolt? I have a set of 4 inch rear lift springs laying on the floor in my nice warm basement i'll check for you.

Destructo:
No, sorry I'm not very descriptive.
I am wondering how many inches back, or how far around he rotated the perches on the axle tube when he welded them on. The axle sits at more of an angle and I am wondering what degree he has it set at so that I don't have to take the time and use my inexperience to screw things up :D

Thanks for trying though, I appreciate it.

Hmmm.
I just set the perches on the axle with even distance from each side and set the frame and springs on the perches and centered everything up with the bolts loose. As far as the pinion angle,
I did a little Kentucky windage with the bolts loose and said "Looks pretty good there" and tack welded the perches up.
Then I took it apart and finished welding it.

I, more or less, pointed the pinion at where I thought the driveline would end up. I am using a two piece driveline, so it will be higher than the one piece.

hope this helped.

I was referring to the "Everyone" in your last post about the aftermarket springs.

Scrub, You got any more pics of your rear setup, I'm interested in how your air bags are setup and how well they work? also whats the large plate with a hiems joint in it for?