HELP! Center pin and perch holes (1 Viewer)

[Vandal FJ]

I am in the middle of swapping a 1977 front axle under my 1972. The center pin on the Skyjacker lift springs for the 1972 axle is a bit too big to fit in the 1977 spring perch center hole on the axle. I realize that it would seem there are different size pins, but my 1977 axle seems to have a extra plate welded to the perch?? There's the perch... and a plate welded to that. Is that normal? Should I grind the welds and remove the extra plate, or just ream the center pin hole and keep moving forward?

Just don't want to screw something up... pics to follow!

 

[Vandal FJ]

 

[GRM]

My guess is at some point the u bolts came loose and wollowed out the holes in the orig spring perch. That welded on plate is a fix.
Drill out the hole to fit your springs and your good to go.

 

[Vandal FJ]

From the look of the factory hole, I think you’re right. Drilling it out. Thanks!!!

 

[brian]

i would ditch the extra plate, otherwise it looks like you would need a longer head on the spring to make up into the axle perch.

 

[Vandal FJ]

i would ditch the extra plate, otherwise it looks like you would need a longer head on the spring to make up into the axle perch.

The plate is welded to the perch... I will have to look at the original hole and assess it from there...

 

[brian]

that is not welded, that is tacked.

 

[Mark Jennings]

Lowering Blocks?

 

[jim land]

Shims on both side. ?

 

[Vandal FJ]

Shims on both side. ?

Yep. There’s one tacked on, with 6 welds, on each side. The original perch holes are oblonged out from a previous owner.

 

[pbgbottle]

I don’t think those will move. If the old holes are messed up I would leave the plates and drill them to fit also.