55.2-59 my '59 short bed build

[dsraven]

just a quick question, and maybe it's just the angle of the pic, back in post 38 it shows the front spring shackles with a spacer/stabilizer bolt in the middle of the shackle. it kinda looks like the bolt is really going to limit the amount of travel the shackle has and may be bottoming on the frame before the spring even comes close to any bump stops. is there enough travel for the suspension setup? if not those nice new bushings are gonna be split out pretty quickly.

[1-ton of fun]

Originally Posted by dsraven

just a quick question, and maybe it's just the angle of the pic, back in post 38 it shows the front spring shackles with a spacer/stabilizer bolt in the middle of the shackle. it kinda looks like the bolt is really going to limit the amount of travel the shackle has and may be bottoming on the frame before the spring even comes close to any bump stops. is there enough travel for the suspension setup? if not those nice new bushings are gonna be split out pretty quickly.

i keep eyeballing that exact issue and wondering if i should get a longer shackle, or one with the brace offset downwards...i likely will do that to avoid issues down the road as you suggest might happen. there are some really neat 'boomerang' shackles that have a bend in them to allow for more travel before the shackle bottoms out - i've been really considering some of those for the front.

thanks for the input!

[dsraven]

you could make the shackle into an H with a piece of stout flat bar welded in on it's flat just above the spring. then remove the center bolt and plug the holes with weld for added strength. if you do this off the truck make sure to leave some extra width and then use shims on each side of the spring and frame mount bushings in order to be able to remove the shackle easily. otherwise it could be pretty tight getting installed/removed

[Clarance J]

Hello 1-ton of fun. I have been following your build and like the direction its going. The reason I'm posting here is about your mounting of your steering box. I used the same kit and box and have no problems with it. Now when I was looking at the mounting to frame I found several comments about frame flexing and cracks showing up. I used the information and instructions I found by CCP, Brothers etc. I located my box closer to the cross member as instructed and maybe the little 1/2 spacers in the kit might have been enough but I did not like them. I put backup material inside frame with solid 1/2" x 1" solid bar outside frame between box. My truck is only 2 wheel drive. With your box mounted 3" forward its closer to the end of the frame with those big tires I'm sure there will be more flexing going on. Just a thought. Keep up the good work.

Earl

[1-ton of fun]

Originally Posted by Clarance J

Hello 1-ton of fun. I have been following your build and like the direction its going. The reason I'm posting here is about your mounting of your steering box. I used the same kit and box and have no problems with it. Now when I was looking at the mounting to frame I found several comments about frame flexing and cracks showing up. I used the information and instructions I found by CCP, Brothers etc. I located my box closer to the cross member as instructed and maybe the little 1/2 spacers in the kit might have been enough but I did not like them. I put backup material inside frame with solid 1/2" x 1" solid bar outside frame between box. My truck is only 2 wheel drive. With your box mounted 3" forward its closer to the end of the frame with those big tires I'm sure there will be more flexing going on. Just a thought. Keep up the good work.

Earl

]
Earl, thanks for the info! i much prefer your 1/2" bar spacers vs the little round spacers....also thanks for the tip for the plating on the inside of the frame. i think i'll do something similar there too!

[Kula57]

looking good

I'm thinking of going 4x4 also, what type of steering box are you using for the cross steering setup.

thanks

[1-ton of fun]

Originally Posted by Kula57

looking good

I'm thinking of going 4x4 also, what type of steering box are you using for the cross steering setup.

thanks

c10 2wd box

[1-ton of fun]

got the rear brakes done. little shop mfg disc kit with parking brake

[1-ton of fun]

also made some shock mounts and mounted the 14" travel fox 2.0 shocks on the front.

[Kula57]

Hey 1 ton hope things are well with you.

wondering if you have any new pics like from the front end, steering, and how the rear suspension is going? supper curious as i'm pulling apart the 85 k10 for my build

thanks

[1-ton of fun]

Originally Posted by Kula57

Hey 1 ton hope things are well with you.

wondering if you have any new pics like from the front end, steering, and how the rear suspension is going? supper curious as i'm pulling apart the 85 k10 for my build

thanks

rear is almost done, going to weld on the shock mounts today, and add a torque arm to help with spring wrap

the steering is almost there. i need to weld the box mount on the frame, and i think i'm going to plate the frame to add some strength.

[Kula57]

Thanks for the pics. Did you move the steering box or is it in the same position you had it previously?

By the way, the motor in my 85 donor ended up being a 400 not a 305 so I might use. I looked up the casting code.donor has a tilt column so i'm taking that also.

great job, the more pics the better

aloha

[1-ton of fun]

Originally Posted by Kula57

Thanks for the pics. Did you move the steering box or is it in the same position you had it previously?

By the way, the motor in my 85 donor ended up being a 400 not a 305 so I might use. I looked up the casting code.donor has a tilt column so i'm taking that also.

great job, the more pics the better

aloha

I have not moved it from where I put it in once I switched to the crossover steering, which is not quite as far forward as when using the stock steering set up with the c10 box kits