Axle Relocation

[Redaddiction]

Wanted some advice on a project I'm working on. I will be posting a build thread when I get further along so no worries.

Here is what I'm working on, I have a 2500hd regular cab long bed frame I'm stuffing under a 1970 suburban. I need to shorten the wheelbase by 5 inches for it to fit correctly.

My thought would be to move the axle forward by moving the shackles/hangers on the frame. Would this be possible? Any other advice?

Here is a picture of the front hanger, my concern is if I have to tilt it will it adversely affect the suspension?


Untitled by MarcusRyan, on Flickr

Any advice/ideas is greatly appreciated.

Marcus

[Redaddiction]

Here is my donor truck after a few hours of disassembly, Saturday I'm hoping to have the cab off and would like to begin stuffing this thing under my burb.

Untitled by MarcusRyan, on Flickr

[in deep 72]

My first thought, and may not be correct without doing some measuring or finding someone that has done it already.....Moving the spring hangers forward, I'm guessing one will move down the arch in the frame and the other up (raising one end and lowering the other). This may change the angle of the bottom of the spring where it sits on the axle, changing the pinion angle. Just trying to visualize it, I'm thinking that change will be negatively (tipping the pinion down). This could be fixed by relocating the perches on the axle or by adding wedge shims. Personally, I think I'd section the frame. Either way, good luck! Anything is possible with enough inginuity!

Going to follow this toppic. Curious what others think.

[Redaddiction]

Originally Posted by in deep 72

My first thought, and may not be correct without doing some measuring or finding someone that has done it already.....Moving the spring hangers forward, I'm guessing one will move down the arch in the frame and the other up (raising one end and lowering the other). This may change the angle of the bottom of the spring where it sits on the axle, changing the pinion angle. Just trying to visualize it, I'm thinking that change will be negatively (tipping the pinion down). This could be fixed by relocating the perches on the axle or by adding wedge shims. Personally, I think I'd section the frame. Either way, good luck! Anything is possible with enough inginuity!

Going to follow this toppic. Curious what others think.

Yes, that was my thought that I'd end up with a bad pinion angle, once I get it moved though I want to lift the whole truck up and then could have a shop set the pinion angle correctly for my lift to maximize u-joint lift.

I also was curious if moving the axle purchases forward on the springs, I'd like to avoid sectioning the frame mostly due to the frame kick up is an issue and at least right now it's far back enough to no interfere too much.

[Mike C]

Move it forward and down so you wind up with the front 4" lower than where you started. Do a 4" shackle reversal in the back, and you have a built in lift without altering pinion angle. Now lift front 4" to match.