Well, after everyone left last night once the meeting was done. I decided to stay up and work on the rig a bit more.
Drilled out the centre pin on all the leaves, then added the zero rate to move the differential 1" forward to assure good tire clearance and get a bit longer wheelbase. Got the spring packs in and found that the lift springs I attained from one of my msc barter/trade/deals were out of something that were 1/2" shorter overall and moved the centre pin 1/2" forward as well. This moved the axle 1.5" forward and was to much lift.... was just too much IMO. That and my shackles were leaning forward at the bottom... completely opposite what they should be.
Plan B
Tore them back out again, blew them apart and kept the second and third leaf......then added those two to the original main leaf to make a complete pack. And of course put the zero rate back in to still move 1" forward. This ended up giving me the added 1" from where it was sitting (which is what I wanted), and brought my shackles back to a less than savy vertical position....but way better than they were. Took a bit of blood and sweat this afternoon to get the new packs together but they are in and looks great. Truck looks as though it has alot more lift that it really does with the sheet metal modifications etc. There is only 4" suspension lift total....which is where it will stay regardless of end tire size result over the years. The 35's will be staying for now till the budget allows a larger 36-38" swamper. Also trimmed 1" off the drag link to compensate for the shorter throw to keep the wheel in check. Managed to keep the spring pack to a 3 leaf setup....hoping they will ride/flex nicely. Took her for a rip through the ditches...which was interesting considering I still have absolutely no brakes...hahaha, or rear shocks for that matter.
Thanks to Moose....the shocks I picked up from him fit perfect even though I had to bastardise the original shocks for the steel bushing inserts....all worked out in the end.
Hope to start finishing up some of the sheet metal and body work on the drivers side tonight yet......
Anyways, on with the pics....
front measurement
rear measurement