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| Lowering Straight Axle Truck by removing leaves https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15047 |
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| Author: | Daddiojoe [ Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:33 am ] |
| Post subject: | Lowering Straight Axle Truck by removing leaves |
Since the folks on this site seem to have a lot of savvy and knowledge, I've got to ask about this. On another site there are a couple of guys testifying that removing leafsprings from their straight axle D100s is a great way to lower them, and they'll still ride fine afterwards with no ill effects. Anybody want to chime in? Thanks, Joe |
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| Author: | slantvaliant [ Wed Nov 16, 2005 1:59 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
If you try it, be careful! Make the change, then carefully test to see if it's really what you want. Spring and damping rates can make or break a car's ride, handling, and possibly safety. Those of us who mess around with older cars and trucks tend to swap springs and such around pretty casually, but it took a lot of engineering to get reasonable load capacity, ride, handling, etc in that set of springs and shocks under a wide variety of situations. If you go outside the factory ranges, you're on your own. Think about the race teams that are constantly adjusting and testing ... Removing or adding leaves is one way of adjusting spring rates that is both low-cost and reversible. If the truck is not used for hauling much weight anymore, you might get away with it. Beware that your existing shocks' damping properties may not match up as well with the now less-stiff springs. Quote: they'll still ride fine afterwards
Ride quality is a very subjective thing.
Quote: no ill effects
Probably no permanent effects, if that's what they mean. If you happened on a serious mismatch, you could experience excessive sway, harshness, hitting the stops, oscillations, and other weirdness in handling could put your truck into a tree - and that can be a very ill effect.Be careful! |
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| Author: | sandy in BC [ Wed Nov 16, 2005 2:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Thats not how I would lower a D100 but hey! everyone has there own ideas. .....OK heres mine: I would replace the leafs with those from a Chev 1/2 ton 4x4. They are reverse arched...longer , softer, and a better design. You can drill out the rivets on the Chev perches and bolt them on the Dodge truck. You still have the road manners you want and a 2-3" drop. You might consider adding the Chev sway bar while your at it...and mebbe the chev power steering box..... My GF has a 66 D100 that we installed a Volare clip under,,,,lotsa work...not recommended for beginners. |
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| Author: | volaredon [ Wed Nov 16, 2005 3:07 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
 I have another idea for you... how about putting a Volare subframe on there then you could adjust the front end height with the turn of 2 bolts!!  Any time you alter the height, regardless of how, you NEED to realign the truck, because the ride height affects all the readings... camber, caster, and toe. PS; I happen to have 2 complete Volare K frames laying around.... 
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| Author: | sandy in BC [ Wed Nov 16, 2005 4:14 pm ] |
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The Volare subframe swap is NOT easy. You have to make new frame rails from the firewall forward.....other than that its a snap. |
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| Author: | CStryker [ Wed Nov 16, 2005 4:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Quote: I would replace the leafs with those from a Chev 1/2 ton 4x4. They are reverse arched...longer , softer, and a better design.
What year range are you talking? Also, how does it affect load handling? Since it's from a 1/2 ton anyway, I would assume that it doesn't?
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| Author: | sandy in BC [ Wed Nov 16, 2005 7:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
73 to 87 half ton 4x4 pickup.....same front spring used on 3/4 ton. The 1 ton crew cab is heavier (thats what I use) but is too much for a 1/2 ton. It will handle load better than the stock 1/2 ton D100 spring. |
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| Author: | Daddiojoe [ Thu Nov 17, 2005 11:34 am ] |
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I knew I could get some good advice here. Thanks for the tips. The project is on a back burner, but as always, I've received good advice here. thanks, Joe |
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