Flip kit help

[dlanders]

Ok so I got my flip kit and I decided that it didn't look that hard. I got the right side apart pretty easy but the left side is giving me problems. I loosened the leaf spring eye bolts and took off the spring plate bolts. I took out the front leaf spring eye bolt and it came out fine when I took out the rear leaf spring eye bolt the spring popped up and now it is stuck. I have no idea how to "un-stick" it. It also turned the rearend downward and it looked like it was putting stress on the u-joint so i took my jack to level it back out. If anyone is around the Atlanta area I could desperately use some help, I can pay in beer, cash or I can even beg. I really would like to get this thing back together today so any kind of help is much appreciated. Here are some pics of what i am working with.

[nico]

What is supporting the frame? It needs to have several jackstands under the chassis and let the axle droop to the floor. Supporting by the axle only is very unsafe when doing suspension work...

It looks like the weight of the vehicle is still on the axle which, has the springs in a bind against the bed floor... Jack up the frame, support it on jackstands and remove the jack under the axle. If that doesn't work, get a bigger hammer and let gravity do the work.

[dlanders]

I do have a set of jack stands under the frame you just can't see it is this picture. Every time I try to jack up the axle on that side to take out the jack stand that is under the axle it turns the front of the rear end down and it looks like it is putting the u-joint in a bad angle.

[lolife99]

Support the rearend. (both tubes and the pinion)
Then just jack the frame higher and block it up with jackstands. You just have the springs wedged between the axle and the bed floor. Once your take the pressure off the spring it will come right out.

[lolife99]

While you have everything out of the way,... remove that bumpstop and bumpstop bracket. It's alot easier to do now,... than later after the rearend is "flipped".

[Damien]

Un bolt the driveshaft and get it out of your way. Then you don't have to worry about the ujoint while you are working.

[Cherub]

+1 with everyone else said. take the load off the spring and it will fall out.

[dlanders]

Thanks for all the replies. I was able to jack the rearend up enough to get the jack stand out from under the axle and when I lowered the jack it fell right out. Now on with the rest of the project. I am gonna take the bumpstop out before i go any further. Thanks again guys.

[Cherub]

sweet good luck with the rest of the work.

[dlanders]

Just wondering, but does anybody know the best/easiest way to get the bumpstop brackets off?

[spr85gmc]

sawzall

[nico]

When I had my bed off, I just knocked the heads off the rivets with a chisel and a hammer... It just takes about 20 hits to sever the head, much easier to me than grinding. The other option is to grind the heads off and knock out the rivets with a punch. I guess if you really wanted to, you could drill out the rivets and pry the bracket off.

[454HO]

Originally Posted by spr85gmc

sawzall

x2

I used a sawzall to cut off as much of the head as possible, then hit it with an angle grinder to finish if needed. Once the head is off, pry the plates off the frame with a long pry bar. Then you can knock the rest of the rivet out of the frame... or just leave it there.

[dlanders]

I hate to keep asking questions but...... I need help AGAIN! When I took the u-bolts off the other day I had a nut get seized and I ended up having to cut the u-bolt to get it off. I had to make a trip to Northern Tool that afternoon to pick up a grinder and while i was there I saw they had u-bolts in what I thought was the same size. So I decided to buy 4 new ones and just replace all of them while I was at it. I am just getting around to putting everything back together today and I noticed that the new u-bolts are the same length but not the same diameter. I just wanted to make sure this would not cause any problems. If they will not work could anybody recommend a place where I could get ones that would work. Again thanks for all the help.

[454HO]

I would take one of the originals to the auto parts store and see if they have some that match. The ones you got from Northern are probably light duty... like for mounting something on a fence post. You need automotive grade... not sure if they are grade 5 or grade 8, but definately get some that are meant for mounting the axle to a leaf spring. If the auto parts store doesn't have them, look for a truck supply place or shop that speacializes in suspension work.

Looks good by the way.

[lolife99]

I agree. Get those off of there, and get one for a truck. I use a local "big rig" Semi truck parts supply for all of mine. The are heavy duty.

[dlanders]

The package said they were for trailer axles. In hindsight I wish I would have just forked out the extra money and bought a kit that came with new u bolts. But I guess its like my parents always say...... hindsight is 20/20. I guess I will chalk this up to a learning experience. I will hit up a few parts stores and see if I can find some that are a little beefier, I would hate to lose a rearend driving through downtown Atlanta.

[elwoods76]

What kind of kit did you use? How much was it? Where did you get it from? I am going to flip mine and trying to find the best deal. Any help or tips would be appreciated!!!

[454HO]

Originally Posted by elwoods76

What kind of kit did you use? How much was it? Where did you get it from? I am going to flip mine and trying to find the best deal. Any help or tips would be appreciated!!!

The hammertone finish is like a DJM trademark. See the link in my sig for my install. They have a basic kit and a deluxe kit.

[454HO]

Originally Posted by dlanders

The package said they were for trailer axles.

Trailer axles don't have an engine attached to them.

[dlanders]

Yeah I realized they were probably not going to work after I got them on. I found a guy in my area that bent me some today. I talked to a few of the off-road guys at school this week and went to the guy that does all their suspension work. They are a lot beefier than the ones I got from Northern. I am gonna try to get the rear finished tomorrow morning and start working on the front drop this weekend. All of these stupid classes are getting in my way of working on my truck.

elwoods76, It is just the basic flipkit from DJM. I got it from my local Summit for $84.75 I believe. I would definitely check out 454HO's thread. It was very instrumental in installing my kit.

[dga93]

The guy that did my exhaust said that you could heat up some things under the truck with a wielding torch and drop it 4 inches all round. any1 know what hes talking about and is it safe?

[cochino12]

Originally Posted by dga93

The guy that did my exhaust said that you could heat up some things under the truck with a wielding torch and drop it 4 inches all round. any1 know what hes talking about and is it safe?

I hope his exhaust work is better than his suspension work

[dga93]

oh yeah its working well. now i just need to find a transmission!
sorry you can have your post back

[Driveway Dreams]

Hows this thing coming? Did you get the rear finished up?