Rear tray for my rusty '86 pickup

[mongoose2231]

Also, the shacke angle, completely inadequate.

 

[ttrmike]

Also, the shacke angle, completely inadequat

It said 2" lift, and with the amount of leaves, I'm thinking heavy duty. The truth is it's lifted the rear up by at least 4 inches. Drives like s***, twitchy steering, and I can't see s*** at night anymore. I'm gonna try to jack up the front by torquing the bars, but I was thinking exactly what @ttrmike said, remove the first main at bott9m of pack, and the shortest overload leaf. I'm just not sure if there is enough thread on the new ome u bolts. My spring bumper fell apart when I took them off, so I lost a bit of the bolt length there.
Also, can the center bolt be reused with the removal of the two leaves, or am I looking at new center bolts??

The center bolt and U-bolt lengths were pretty much maxed out when I removed both leaves. I’d guess you’d have just enough length left on the U-bolts with the bumpstops removed if you tightened them squarely.

 

[mongoose2231]

Right, thanks for the input. Will report.

 

[mongoose2231]

Removed the extra leaves, lowered height, still has bout 2" of lift. Handled better. Will try listing the front a tad as well.
Pics.

 

[mongoose2231]

Gotta cut the exceso u bolt length.

 

[mongoose2231]

Went fishing again!

 

[pappy]

Went fishing again!
View attachment 3460118

That looks like it sucks.

 

[mongoose2231]

Fish didn't bite, again!

 

[WoodsTruck]

What is the load capacity given so few remaining leaves?
Move a "spare" leaf to the front for lift?

 

[mongoose2231]

It's ifs, can't use on front. I kind of like it as is now.

 

[mongoose2231]

Washed the truck today and gave it a coat of ceramic protectant. I was surprised to find a bunch or road chips on the front valance and the rockers. I haver installed a set of mud guards that I had laying around. I also have a set of 2022 4 runner running boards, messing with the idea of throwing those on. I just want this thing to stay pretty as long as possible. For now I have used paint I have left over to cover them chips. Once the bed/ tray is sorted, it'll look like a million bucks.

 

[mongoose2231]

Guys, one more q. Decals or no??

 

[Beams37]

Decals!

 

[G-Cat]

Decals 100%

 

[Manhattan]

I'm on the other side. I really like decals on most of these trucks. But when the truck has a flatbed/trayback, the decals on the cab seem to create more visual separation between the cab and bed - or lack of bed - since that half of the graphics pack is left off.

 

[mongoose2231]

That makes a lot of sense. It just looks odd without...I am going to ponder over this for a bit.

 

[G-Cat]

I'm on the other side. I really like decals on most of these trucks. But when the truck has a flatbed/trayback, the decals on the cab seem to create more visual separation between the cab and bed - or lack of bed - since that half of the graphics pack is left off.

I agree for your truck…but I’d put them on this one.

 

[WoodsTruck]

Just my opinion, but this truck is currently not balanced front to rear. If the bed were cleaned up and painted and had some color to it, besides the typical black, it might make sense to me, but I think it would overpower the current balance struggle.
I was visualizing a small toolbox/rack/tray thing in front of the rear wheels to put tow chain/tire chains in to give the rear a little bulk to help even it out. Maybe paint the bed to match the cab to keep the body color flowing... Nice rig, but not balanced to my eye.

 

[mongoose2231]

****en deer!!

 

[pappy]

Well hell.