[ihc] 4WD to 2WD springs

["Jim Grammer" <jgrammer@xxxxxxxxxx>]

>Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 12:05:06 -0700
>From: "Isaac Hastings" <isaac.hastings@domain.elided>
>Subject: [ihc] 2WD Front Springs on 4WD C-Series

>I have access to a set of front springs from a 2WD 1200C pickup. I'm
>considering putting these on my 4x4 Travelall by moving the shackle
>hanger back to the 2WD holes. I remember a discussion about this a while
>back but I don't remember the particulars. Has anyone done this? How
>much lift did you end up with by doing this? Are there any other
>pitfalls that I'm overlooking?
>Thanks,

>Isaac Hastings

Assuming that your existing springs and the 2WD springs both have
approximately the original arch, you should have roughly the same result I
had: the axle mounting point on the springs will move down just about 2.5".
I did this on a rig with no engine in it, your final ride height will depend
a great deal on the spring rate of the 2WD springs. Caster went about 5deg
positive, with a corresponding downward pinion angle. Some have reported no
deathly driveline vibrations from this(Allan W in particular IIRC), I would
be tempted to angle shim things back up a few degrees.

With the stock drag link on your truck, bump steer and limited right turn
angle start to be concerns fairly quickly as the steering box goes up. This
is a guess based on the observed angles in my conversion, but I suspect
you'll be OK. Much beyond this, and I'd wish for an open knuckle axle that
could use a raised steering arm.

This is a perfect opportunity to ditch the stock 'dimpled' shackles and
switch to urethane bushings('70's Dodge application). Not much you can do
about the dimples in the fixed mount without re-engineering/fabbing or
welding up the dimples. IIRC upgrading to 1/2 bolts lets you run the sleeves
that come with the Dodge bushings. If yer gonna stick with the stock setup,
NAPA has the corect rubber bushings. Make darn sure the stock bolts are
still solidly swaged to the shackles and front mounting bracket. The holes
that the stock bolts go through like to wallow out, net result is you can't
tighten solidly against the shoulder on the bolts.

Jim