Fullsize Travelall & Pickup lift using GM 4-spring 4" lift kit

[LeeC]

After a lot of research, I'm going to give Suspension Restoration Parts bushing #2180 a try for the frame shackle mounts. Ordered up 4 today.
http://www.suspension.com/4-bar.htm
Spec's for their #2180 (Leaf Spring Bushing, $2.50 each):
0.997" = Barrel OD
0.501" = Barrel ID
1.200" = Barrel Length
0.340" = Flange thickness
1.528" = Overall Length

I plan to run 1/2" x 5.5" Grade 8 fine thread bolts on the front shackle. No sleeve with a jam-nut & lock-nut at the frame and the sleeve provided with the Rough Country kit drilled out to 1/2" (5/8" OD) at the spring with lock washer and lock-nut.

[bigmookied]

Those are all Energy Suspension parts broken out of the kit. Nice since you only need half (or less) of the kit.

[LeeC]

Yes, Bruce at SRP is very helpful and can get just about anything you need if time is not a concern. Custom made takes time... I liked these because the Flange Thickness is almost 3/8" unlike the Dodge ones that only had about 1/8" Flange Thickness.

Another bushing worth considering is Energy Suspension #2363, which is contained within their 1973-78 Dodge Charger Rear Leaf Spring kit #5.2110. Barrel OD is 1.011, Barrel ID is 0.563 (fluted), Flange thickness is 0.360 (beveled) and Overall Length is 1.565 - according to Kevin at ES. (I found a deal on one of these kits, so I ordered it up as well to compare)

- - -

Got the entire main lowered spring mount welded up. Will cut the under-frame bracket tomorrow and tack it in place for welding later this week.

[LeeC]

Woo-Whoo, Bro came thru!

All welded up and ready to mark the mounting holes for drilling. Unfortunately it's raining in my part of sunny SoCal today and the project is outside in the elements, so I can't mark and drill today. I've got my weekend project ready to go...

[LeeC]

Spent the day aligning, clamping, drilling and bolting. Got it all drilled and bolted in the correct location for a test fit.



Now it all comes back off for painting... Guess I'll have to get the frame all painted up as well

[LeeC]

Originally Posted by bigmookied

those are the 36" ES3000's, work well with my big heavy beast.

RE: Using Found-On-Road-Dead front shock towers...

Any advantage to using those longer shock towers and shocks? I like the style of the top mount beter, but not sure what advantage the added length would give me? How do you like those shocks? Cost?

If I'm going to make that change/update now is the time, prior to frame painting...

[LeeC]

PRI - Hope you are still following this thread...

Did you find a direct bolt-on Chebby Suburban steering box arm that matches the Chebby D44 steering arm hole for use with Chebby ends? I seem to recall you mentioning a "V2500"???

Tried to view your site, but my dialup got all bogged down with all the pictures.

If so, please post the year, make and model with source and part number if you have it.

Thanks, Lee

[pri]

Lee,

Yes, I did find a direct bolt on steering box and pitman arm. It is from a Suburban V2500, so you recall it right. Just looked it up on Rock (I picked a 1991, but up to '98 should fit) and got the following:
ACDELCO Part # 360517524
A-1 CARDONE Part # 277524
I would recommend the ACDELCO part as I've heard some bad things about Cardone reman stuff.
Pitman arm doesn't seem to be available at Rock, but I've seen them at Summit.

Should you go junk yard hunting, look for a steering box that has the pitman arm pointing to the left, or rearwards.

Sorry you got hogged up by the pictures. They're not very big but there are plenty of them.
When I get the time (and feel up to do it) I'll make a new index page with selectable chapters covering separate pieces of the build, like steering, engine, tranny, rust, etc.
By the way, the steering stuff you were after is in the '64 build page, it has the smaller pictures and should load faster...

[bigmookied]

Originally Posted by LeeC

RE: Using Found-On-Road-Dead front shock towers...

Any advantage to using those longer shock towers and shocks? I like the style of the top mount beter, but not sure what advantage the added length would give me? How do you like those shocks? Cost?

If I'm going to make that change/update now is the time, prior to frame painting...

I do not bottom out or overextend regardless of what I do and I get a good amount of flex, see gratuitous pics. The towers I got from the Furd dealer and were less than $40 for the pair. The shocks are from 4WP and ran about $40 each on whatever sale they are running every other week now. I am not sure of the exact number but just ask them for the 36" 3000 series with eyes on both ends.

[LeeC]

Pri - Thank you for that detailed info! I'll revisit your site from my other location with a high-speed internet connection. I'll also check out the post you referred to.

BigMookied - DITTO! Don't the Furd shock mounts take a striaght up threaded stud top shock mount? Or do they have "eyes" on both ends like you mention?

- - - - -

Goodies all painted up and ready to mount:

Got all the Grade 8 hardware at McFaddenDales off La Palma and Blue Gum in The OC (and some from Osh). If you live in Orange County, CA they are a great place to find just about everything. They also have DOM tubing, metal weld-on brackets, trailer stuff, tools of every kind, etc... I found the "all metal" locking nuts there and only there. Expensive little booggers!