Leaf Over Lift

[williambelk587]

I am thinking about moving my leaf spring to the top of my rear axle by welding new spring perches to the top. This in theory will give me approx. 3 inches rear lift. I would have to step back down to my stock shackles since my AC's would be too long but I would still sit higher than with my PML.

Has anyone done this before? Are there any reason why I should not go through with this?

Thanks,
Will

[JeffW]

.....This in theory will give me approx. 3 inches rear lift.....


It will give you about 5" of lift. I have over 6" (-w- shackles) of lift by using that method. Also, remember it will change your driveline angles and slip yoke depth.

[Allen Cox]

If he's welding on his perches, he can change the pinion angle to compensate for the depth. You'll get some drive line vibration, but a SYE and double cardan joint will cure that.

When I did mine originally, Ryan and I did the leaf over conversion and cut off the front spring hangers at the same time. Putting on different spring hangers, in conjunction with the leaf over conversion, yielded about 3.5" of lift. We also moved the axle back about 1" as well. This got the tires away from the door. We then pointed the yoke directly at the t-case (with the weight of the truck on the axle) to get the drive shaft back on the slip yoke. I wheeled it like that for a long time. Axle wrap was the only issue. But that was also due to taking out the overload springs (hated them).

If you chose to get rid of your rear shackle mount as well, putting a generic one there, as well as take off your factory front spring perches and installing generic ones there as well, you could move your springs inboard get them centered on your frame as well. This will also help with the flexing of the rear springs on obstacles (more axle acting as leverage on the springs if the springs are inboarded).

I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Take your time, figure out how far you're wanting to go and then do it.

[williambelk587]

How about bringing the front up some? If I go with the UCA's what else will be needed to get it closer to level after the leaf over? It is going to be wickedly slanted if I keep it at PML height.

[Allen Cox]

Yes, it will be slanted. You'll need to either continue to crank up the t-bars to achieve the lift desired in the front or keep some weight in the back of the X.

If you take out/replace the front spring hangers and replace the rear shackle mounts, you'll get the back end down around where the front will be after you crank up the front end. You might still end up with a slight rake, but that's normal and desired. Otherwise, you'll be California'd out, pre-runner style with a roll of toilet paper for weight in the back end.

[bogof]

Would there be a problem with using frontier leafs since they are already spring over?

[Ryan Gee]

Shorter..

[Houdini]

spring over in the rear will yeild you about 5-6" of lift and i don't know that you are even going to come close to that kind of lift in the front (UCAs or not). i would think you would be very high in the rear compared to the front.

[Allen Cox]

If you don't swap out the original front hangers and rear shackle mounts, then there will be no way to get the lift to equal the rear. He'd have to modify the mounts.