Spring Hanger Bolt Recommendations

[adis]

Thanks for all your help, donut. I've tried to simply replace everything with stock parts, or the same as it was when I took it apart. I'v got new front hangers, new rear shackles, new springs, and new Ubolts. I measured the curve of the new spring sprung with the weight of the vehicle minus the bed, and it was about 3/8" taller than the old springs unsprung (laying on the ground.) Don't know if that tells me anything, but I believe that the old springs were the original factory springs, or at least pretty old and perhaps sagging. Also, I'm fairly certain that the shocks and brake lines are NOT original (hard to tell about the originality of the center brake hose.) Again, I don't know if that tells me anything. I've got no problem replacing the shock and hose (if possible), and that is preferred to changing mounts etc., but i'd obviously prefer to save the $100 if I have serviceable parts that can somehow be made to fit. Thanks again for all your help. - mark

[dieseldawg142]

longer lines would be best. would suck having your rear line come apart on a pothole.
you could make a bracket out of flatbar to lift your brake block.
after i lifted my truck 8", i whipped up a quick bracket so i could drive the truck for a month till i got longer braided lines. you look like you would only need a inch or two.
before-yeah, kinda hokey, but it worked. no off road with the lines hanging all over!


after with longer lines

[donut]

Shocks, I'd run with. Hose, err. don't know. By chance you still have the old one to compare it to? (I personally don't toss the old stuff until I know the new stuff will work)

The reason I ask is that hose looks like it's about 3" short. Maybe hit the auto parts store and compare that one to what the "computer" calls for? IIRC, that bracket is riveted to the frame and doesn't move. Or like mentioned, make it work for now. Hydraulic lines simply connect points a to b. The rubber lines simply allow for movement.

[adis]

thanks for the replies, guys. i think i'm just going to go with new parts. looks like i can get an 18" braided center hose (the old one in the pic is 14.5") for about $50. i suppose i can find shocks that travel another 1.5" (the current ones are 22.5") i've no doubt that once i put the bed on, it will drop enough to get the shocks on, but is that really how shocks are suppose to fit - just barely on, fully extended?

BTW DD142, the underside of your rig is impressive - a lotta work in that thing!