Progress update - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jimbotronics · 12-08-2005, 12:49 PM

Got the 5" drop springs installed (bought 'em from Tim Christian at the Daytona swap meet - great guy he is!). Today I'm working on getting the new brake lines installed I got from Inlinetube - they fit pretty nicely I must say. Fuelcellguy emailed and said my tank should be shipped within the next week or so - can't wait to see how it turned out. Hard part is figuring out where to install the fill tube.

The cab is at my buddy's shop and should be coming home this weekend so I can start putting the interior and electronics back in.

krue · 12-08-2005, 12:52 PM

Sounds like it's all coming together.

Jimbotronics · 12-08-2005, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krue

Sounds like it's all coming together.

slowy but surely krue - I'm light years away from it being completed - mostly due to funds. A little here a little there but progress is progress I guess. It all started with nothing more than changing the 307 to a 350.

cheyenne10 · 12-08-2005, 01:15 PM

Did you have trouble compressing springs to get upper and lower arms and spindles all together? Is so how did you handle it?

Looking good.

Jimbotronics · 12-08-2005, 01:36 PM

Cheyenne10 - the easiest way that I've replaced the front springs is by using two jacks and removing the two u-bolts that hold the lower control arms.

1. Jack up front of truck and secure on jack stands.
2. Place one jack under the lower control arm shaft
3. Place a second jack underneath the spring.
4. Remove u-bolts and lower both jacks SLOWLY at the same time.
5. Replace spring and reverse the process.

Quick and easy and didn't even remove the front tires.

cheyenne10 · 12-08-2005, 01:47 PM

I can see this on truck which is assembled and loaded. How about on unloaded frame or even with engine out. Seems like jacking under control arm will lift it whole thing up not compress spring. I would like to pull front crossmember, detail and rebuild it all and raise it into place. I would be nice with springs and everything assembled or at least with engine out.

Jimbotronics · 12-08-2005, 01:53 PM

That's a good point - I haven't tried to remove one that's on an unassembled truck. I'll likely throw the spring compressors on just to be on the safe side and to assist with getting the lower assembly into place. Hopefully another board that changed springs on an un-assembled truck will shed some light....

**Palf70Step** · 12-08-2005, 02:21 PM

Stuff is looking good Jim!

chevybill · 12-08-2005, 02:43 PM

When I replaced springs on a bare chassis I used a coil spring compressor for installation. To take out the old springs I used a cutting torch andcut them in
two pieces. Then removed the control arm nuts- upper and lower.

12-08-2005, 12:49 PM	#1
Jimbotronics YA YA Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 1,273	Progress update Got the 5" drop springs installed (bought 'em from Tim Christian at the Daytona swap meet - great guy he is!). Today I'm working on getting the new brake lines installed I got from Inlinetube - they fit pretty nicely I must say. Fuelcellguy emailed and said my tank should be shipped within the next week or so - can't wait to see how it turned out. Hard part is figuring out where to install the fill tube. The cab is at my buddy's shop and should be coming home this weekend so I can start putting the interior and electronics back in. __________________ Jimbo '72 SWB - 350 (frame-off resto in progress - donations accepted) '04 Chevy Avalanche '03 Cadillac CTS (wife's ride) Restoration progress - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335707

12-08-2005, 12:52 PM	#2
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: Progress update Sounds like it's all coming together. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

12-08-2005, 01:15 PM	#4
cheyenne10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,512	Re: Progress update Did you have trouble compressing springs to get upper and lower arms and spindles all together? Is so how did you handle it? Looking good. __________________ Bob

12-08-2005, 01:36 PM	#5
Jimbotronics YA YA Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 1,273	Re: Progress update Cheyenne10 - the easiest way that I've replaced the front springs is by using two jacks and removing the two u-bolts that hold the lower control arms. 1. Jack up front of truck and secure on jack stands. 2. Place one jack under the lower control arm shaft 3. Place a second jack underneath the spring. 4. Remove u-bolts and lower both jacks SLOWLY at the same time. 5. Replace spring and reverse the process. Quick and easy and didn't even remove the front tires. __________________ Jimbo '72 SWB - 350 (frame-off resto in progress - donations accepted) '04 Chevy Avalanche '03 Cadillac CTS (wife's ride) Restoration progress - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335707

12-08-2005, 01:47 PM	#6
cheyenne10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,512	Re: Progress update I can see this on truck which is assembled and loaded. How about on unloaded frame or even with engine out. Seems like jacking under control arm will lift it whole thing up not compress spring. I would like to pull front crossmember, detail and rebuild it all and raise it into place. I would be nice with springs and everything assembled or at least with engine out. __________________ Bob

12-08-2005, 01:53 PM	#7
Jimbotronics YA YA Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 1,273	Re: Progress update That's a good point - I haven't tried to remove one that's on an unassembled truck. I'll likely throw the spring compressors on just to be on the safe side and to assist with getting the lower assembly into place. Hopefully another board that changed springs on an un-assembled truck will shed some light.... __________________ Jimbo '72 SWB - 350 (frame-off resto in progress - donations accepted) '04 Chevy Avalanche '03 Cadillac CTS (wife's ride) Restoration progress - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335707 Last edited by Jimbotronics; 12-08-2005 at 01:57 PM.

12-08-2005, 02:21 PM	#8
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,216	Re: Progress update Stuff is looking good Jim! __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

12-08-2005, 02:43 PM	#9
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	Re: Progress update When I replaced springs on a bare chassis I used a coil spring compressor for installation. To take out the old springs I used a cutting torch andcut them in two pieces. Then removed the control arm nuts- upper and lower. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

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