Moving springs

[Nissanclay]

So I have been reading this crazy talk about moving leaf springs inboard. My question is how hard is that kind of move. I always get hung up on the front hangers of my rear springs. Cutting those off would be sweet. I could see how mounting the front of the spring inside the frame would be done....well maybe. But I can't see how that would happen in the rear. Also, I figure doing a Ubolt flip a the same time would be easy. Since this is my daily, what would this do to the on road driving characteristics(sp?)? is this a waist of time? Am I dumb? Is there a better option? It would be nice to do this during my SAS or even soon after or before. In my mind I think it would be a worth while mod mainly because I get rid of those huge spring hangers. Well, I'm sure I'll have tons more questions.

[CurleyMan]

http://www.nissansas.com/rigs/ryan/hb/bedbob/gastank/Tank.htm
looks like someone else beet ya to it. And it is a good idea i will be doing the same thing soon...

[CurleyMan]

However this will dramatically affect your cornering performance. I think it's only for a wheelin truck. You will have more leverage on the springs and therefore your springs will feel softer. I think maybe there may be a better way to approach this if this is indeed your DD. Can you show us in a pic what is causing trouble...

[Allen Cox]

Actually, I got rid of my front spring hangers (for the rear leafs) a long time ago, also went spring over (SO) at the same time.

I don't get hung up on those things any more.

The one issue to inboarding the springs on our rigs is that the gas tank is in the way of the inboard position. Ryan's able to do this by moving his gas tank to behind the axle (utilizing a Pathfinder tank).

If you simply got rid of the hangers, used factory shackles (you'll be way to high with a taller shackle) and used some weld on spring perches, you could do it. But mind you, you'd need to raise the front end considerably.

Now, if you did all that, and then SASed the front end, you would be all set! Factory setup in the rear, SAS (probably a leaf spring setup would be easiest/quickest/cheapest) the front and still be able to DD your truck on a hot date!

Ryan, Tyler and I have a lot of ideas that we will be implementing on several different rigs (the PhoeniX as well) just to prove that you don't have to throw a lot of money at something to get an end product that's usable and driveable.

[CurleyMan]

Don't hate me Allen but i feel no matter what is suspending your front axle you will spend the same ammount of money. I added it up and maybe Air shocks in the front would cost more because of the hole you gotta punch in the hood... A guy would have to spend one thousand bucks on parts hanging that front axle no matter how he chooses. With the leafs however you need to either clock it or run a high pinion.. just my opinion though don't mean to walk on ya especially cause i'm gonna be asking you to set up my t-case..

[ChefTyler]

Well there's a diff between a $3000.00 SAS and a $10,000.00 SAS.

You're right, though, it's never cheap...it can just be made more cost effective :D

[Nissanclay]

Actually, I got rid of my front spring hangers (for the rear leafs) a long time ago, also went spring over (SO) at the same time.

I don't get hung up on those things any more.

The one issue to inboarding the springs on our rigs is that the gas tank is in the way of the inboard position. Ryan's able to do this by moving his gas tank to behind the axle (utilizing a Pathfinder tank).

If you simply got rid of the hangers, used factory shackles (you'll be way to high with a taller shackle) and used some weld on spring perches, you could do it. But mind you, you'd need to raise the front end considerably.

Now, if you did all that, and then SASed the front end, you would be all set! Factory setup in the rear, SAS (probably a leaf spring setup would be easiest/quickest/cheapest) the front and still be able to DD your truck on a hot date!

Ryan, Tyler and I have a lot of ideas that we will be implementing on several different rigs (the PhoeniX as well) just to prove that you don't have to throw a lot of money at something to get an end product that's usable and driveable.


I knew the gas tank would be in the way. I have a body lift and wanted to raise my gas tank and thought that would provide room. Speaking of that, if I raise my tank do you think a there is a need for a gas tank skid?

I'm already spring over so I'm sure how I would gain allot of height. What do the weld on spring perches look like? I did not know that was an option.

[DamnHippie]

A gas tank skid of some sort is always needed, IMO. If your tank is way up high out of the way maybe a thin one like the factory one is fine, tho. (I welded some 1/8 plate to my factor skid and it's strong enough to lift the whole truck by now, that was a cheap functional mod.)

The u-bolt flip should be pretty easy, just need to fab up some plates to go up on top of the springs instead of under them (a few bucks of scrap steel and some welding), have Denver Spring custom bend some new u-bolts (about $8 each), and make new mounts for the shocks -- the tricky bit, IMO. I'm probably going to be doing all of this sometime this year, and it'll probably be the kind of thing that's just as easy to do for a couple trucks at once as for one.

[JeffW]

I don't recommend it unless you are in a situation and you need to do it. Your frame has been hardened after it was welded and any heat from cutting and welding can take the temper out of it. The spring hangers may be a pain sometimes, but as soon as you have enough lift, they won't be so much of an issue.

[Alpine Spirit]

Here are the part I have so far.

Sloped front hanger to reduce rock drag.
http://www.datinfab.com/ProductImages/slopedhanger_600.jpg

Actual Perch
http://www.datinfab.com/ProductImages/PERCH.JPG

Spring Plate
https://catalog.foothilloffroad.com/images/FO1791.gif

[Allen Cox]

I forgot that you were spring over already. With that in mind, then you'd need to either use a lift block or longer shackles to compensate for the frame mounts going higher. You might also have to shim the axle to compensate for driveline angle.

Welding on a frame isn't going to hurt it that much. Don't overthink it. It'll be fine. They don't retemper it after it's all welded up at the factory.

If though your gas tank has been raised, it still won't clear inboarding of your springs. But clearancing your existing hangers will gain you a ton in terms of getting over things. I've been able to follow Cherokees now and clear, were I used to get stuck on those damn things! I love not having the hangers there now.

I used hangers off of a 2005 Frontier, as they were readily available to me then. If I had it to do over again, I'd just use some universal 2.5" hangers and then weld them straight up to the frame with some minor gusseting (as they hang over the side of the frame about 1/4" or so).

Don't worry Ben, it's just the internet, and I know you have valuable concerns and such. Discussions are just discussions, I don't take 'em personally! I still put 100% into my work, and will be happy to work on anything you have. That goes for everyone. It's all good! :D

[Nissanclay]

So you are saying changing the hangers will raise my ass even higher? I would really like to do this before summer/moab but if it will make my ass even higher then i'll wait until I SAS. I have 2" springs in the back now would going back to stock springs with this setup help to level me out? I could save the 2" springs until the SAS.

Hey Ryan, any chance of getting some help/space from you if I do this before Moab? I don't have the welding skills for a project like this. My dad usually does the important welding and he has been working on a big project at work so its 7 days a week for his until May. I know you have alot on your plate already with the HB so if you can't swing it that cool.

[Ryan Gee]

My plate is full with four solid axle swaps going on. That spring conversion shouldn't be to big a deal. I will know how much extra garage time is availble after next month....

[Nissanclay]

Damn your quick! Thanks.

[ChefTyler]

The lower hangers will drop your ass end, not raise it.

[DamnHippie]

My garage is available and my new welder should be up to that sort of work. Even if my truck is still in the garage there'd be room to put yours in the other side for a day. But I mostly only have weekends off right now.

Oh, Clay, you left an allen wrench here from when we did your steering. Which is cool, because it was exactly the size I needed to get one of the brackets off the pathfinder engine.

[Nissanclay]

Oh, Clay, you left an allen wrench here from when we did your steering. Which is cool, because it was exactly the size I needed to get one of the brackets off the pathfinder engine.

Ha! perfect! I remember you saying you didn't have on that size when we were taking apart my steering. Let me see if thats part of the set I have or if its the one I aquired from circuit city. If I if its not part of my set then keep it. But I know one was longer than the other and the longer one is part of my set. I'm sure we will meet up again so i get it from you eventually. Of coarse now that I know its missing I need it.

Thanks for the garage offer. I still have to figure out what it is going to do heigth wise and my next weekend day off is not for a while.