Lift Kit troubles

[jrdv]

I got a rough county EZ-ride lift. I ordered a 2" and they sent a 4", but that is ok! I have the front put on, but the back springs are giving me trouble!

The old shackle bolts will not budge! I cut the fronts ones out by cutting the springs off and then cutting the wrapped bushing out---lots of fire and smoke!!
The back hanger is the problem. I can't cut the shackle up because I have to reuse it. Any suggestions!!!!!! I figure I will probably have to melt the rubber bushing out----anyone have a better idea???????

Thanks

john

[Burt4x4]

drill a bunch of holes in the bushing, honey comb it
Pry and peal it out

[Yukon Jack]

I took the approach Burt mentions - it is a major pain! I did notice that www.offroaddesign.com does sell replacent rear shackles now, I don't know if they are the same dimensions as the original though.

[bhoeger70]

could you sawsall the bolts?

[Wreckless_71]

I had the same problem and used the fire and smoke method!

[OLDCHEV4X4]

I use pb blaster, 3/4 drive breaker bar and a big hammer. Soak it the night before and during the job.

[va_tlc]

wow you orderd a 2 inch lift and got rear springs too? i figured you would have gotten blocks for the rear, was it expensive?

[jeffspower]

Just went thru this last fall on mine. don't have a torch or sawzall, so I used a 4-1/2" angle grinder and cutoff wheels to hack them up. I hacked the shackles too. They were about $20 or so a piece at the spring shop.

So much fun

[msgross]

I think I had to torch them out, did damage the shackle a bit but it worked...

[jrdv]

Originally Posted by va_tlc

wow you orderd a 2 inch lift and got rear springs too? i figured you would have gotten blocks for the rear, was it expensive?

Originally Posted by jeffspower

Just went thru this last fall on mine. don't have a torch or sawzall, so I used a 4-1/2" angle grinder and cutoff wheels to hack them up. I hacked the shackles too. They were about $20 or so a piece at the spring shop.

So much fun

Thanks for the replies----
The price was about 800 with shocks.

I used the grinder and cut off wheels--it worked!!!!! I hate inhaling smoke from the rubber bushings!

I stayed up till 1 am, but I got it all put back together. The weird thing is that the lift raised the front by 4 inches and the back by 3 inches. Plus they sent me the long shocks for a 4 inch lift ( 30" verses 26"). I just put the monroe gas shocks back on ( pretty new).

I am tempted to take one leaf out of the fronts ( 3 leaves ).
Would it be better to build a block and raise the back?

Here are some Before and After pics.

Thanks

john

[va_tlc]

wow thats a nice looking truck you have, i hada 69 about that color, glad you got it all back toghter, does the ez ride springs work good? how does the ride compare to regular lift springs?

[jrdv]

Thanks,

The rear rides pretty good, but the front is very,very stiff. I think I should take out one of the leaves.

john

ps---I saw pics of your red SWB 4x4----very nice truck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jeffspower]

The front height looks PERFECT IMO

Maybe add a 1-1/2" or 2" block to the rear, OR, do it the different hard way as I did. I put rear hangers on from an '84 K30 SRW. They are longer. The mounting pattern is different, but since I used 56" rear springs, I was going to be drilling anyway.

[jrdv]

Jeff,
Did you put the 56" springs on a short bed? I am wondering if the longer leaves would help center up the back wheels in the wheelwell. It seems to me that the back axle sets too far forward.

Thanks,

john

[79BRUISER]

You could put a 1" zero rate from ORD and move the axle back at the same time.

Bruiser

[Yukon Jack]

Gotta agree the front height looks real good. I'd definitely go with the 1" Zero Rate block that Bruiser recommended. Get that rear axle back a little and get your height evened out.

[msgross]

Originally Posted by 79BRUISER

You could put a 1" zero rate from ORD and move the axle back at the same time.

Bruiser

here they are, I want to move my axle back a little too, they are always a little forward..., and bigger tires add to that..

http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/Zero%20Rates.htm

[jrdv]

msgross,
How did you know I was a lazy a__????????? Seriously, thanks for the link.
That is just what I need---sure am glad I didn't chop the bottom off the U-bolts yet!!!!

Thanks for all the help.

john

[jeffspower]

Originally Posted by jrdv

Jeff,
Did you put the 56" springs on a short bed? I am wondering if the longer leaves would help center up the back wheels in the wheelwell. It seems to me that the back axle sets too far forward.

Thanks,

john

Longbox. The front eye to centerbolt dimension is the same- all of the extra length is in the rear. Lift springs usually shift the axle forward due to the increased arch- it shortens the forward dimension. For rear leafs, I think most smaller lift kits just re- arch standard springs. The bigger lifts probably use custom made rear springs.

I'm running 2" longer leafs on the front. The centerbolt is centered as the OE springs were- so I made up the 1" offset by drilling new holes in the axles spring mount pads 1" further back. I've done it many times- I call it zero inch zero rate

[msgross]

Originally Posted by jrdv

msgross,
How did you know I was a lazy a__????????? Seriously, thanks for the link.
That is just what I need---sure am glad I didn't chop the bottom off the U-bolts yet!!!!

Thanks for all the help.

john

i figured i'd save you the trouble since I had the website handy... I ordered some front shackles from them and love the piece, and the service they gave...

good luck

[Elwayno]

Hey JRDV what did you do with the wheels in the first pic. I have been lookin for a couple since...um the incident. If you looking to get rid of em email me at "elwayno1@comcast.net"

[jrdv]

I ordered the ORD Zero Rate blocks. Of course I only measured once and got the blocks for 3" leaves and I needed 2.5" . No problem--I have a chop saw!
I used the 1.5" backspace hole---you have a choice of one inch or one point five inches.
It seems my 1 to 2 hour project has turned into a 2 week project. By moving the axle back 1.5" it make the driveshaft too short. I will have to take it to Amarillo (3 hours ) to have it lengthened.
Also, the emergency brake lines are really tight. I am going to have to move the brackets back. Unfortunately they are riveted on. Any suggestions?
On the bright side, it did center up the wheels in the wheel well. It was dark outside, so I had to take the pictures in the shop.
Here's for all you pic sluts-----enjoy!!!

[jrdv]

A few more

[jeffspower]

Sure does look better centered

I have to move my ebrake cable frame brackets as well- haven't got it done yet. I grind the rivet heads off, then beat them out using a flat- ended punch of slightly less diameter. Keep in mind to relocate them far enough down &/or back to allow slack for full axle droop.

[jrdv]

Thanks Jeff,
Are you going to weld or bolt your brackets back on?

john