Spring Flip to Lengthen Wheelbase?

[Pinion]

Ok, I am getting confused about what people are saying flip the springs front to rear to gain wheelbase. I think I am over-thinking the whole thing and gotten myself confused.

Does that mean take the rear spring off, turn it 180*, and reinstall it in its same location over the same axle?


Is there anything else I need to do while doing this? Does it require shims? I am asking because I put in a 4 speed tranny and tcase into my '72 and am swapping yokes to use the 4 speed shafts at the tranny end, and 3 speed shafts at the axle ends. Instead of getting the rear shaft retubed, I figure I may as well increase the wheelbase at the same time.

Thanks!

 

[bsilva132]

Yes, just spin each spring around. Basically the long side of the spring is now in the front and the short side is in the back. the spring pin is offset and not in the center. I took the time to take the spring packs apart, wire wheel them, paint them, added a thin layer of grease between each leaf, and replaced the spring pin before I reinstalled them. If you can find slip plate (paint with graphite in it) that would be better than the grease. I used what I had on hand. If you are SOA, I would suggest a ladder bar also to prevent axle wrap.

 

[Mace]

Yes it is that easy.

HOWEVER, flip the military wrap around so that it is on the frame side, not the shackle side.

This is very important..

 

[Pinion]

Thanks guys. I was wondering if it was just that simple! I will get on it tomorrow since I have to replace my rear shock mount/spring plates anyways. Thanks for the extra tip Mace. I will definitely do that. I would have overlooked it if you hadnt said anything.

 

[red dirt squirt]

what's the militairy wrap?

 

[red dirt squirt]

does it increase articulation?

 

[lone gunman]

the military wrap is on the second spring in the leaf spring pack it has an extra loop or wrap around the eye of the spring where the pin goes thru to hold it in place. its just there to hold things together if the spring were to brake so you could get home, it was required by the military on vehicles, hense the name military wrap.

 

[red dirt squirt]

wow, i had no idea...the springs im putting on don't have that but the one's on there do. Can the spring reversal increase articulation?

 

[Pinion]

I guess if you were to ramp it there would be a little change in numbers as your wheelbase changed a tad, but thats about it. The spring will flex the same.

 

[Mace]

Just speaking from experience on this one


BTW, if you know a spring shop have them punch the new hole. Drilling a hole in the spring is not as easy as it might sound.. .

 

[Pinion]

Oh, so if I put the wrap back to the front, it will need a new hole. I figured it would after you brought that up.

 

[mathblaster]

About how much wheelbase length will you gain by flipping the springs around?
-would I have to mess with my drive shaft length?, I just did that...

And if I don't have military wrap springs because I made a poor choice when picking out a lift kit, I really shouldn't need to do anything but flip the spring around, right?

 

[usmcruiser]

I'd hate to turn a "small" project into a larger one (as what typicaly happens to me) but you may want to consider doing a shackel reversal. That way you dont have to redrill the front spings and you get a better approach angle.

 

[Herky]

I haven't researched this at all, but I would think that you would have to change the drive shaft lenght to move the axles farther to the rear. No? I've seen pictures of guys that flipped the spring, but and like the outcome, but I just can't comprehend how you can do it without lengthening the drive shaft.

 

[paranoid56]

yea, the drive shaft will have to be longer by a few inches now. just retube it
Shane

 

[bsilva132]

When you redrill the spring pin hole, use losts of cutting oil and low rpms (~200 rpms). It takes a little bit, but you can do it.

 

[red dirt squirt]

ok so how do you measure the driveshaft then assuming you've sucessfully reversed the shackles and springs?

 

[red dirt squirt]

nevermind, i got it on the other thread

 

[Mace]

When you redrill the spring pin hole, use losts of cutting oil and low rpms (~200 rpms). It takes a little bit, but you can do it.

Just take it to a spring shop and have the new one punched....

 

[HI^C]

just drill it with a end mill, quicker then all and any of the above.




cheaper to shorten, just by a front shaft and have it done.