4x4 Suspension Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**tim71** · 05-01-2017, 07:45 PM

Does anyone know the purpose of the plate bolted to the bottom side of the frame on the drivers side of frame. It restricts the backward movement of the shackle/leaf spring on the drivers side. There is no provision for this on the passenger side.

midniteblues · 05-01-2017, 07:54 PM

I asked the same question a while ago.

That limiter and the strap on the front hanger act as a safety stop in case your leaf spring breaks you'll still have some steering since a 4x4's steering box travels forward and reverse instead of side by side.

Apparently it's just a safety thing that started in 71.

When I bought my 71 the strap at the hanger was broke further investigation led me too a broken leaf spring.
It's steering was terrible going one way and just pathetic going the other way.

joeydurango · 05-01-2017, 08:20 PM

Not just there for steering - also, to keep the spring from puncturing first the floorboard and then the driver in an accident. Passengers get no such love...

72_K10_Vegas · 05-01-2017, 08:59 PM

Yep, what JD said

**special-K** · 05-02-2017, 07:02 AM

It's factory and meant to be there with no problems. If your spring is contacting it something else is wrong and needs attention. I've never had a problem from them

**tim71** · 05-02-2017, 07:48 PM

When I purchased truck, there was a 6" suspension lift on it. The truck is undergoing a restoration. I didn't want a 6" lift but couldn't convince myself to go all the way back to stock. I put on 2" tuff country springs front and back. When the frame was powdercoated I left the plate in place. When the new springs went on, the plate had to be moved back about a quarter inch and it lightly contacts the spring.

joeydurango · 05-02-2017, 08:04 PM

Contact is no good, as that prevents the shackle from articulating as it should. Your truck will ride rough and steer funny if you hit something hard squarely with the front wheels - the passenger side will compress more than the driver's side can, and it tends to jerk to one side.

I had a SWB with a 2.5" lift. I had to remove the part in question to avoid the issues I just described. If you wanted to keep it you could drill new holes in the frame and relocate it back a bit.

05-01-2017, 07:45 PM	#1
tim71 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Brownsburg, IN Posts: 1,107	4x4 Suspension Question Does anyone know the purpose of the plate bolted to the bottom side of the frame on the drivers side of frame. It restricts the backward movement of the shackle/leaf spring on the drivers side. There is no provision for this on the passenger side. Attached Images __________________ 1972 Blazer Highlander 1971 GMC K1500 SWB (sold) 2004 Corvette Z06 CE

05-01-2017, 07:54 PM	#2
midniteblues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: strausstown pa Posts: 3,394	Re: 4x4 Suspension Question I asked the same question a while ago. That limiter and the strap on the front hanger act as a safety stop in case your leaf spring breaks you'll still have some steering since a 4x4's steering box travels forward and reverse instead of side by side. Apparently it's just a safety thing that started in 71. When I bought my 71 the strap at the hanger was broke further investigation led me too a broken leaf spring. It's steering was terrible going one way and just pathetic going the other way. __________________ 81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love. 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover.

05-01-2017, 08:20 PM	#3
joeydurango Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Durango, CO Posts: 827	Re: 4x4 Suspension Question Not just there for steering - also, to keep the spring from puncturing first the floorboard and then the driver in an accident. Passengers get no such love... __________________ 1972 K10 Cheyenne Super \| LWB, fleetside \| 350/350/205 \| KEEPER 1971 K10 Cheyenne \| SWB, fleetside \| LS Swap 5.3/4L60 \| SOLD 1976 Trans Am \| 400/4-spd \| SOLD 1976 Trans Am \| 455/4-spd \| TOTALED

05-01-2017, 08:59 PM	#4
72_K10_Vegas Registered User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Las Vegas Nevada Posts: 93	Re: 4x4 Suspension Question Yep, what JD said __________________ 72 K10

05-02-2017, 07:02 AM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: 4x4 Suspension Question It's factory and meant to be there with no problems. If your spring is contacting it something else is wrong and needs attention. I've never had a problem from them __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

05-02-2017, 07:48 PM	#6
tim71 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Brownsburg, IN Posts: 1,107	Re: 4x4 Suspension Question When I purchased truck, there was a 6" suspension lift on it. The truck is undergoing a restoration. I didn't want a 6" lift but couldn't convince myself to go all the way back to stock. I put on 2" tuff country springs front and back. When the frame was powdercoated I left the plate in place. When the new springs went on, the plate had to be moved back about a quarter inch and it lightly contacts the spring. __________________ 1972 Blazer Highlander 1971 GMC K1500 SWB (sold) 2004 Corvette Z06 CE

05-02-2017, 08:04 PM	#7
joeydurango Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Durango, CO Posts: 827	Re: 4x4 Suspension Question Contact is no good, as that prevents the shackle from articulating as it should. Your truck will ride rough and steer funny if you hit something hard squarely with the front wheels - the passenger side will compress more than the driver's side can, and it tends to jerk to one side. I had a SWB with a 2.5" lift. I had to remove the part in question to avoid the issues I just described. If you wanted to keep it you could drill new holes in the frame and relocate it back a bit. __________________ 1972 K10 Cheyenne Super \| LWB, fleetside \| 350/350/205 \| KEEPER 1971 K10 Cheyenne \| SWB, fleetside \| LS Swap 5.3/4L60 \| SOLD 1976 Trans Am \| 400/4-spd \| SOLD 1976 Trans Am \| 455/4-spd \| TOTALED



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