Lowered the pickup today

[Drummerboy4as]

De-arched the rear springs and re-indexed the torsion bars. Could be a little lower, but the driveability is pretty good where it's at. I think my rear shocks are bottomed out so if anyone has a line on some good shorter shocks for the rear, lemme know

 

Before

 

After

[motavated]

Dang that looks clean! How exactly did you de-arch the rear springs? And how much was the drop in price and inch drop. Thanks!!! Ummm what is your trucks color code?

[Drummerboy4as]

Dang that looks clean! How exactly did you de-arch the rear springs? And how much was the drop in price and inch drop. Thanks!!! Ummm what is your trucks color code?

 

Thanks! To de-arch the springs, I took apart the spring pack, pull out the second spring from the top and flip it over on top of the spring pack. Clamp everything back together VERY CAREFULLY. If something comes loose you can get hurt. I use a large C clamp and a couple long woodworking clamps (I know they have a real name, but it escapes me at the moment). I should've taken pictures... oh well. I did the same thing to my wagon and I like it a lot more than using blocks. You get a higher spring rate and you lower it at the same time.

 

If I understand your question about the drop in price and inches correctly, it didn't cost me anything, just a couple bloody knuckles and a few hours time. As far as inches, I estimate about a 4 or 5 inch drop.

 

The color code I can go look at tomorrow for ya. It looks to be the same color as the truck in your avatar

[denveratsun]

Way better!!!:D

[datrod]

Dat looks purdy :D

[sanitys]

looking good. I might try the de-arching on mine. i already have 3 inch blocks on it, but would like the tires to fill in the fender gap alittle more.

[Guest Rick-rat]

When you did this did you put the overload springs back in too? , Great taste in wheels

[Drummerboy4as]

When you did this did you put the overload springs back in too? , Great taste in wheels

 

LOL! Thanks, they came with the truck, at first I wasn't into 'em but they're growin' on me.

 

I left the big over load spring in and took out the shorter one on the very bottom.

[DatDoug]

Thanks! To de-arch the springs, I took apart the spring pack, pull out the second spring from the top and flip it over on top of the spring pack. Clamp everything back together VERY CAREFULLY. If something comes loose you can get hurt. I use a large C clamp and a couple long woodworking clamps (I know they have a real name, but it escapes me at the moment). I should've taken pictures... oh well. I did the same thing to my wagon and I like it a lot more than using blocks. You get a higher spring rate and you lower it at the same time.

 

If I understand your question about the drop in price and inches correctly, it didn't cost me anything, just a couple bloody knuckles and a few hours time. As far as inches, I estimate about a 4 or 5 inch drop.

 

The color code I can go look at tomorrow for ya. It looks to be the same color as the truck in your avatar

 

Any chance we could get some pics of your springs?:D

[Drummerboy4as]

Any chance we could get some pics of your springs?:D

 

Sure thing, I'll snap some tomorrow. The pics will be from under the truck though. You guys are great and all, but I'm not gonna pull my wheels back off just for a photo op :glare:

 

I'm regretting being an irresponsible ratsun owner and not taking pics of the process. I didn't think it was that big of a deal :unsure:

[sanitys]

Any chance we could get some pics of your springs?:D

 

+1

 

Ill be giving this a go tomarrow, hopefully my c-clamps are big enough.

[Llittle_Llama]

i would be doing this as well.......BUT....BAGGING IT IN A FEW WEEKS FINALLY!!!!!!

[Drummerboy4as]

Ok, like I said I'm an irresponsible Ratsun owner and didn't take pics of the process, but I took some after pics of the springs with some well placed "pointers". I'll describe what I did.

 

After jacking up the rear of the truck and securing it properly on some jack stands, pull the wheels off. Unbolt the U-bolts seen here, not the one I'm pointing to but the four around the edge. Leave the shock bolted up.

 

This would be a good point to grab your floor jack and support the rear end.

 

Then pull the nuts off the shackle. These will take some persuasion.

 

Then remove the front bolt. This one may also take some persuasion.

 

You should be able to remove the leaf spring.

 

Once you have the spring pack off, throw a clamp in the middle right next to the bolt that holds the pack together. This will make it easier to get that bad boy out. Depending on how this bolt looks, you may be able to re use it... I did. Otherwise you need to pick up a nut and bolt of proper length and round off the head.

While you're at the hardware store pick up 20 or so flat washers to use as spacers for the U-bolts and a few washers for the center bolt if you reuse it. I had to do this because I removed the very bottom over load leaf. You could avoid this by leaving that leaf in, I don't think it would make that much of a difference.

 

Once you have that bolt out take a hammer and a flat blade screwdriver and pry open the clamps at either end.

 

The springs should be in pieces. Take the second spring from the top out. it should be here

 

Take it out and flip it upside down on top of the spring pack

 

Remember the hole is offset, so don't spin the spring end for end.

 

Get your clamps and a long screw driver or round piece of steel, whatever fits through the hole in the middle. This will help you keep everything lined up.

These are the clamps I used

 

Get your long clamps started and insert your "liner upper" through the holes.

 

I use the long clamps first, one on either side of the hole. Tighten one down, when it bottoms out, tighten the other down, pull the first one off and tighten it again and so on. Just be sure to keep constant pressure on the spring. If you have access to a large vice, use it, it's much easier than using clamps.

When you've tightened the long clamps enough to get the C clamp on, put it on and tighten it the rest of the way.

 

When everything is clamped down tight, replace the center bolt. Leave the C clamp on and place a clamp at either end where the metal "clamps" are. Hammer those back down.

 

Pull your clamps off and viola! All done Reinstall and do the other side

 

Hope this helps :D

EP

Edited November 11, 2008 by Drummerboy4as

[Llittle_Llama]

damn damn damn....i might have to do this after the notch goes in....... depends on if i get the 4 link i guess.....

[Phlebmaster]

Nice work!! I might try this. :D

[420n620]

I like your idea and the way your trk sits, definately going to give it a try on het 74. now I need to SEARCH info about re-indexed the torsion bars. thxs

[sanitys]

did mine today, left the overloads in. heres a before and after. Oh I have 3 inch blocks as well. Wheels are 17's. Wheels sit pefect in the well now. Flipping the second looked like it dropped it 2inches or so.

 

I have a issue now tho. The driveshaft seems to be making a clunking sound like its hitting something. I checked and its all clear. Only does it under acceleration. If i get a steady speed it stops. Any ideas?

 

 

[Drummerboy4as]

So the first pic is with a 3" block and the second is 2nd leaf flipped and a 3" block? Looks good.

 

As for the "clunking" sound, is it a constant sound under accel or a one time clunk when you get on it? Could be a bad pinion angle if its constant, could be axle wrap if its a one time clunk. Could be a combo. If your axle twists when your accelerating it could affect your pinion angle causing your driveshaft to make noise, then when your speed levels out your axle corrects itself.

I don't have this issue partly because I have a 3 speed and an l16 so I don't accelerate no matter how much I stomp on it and also I don't have lowering block, which I've heard are bad for axle wrap.

Hope that helps....

[ariascarlos1990]

Mine does that also. It doesn't bother me though when my stereo is up. :D

 

I need a clutch.

[mklotz70]

If the top of your shock has a stud mount instead of a ring, look at the '65 mustang shocks.

[ariascarlos1990]

If the top of your shock has a stud mount instead of a ring, look at the '65 mustang shocks.

 

hey mklotz70 is that your daughters red and white 510 wagon rollin around here? That things sick.

[mklotz70]

nope. That used to be my wgn. I made a trade with my buddy Dave(a100addict) so that his daughter could have the automatic. He put a quick(11hr) paint job on it and most recently, the rims/tires. The '69 I got is still not on the road. My daughter has a '68 521 sitting in the driveway, waiting for me to get busy on it. I've made some progress.....but not much :)

[ariascarlos1990]

Oh I see it all the time at school where she parks it. She needs a grill

[sanitys]

fixed the clunking, had to raise the carrier bearing 1 inch.

[Drummerboy4as]

So the drive shaft wasn't lined up quite right then?