Getting geared up to get my D60 in and going with the GM 52" rear springs up front with custom mounts and shackles.
Was doing some measuring today and found that my Ramchargers front spring mounts which are beat bad but stock are 1 3/4" narrower in the front than the rear, 31 5/8" on center in front and 33 3/8" in the rear. I guess that they are all that way, I have stock shackles and the bushings are worn at the frame but that wouldn't make much differance. this was measured from the outer side drivers spring to the inner side passenger spring just behind the front mount and in front of the shackles at the rear of the springs.
So when I get this suspension off should I set up the new spring mounts in this manner or go for even. It's a GM D60 so It's going to be differant no matter what, and moved forward too. The frame area where the shackle bushings are is wider than the axle spring pads.
I was thinking I'd get the shackles mounted, attach to rear spring eyes then bolt up the axle and play with the front mounts to get the desired shackle angle steering geometry and front spring mount width and ride height. Have a Sky Manufacturing crossover setup on the way.

sounds like your on the right track. just check, check, and re-check that the axle is square with the rear axle. kind of a pain to measure. last time i built costom spring mounts i did it just like you are planning to do. mock everything up under the truck. i left the spring center bolts long and squared everything up off them. it turned out good.

Crossover just arrived! That arm is 2" thick.:smokin:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/maximus9000/skycrossover.jpg

NICE! im gealous

Was doing some measuring today and found that my Ramchargers front spring mounts which are beat bad but stock are 1 3/4" narrower in the front than the rear, 31 5/8" on center in front and 33 3/8" in the rear. I guess that they are all that way

They are all that way, the springs are not parallel like most people assume.

The GM spring perches are 1/2" narrower than the Dodge. You could just pull the springs in and bolt it together, or you could move the front mounts inward 1/2" per side (that moves the center of the spring inward a 1/4"), or you could build shackles with a 1/2" inboard offset, or you could move the driver's side spring perch a 1/2" outward and live with an axle that is offset a 1/4" to the right side.:D

If the weather permits I'll be pulling the springs at the pick-n-pull tomorrow. I don't know what I was thinking :confused:when I ordered this crossover setup, but I should have got the high steer kit. Time to place another order for the other arm and a tie rod. Duh!

If the weather permits I'll be pulling the springs at the pick-n-pull tomorrow. I don't know what I was thinking :confused:when I ordered this crossover setup, but I should have got the high steer kit. Time to place another order for the other arm and a tie rod. Duh!

If you mount your steering box in the 2wd location, and move your axle forward much, you may not have room for high steering. The Tie rod might hit the drag link.

This is my crossover, it's a (relatively) long ORD pitman arm and the axle is moved forward about 1.2", there wouldn't be room for high steer.
http://rockcharger.com/rcs/rockcharger/pics/summer04012.jpg

Then I guess I'll set up the crossover first, and see how it looks. Got the steering box today but not the springs.

earlier today
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/maximus9000/2wdbox.jpg

tonight
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/maximus9000/2wdbox2.jpg

Chevy pad spacing is 31.5 vs. 32.5 for the Dodge. (Yes, the Dana 60 Bible is wrong).

I did the 52" spring swap on my 78 and just moved the front hangars 2 more inches together to make the spacing 31.5". I actually did the calculations on the amount of bushing deflection I would get due to the angle, and it was really minimal. I ran the suspension hard for about 1.5 years, and never replaced the 1.5" greaseable bushings. They held up great. I did bend two sets of 2 x 3/8" shackles due to hard rolls, but no bushing or bearing failure.

If you want the horizontal distance between my upper shackle bushings and the front spring eye I could measure it for you. I set up the front to maximize travel considering shackle angles based on a 5" eye to eye shackle.

If I can help let me know.

Ryan

Right on,

I'm trying to get the springs together this weekend. Working on some taller jack stands right now. Got 4 Hummer beadlocks being shipped here and then will need to recenter them when they arrive.

Did you guy's drill and tap your own steering boxes for Hydro?
I guess now's the time before it goes on. Any advice on ram size or mounting?

2" ram is too slow if you do alot of street driving. It's not super responsive. It's noticeably slow in high speed back and forth maneuvers.

1.75" ram is just right IMO. 1.5" lacks for power if you're running bigger tires.

My back is on the blink, so things are taking me longer than I'd wish to get done. Starting with standing up and being able to put shoes on, then moving on to building this rig.

Here's a link to some of my pics dont no if it might help someone.

http://www.desertrides.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4957

thanks for the insight............I am doing this very swap this winter....same springs and all.........I knew about the width issue, but don't have a solid plan of what i want to do to solve the problem...this has really helped!!!!

keep me updated!!

thanx again!!!

robbins18 that's some dern nice work you have there!

Thank's

:grinpimp:

guess i could share some info Lol ,though's pitman arm's i see in the above pic's are way to dropped Unless you move the box way forward i used a arm for a 1.5 lift.(2wd frame location).

:grinpimp:

guess i could share some info Lol ,though's pitman arm's i see in the above pic's are way to dropped Unless you move the box way forward i used a arm for a 1.5 lift.(2wd frame location).

I agree, at least on mine. I changed mine from the ORD arm to a stock Dodge 2wd pitman arm, trimmed the crossmember slightly, and I have a much better drag link angle and it doesn't drag on the driver's side leaf spring anymore. The ORD drag link doesn't touch anything, even under full flex.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid195/pf7079fa9942a8ce7271320aa1e5e85ed/f15c3bc4.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid195/pcd613e7e70e12435702674d97a4ef40f/f15c3afb.jpg

With mine I removed the crossmember I made a new one, I have alot of up travel, so I can't have any rub that just does not fly with me.I went with Avalanche Engineering for all my crossover steering stuff.I did and don't have any problems with metal to metal. But each person does there own thing so things will end up not the same.

Ok i have to finish a few :beer: have a good one

Once I get the springs and axle on the truck I'll experiment with the pitman arms. The Sky draglink is straight, isn't the ORD a bent one?