Spacers removal for lowering rear end

[Rocky in KC]

so would you say I need (4) 5 1/2 x "1/2"----or do I need 6" long----

also what grade bolt---do you think 5 would do--or do I need 8 grade??

many thanks, R

 

[Bob Fennema]

The stock ones are grade 8. Interesting the passenger side of my had buggered threads also. Bad Robot on that side of the assembly line?

 

[klenger]

I think the pass side bolts on mine were messed up too, but it was too long ago to remember which side it was.

 

[phloop]

so would you say I need (4) 5 1/2 x "1/2"----or do I need 6" long----

also what grade bolt---do you think 5 would do--or do I need 8 grade??

many thanks, R

I did measure the stock ones when I had them out but can not remember it. If you have a way to cut them, I'd get the 6". You can put the spring packs back together and then cut the extra length off afterwards.



Anyone want to guess if the vibration problem we have might be tied to an out of tolerance machine on some assembly line? Or at least aggravated by it?



That or maybe it's some worker with too much Tequila in him? :-laf

 

[nickleinonen]

i was reading the few new posts on this thinking no way my stock bolts were like 6" long when i relocated mine, but then i looked closer at the pictures... mine is a 2500, with no overload springs... mine is 4. 5" from end to end...

 

[WStoops]

Cool Tony, I think it makes these trucks look just right.

Can anyone post a picture of the lowered truck. That is the only fault with their appearance, they seem too high in the rear and the tires are too small for the wheel well openings.

 

[WStoops]

Anyone notice a difference in driving as the lowering in the rear has the effect of making caster more +.

 

[Tony T.]

Matt has pics of his truck in the readers rigs, I believe he has 33" tires on it. Stock tires are 32" if I measured right, which is what I have. Sorry I don't have any pics of mine posted "yet" working on trying to get the digtal camera from the wife :-laf. Anyway to me it gives it a more level look, but is still slightly higher in the rear maybe a inch.



Very easy mod to swap back to stock if you decide you don't like the look after all. No difference that I could tell in driverablity.



Tony

 

[Rocky in KC]

air bags/sway bar, any problems

Want to do mod----we will be hauling heavy (sometimes) 11 1/2 overhead Lance. That said, we will install air bags, and a sway bar---will this mod WORK--with these compoents????? thanks R

 

[Rocky in KC]

also does it change the overload spring contact--on 3500 drw--does it matter?? thanks,R

 

[phloop]

Anyone notice a difference in driving as the lowering in the rear has the effect of making caster more +.

After lowering mine I haven't noticed any difference in the way it handles, I did notice the dreaded vibration we have is now less than what I had to begin with.

 

[Rocky in KC]

SPECIAL TOOLS/will I need C-clamps, formod

will I need C-clamps to do this mod--wanting to do it tomorrow, away from home--and do not have all my tools with me--many thanks, R

 

[klenger]

C-clamps make the job easier because they hold the spring pack together. Without them the upper springs might arch, which makes the holes for the bolts not line up correctly. Can't say if it will work or not. You are welcome to use mine.

 

[Rocky in KC]

dang, would love to borrow your clamps but in Huntsville,Al--at this time----darn working!!!

we hope to be out your way soon enough--have retirement land near Silver City,NM

 

[GSX600]

I have the Firestone ride-rite air bags. If I lower the truck, will the bags be compressed so much that the truck will bottomed out.



2003 HO QC silver LWB 48re xm radio Cooper Discoverer ATR's

 

[phloop]

will I need C-clamps to do this mod--wanting to do it tomorrow, away from home--and do not have all my tools with me--many thanks, R

C-clamps sure make the job nicer. I did it without them and it was kind of a bear. I lined up the bolt holes in the springs and installed the bolts then lowered the truck onto the springs causing the springs to compress enough to get the nuts started on the bolts. Made for a bunch of raising and lowering but I got it done.

 

[CoastyAV8R]

I used vice grips to hold my leaf springs together when I did mine. I think the truck looks better with them removed and since the heaviest trailer I pull now is 4000 lbs, I don't need the extra elevation from the blocks. Took me a little more than an hour to do mine.

 

[Sixpac2]

also does it change the overload spring contact--on 3500 drw--does it matter?? thanks,R

Does anyone have any experience with this before I do it. I do have bags and like it when the upper overloads are not in contact. it just rides better.

OR



if they do contact early can one just remove 1 of the upper overloads and have one instead of 2 ?

 

[tkerrigan]

In getting ready to in stall my air bags I switched the spacers on one day and then installed the air bags the next day, after I put the spacers back where they were so I could get the air bags in. If you plan on doing air bags, don't switch the spacers!!

 

[klenger]

Wow, this one came back from the dead.