red87

I have an 1987 4x4 pickup and I bought the CS019R springs and now the shackle is resting on the frame. I had the CS009R springs on it before and the shackle angle on those was 90 degrees. This leads me to believe that the "correct" springs are too long and the others are too short. I have never heard of anyone having problems with OME stuff before. While attempting to figure out what is wrong, I measured the shackle to see if it was a non-stock length but it measured out just fine. I also checked the frame to look for evidence that someone had rewelded the shackle hanger or spring hanger and they seemed fine. Obviously I was reaching here but now I am completely out of ideas. Does anyone have some ideas for me?

algranger

is it possible you got different springs than you ordered?

red87

I checked the part number on the springs and it says CS019R. Have you heard of OME mislabeling their springs ever?

algranger

never heard of it but theres always that slim possibility.
maybe this is a good excuse to do a double shackle setup

red87

haha, i was thinking that on my very painful drive home

algranger

hahaha yeah i had the same issue on my old truck, it wasn't the most pleasurable ride. i was running jeep springs though. i dont know what to do about your springs thats pretty weird hopefully someone else will chime in
good luck

abecedarian

unloaded, the shackle can be up to 90 degrees / perpendicular to the frame.
sounds like you had the correct leaf to begin with.
keep in mind when you compress the leaf it get's longer
so the more distance the shackle can travel through the more travel you potentially can have.
and the softest possible ride too.

swerks

Measure your old spring length (OEM) and compare to new springs the arch may be different but length sould be same. new springs need time to settle

red87

That's the other problem. I installed the springs at my friend's house which is about two hours away and I don't know what we did with the stock springs. If my truck is supposed to use the 43" springs and I want to use the 47.5" springs, do I need to move the shackle hanger and the spring hanger or just the shackle hanger? Is there a set amount for that or is it something I just need to measure on my own?

abecedarian

whether or not you need to move the front hanger would depend on the distance between the axle locating pins on the two different springs. if the pin is the same distance from the front eye on both springs, then you'd only move the rear. if the pin is further back on the longer spring, you'd need to move the front hanger accordingly as well as the rear. otherwise the wheels would not be centered in the wheel well.

algranger

the best way to do that ^ is to hang a plumb line (string with a weight) to let you know where your center pin should be, then move your hangers and mounts accordingly, just make sure you measure measure measure!

abecedarian

...and make sure the truck is level too.

red87

got it, thanks folks

red87

I'm guessing if I go from the bumpstop strike plate on the frame, I want the end of my plumb-bob to be directly above the center of the bumpstop. Correct?

abecedarian

you'll probably want the center of the pin on the spring about 1/8-1/4" in front of the plumb bob point. that way when the spring compresses (and gets longer) the pin (which will move towards the rear) ends up near center on that brace on the frame.
get what I'm saying?

red87

yeah I think so. As the spring compresses, the spring pin moves rearward in relation to the plumb-bob. Right?

Pistonman

I put the 47" on my 87 pickup, and had to move the front and rear to keep the axle centered, and the correct shackle angle..
The payoff should be a softer ride, and more travel. I am about 3/4 through a frame up build so I have not tried them yet.

abecedarian

yes. that's why I suggested the 1/8-1/4 offset.
I can't be specific without knowing the arc of the springs and pin to eye length though.

and be meticulous in your measurements- like algranger said- "measure measure measure"
if one side is off from the other, it will cause the truck to 'dog track' or go down the road with the rear kicked off to one side or the other.

truck needs to be level, both front to back and left to right if you're going to use the plumb bob