[Dirk00TJ]

Hey Gang, I'm looking at doing a 63" chevy leaf swap and I see the center pins are located in the middle of the leaf pack, as opposed to being offset towards one end like some other springs.
Anyone ever re-drilled the leaf pack and moved the center pin? Any problems doing that? Thanks!

 

[1TonCJ-7]

Ya, you weaken it considerably. I personally have never heard of that being done. The way I see it, you are just making sure the spring will break when it is flexed. I may be wrong though, I am still a stupid fawking newbie too.:flipoff2:

 

[Dirk00TJ]

Just thought the chevy leafs might be beefy enough to not be affected as long as the hole isn't too close to the other one...?

 

[sw99]

Hope you have stock in some good cutting oil!!!!:flipoff2:

 

[JeepinIan]

They can and have been drilled before. The concern that I have, and the reason I will not cange the center pin on a leaf spring is that you have now created a major stress riser where the old hole was. The spring will break there.

 

[sceep]

dont do it. you'd be better off making an offset hole in your perch. Even then thats a less than optimum option. Why areent you looking for different springs while your "looking at doing 63" chebbys" ??? :comfused:

 

[Dirk00TJ]

dont do it. you'd be better off making an offset hole in your perch. Even then thats a less than optimum option. Why areent you looking for different springs while your "looking at doing 63" chebbys" ??? :comfused:

I guess I am looking at different springs now... Time to hit the salvage yard for some R&D. I need something with an offset center pin, but the XJ leafs are a bit wimpy. I like the chevy's thicker leaves, and bigger mounting bolts. Sounds like they ride and flex well too. Anyone got ideas on longer, beefier leafs that might work for me?

 

[RawkRash]

If you have to do it, a carbide tipped masonry bit, run at low RPM and a little oil will walk right thru them. If you have a drill press, it's no problem. We just did some on my neighbor's XJ and one masonry bit would have drilled 50 springs. I was amazed at how well it worked. Whether the spring will work without snapping thru the original hole remains to be seen, but the drill made the hole easily.

 

[oldjeep]

I guess I am looking at different springs now... Time to hit the salvage yard for some R&D. I need something with an offset center pin, but the XJ leafs are a bit wimpy. I like the chevy's thicker leaves, and bigger mounting bolts. Sounds like they ride and flex well too. Anyone got ideas on longer, beefier leafs that might work for me?

Dodge Dakota springs have a 10" offset and are about 54" long - very flexy. I've got dakota springs on the rear and durango springs on the front of my stretched 2a, but havn't used them yet.

 

[ccj8008]

If you are not going for more than a few inches, just drill the top leaf then slide the rest of the pack back to align with the new hole. Combine this with an offset hole on the spring pad. On the coloradok5 board you can get info on their zero rate offsets. Gives a 1" additional offset.

 

[Keith Strong]

f150's

 

[kd7srj]

make different mounting plates for the springs to mount to the frame
thats what the zuki guys do when they use yj springs

 

[Dirk00TJ]

I am making all custom mounting plates, etc. I just need something with an offset center pin to keep the axle as far rearward as possible- especially if the springs are long.
I'll be checking out the salvage yard tomorrow.

Any other leafs come to mind while were at it? Thanks gang!

 

[pyros46290]

s10 springs are 53" but kinda flimsy. flexy, but flimsy