Axle on Leaf Spring Placement

[robertsjm711]

I have a 53 3100 with a S10 frame and 12 bolt axle and have a placement question.

Does the axle center-line need to be lined up with the pin/bolt of the leaf springs? Can it me moved forward and inch or so with a new/modified bracket?

When I moved the leaf spring mounts I did my best to center the wheels in the fenders, but they may be a little to the rear. Its not bad, but something others probably won't notice. Another reason is the length of driveshaft - many premade ones are maxed out from my axle to trans. The M20 I am using is a little shorter than other trans (so I have read) and don't want to use a jointed driveshaft.

I have searched some on this - and either I am not using the right terminology or the images are not visible due to the photobucket thing.

Thoughts?

[sweetk30]

http://diy4x.com/product.php?product...cat=250&page=4

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/...hantiwrap.html

http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/14b...ingperches.htm

here ya go . very comon in the off road world to do .

some do 1" plus or minus . others do 1" or 1.5" and you weld it on what way you plan to move it .

[robertsjm711]

Perfect. This is exactly what I needed, thanks.

[sweetk30]

just make sure you get top plates to work with the axle moved . if 1 moves the other has to move . or the u-bolts will be at a crazy angle .

[robertsjm711]

Yes, the whole thing will move as a unit. The perches are only tacked onto the axle tube, I wasn't sure on the angle of the engine/trans to set the pinion angle so replacement/modification should be easy.

[sweetk30]

what i am saying is you need new u-bolt plates along with the perches that weld to the tube .

if your center pin hole is no longer centered then the u-bolt plate needs the same off center in its self . = stock plates will NOT work anymore .

http://diy4x.com/product.php?product...cat=250&page=4

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/...25GM-UPLT.html

http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/Rear%20U-Bolts.htm part way down the page is plates .

[robertsjm711]

Yes, we are on the same page. I need to get new U-bolts as the ones I have are old and off of who-knows-what. Just something laying around for mock up purposes. I'll just add those plates on to "The Never Ending List".

[sweetk30]

o.k. just wanted to make sure you have it covered in 1 order .