93 pickup SAS and rear chevy springs
Feb 15, 2026 | 04:22 PM
#41
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From: Anne Arundel,MD
It might of been quicker to jist cut everything out with the torch. But i wanted to keep the front assembly clean and together with the bracket lift kit still attached. First think to get unbolted was the torsion bars followed by the upper a arms that are connected to the torsion bars. After that in no real order just started unbolting everything.
It did put up a bit of a fight getting everything out as one piece. The entire assembly is WAY heavier then i expected. Used chain fall to pick it up to get the dollies under it.
Feb 15, 2026 | 04:29 PM
#42
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This was the most difficult spot of the entire cutting process. The gas line right next to it and the auto trans cooler lines directly above it. With the rag three times on itself and dripping wet, and the lower half of a pair of my leathers on the trans lines i was able to get in and get what i needed cut off with the torch. More that gets torched off the less grinding to do.
Still have grinding to do. But happy this part is over withpit any damage to truck with burning anything.
Everything that got cut off today.
Feb 19, 2026 | 03:11 PM
#44
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Frame grinded outside and inside frame rail tonight. Cleaned up motor mounts for those to get covered up as well. Sas kit comes with 5"x2" plate to patch those up after the brackets are cut off. Have a couple small knicks to fill in from the torch. Take care of those while the shock hoops get welded in.
Last edited by 8784 runner; Feb 19, 2026 at 03:16 PM.
Feb 19, 2026 | 03:14 PM
#45
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Front spring hanger. Once this goes on the top of it will be covered and won't be able to get paint on it. Quick wipe down with acetone and quick coat of paint to have it ready to go on next.
Feb 20, 2026 | 06:02 PM
#46
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Front hanger tacked up. Trail gears instructions say's to mount the hanger 3/4" forward of the frame for the 4&5" springs. For 3" springs which is what im putting on theu say to mount the hanger flush with front of the frame. So in my pile of random steel pieces i grabbed these two plates. Instead of fingering it and checking everytime i tapped it for center. Bolt these two plates up. Slammed it against them and eye balled center. Put C clamp on then couple taps to one side or the other for cent
Feb 21, 2026 | 03:23 PM
#47
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Frame tube jig. Centered between the body mount. Used the body mount to get them close then squared them off the front leaf spring hanger to confirm. Debated using a hole saw but went with a torch for 3 of the 4 holes. Torched the outside frame rail first on passenger and drive side. The inside rail would prevent the torch from catching something on fire while i was on the other side of the frame.
Hole saw with a right angle drill was used for the inside frame rail on passenger side. All the holes were done with the jigs tacked in place. I used 1.75" hole saw just cause it was the closest one i had size wise. Im not home to measure at moment, i believe 1.875" is the correct one. All 4 holes i went over with right angle die grinder to clean up the torch slag and just fine tune them to match the jigs.
Once the holes were done i took shop vac to get as much as i could of any loose metal/shavings out of the frame. If left they will only jist sit and rust inside the frame.
This part would of been much quicker with 2nd pair of hands. I spent probly 90mins setting the tubes and making sure they were square and center with the frame and front hanger as best i could. Going from side to side making sure i would be able to get both to match each other once tacked. I double checked them after each tack untill i had two tacks on both sides of the frame tube. End result, they are within a 1/32nd of an inch with each other. Took time but can say they are almost perfect.
Tubes getting welded. Tubes are pretty thick, makes it much eaisier to weld it into the frame. Two passes on both sides of each.
Feb 21, 2026 | 03:28 PM
#48
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Motor mount patches went on as well for both sides. Kit comes with two 5x2 pieces of plate to patch these up.
Don't just start welding/torching stuff. Make sure you protect anything that could get burnt. Last thing you want is a fire or burn a wire up.
Feb 22, 2026 | 09:10 AM
#49
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Time for leaf spring prep while the paint on frame tubes cures.
Bushings are labled, dont mix them up.
Grease on bushing and inside leaf spring.
They are a really tight fit. Get them started by hand. Could use a rubber mallet with the leaf spring against the ground. I preferred something a little more graceful and worked them in with some vice grips. C clamp would probly work as well.
Last edited by 8784 runner; Feb 22, 2026 at 09:42 AM.
Feb 22, 2026 | 09:17 AM
#50
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Trail gear says to weld the bump stops to plate. I decided to bolt them instead. Thought it would give a better look at the end.
Laid out both plates and drilled a 17/64 hole for the M8 tap ill be using
Plate drilled and tapped. 17/64 hole, M8x1.25 tap. Stainless bolts, lock washer and washer. The bolts were 1/2" long and would just barely stick past the bottom of the plate. Grinded each one down flush. Took bumpstops off, spray with brake clean, wipe down acetone and currently waiting for paint to dry. Once frame tubes and plate dry, leaf springs can go in.
Last edited by 8784 runner; Mar 6, 2026 at 05:32 AM.
Feb 23, 2026 | 04:07 PM
#51
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Bushings going in. Grease inside tube and on bushing. As before used the large vise grips to push them in.
This photo feels like a misrepresentation with the time involved to get the bushings,shackles,leaf springs,axle all bolted together. Had the axle on a small cart, fortunately the truck was already high enough to roll it under the springs. Getting the axle high enough to catch the ubolts, and get the leaf spring pins lined up definitely takes a little bit.
But finally axle is under the truck for now.
Set of old factory steelies from outback with stock size tire. Did end up having to bring truck a little high to roll these on to it. Front hanger is still just tacked till shackle angle/placement is good.
Shackle angle with truck sitting on its own weight. Called trail gear to verify shackle angle. They said with new springs not broken in yet 90° or around is good.
Last edited by 8784 runner; Feb 23, 2026 at 04:16 PM.
Feb 23, 2026 | 04:16 PM
#52
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Shock hoops tacked up. Paper says to install with 40% of shock length exposed. I used rebar tie wire to set my length before i set it in position. However with the length set to what they recommend the shock hoop would not land completely on the frame. I pulled it back out and extended 1/2". This allowed both ends of the hoop to be fully seated against frame. The extra 1/2" will be counterd at ride height once the springs settle and still yeild me close to 40% exposed.
This is how the shock wants to sit using the factory bottom shock mounts on the front axle. Trail gear said to keep the shock bushings happy, not to push them too far one way or the other. But too keep the shock within the 12:00-1:00 ramge in terms of angle and It'll be good.
Shock hoops and gussets tacked in.
Mar 4, 2026 | 04:14 PM
#53
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Kit came with these gussets to help tie in the outside of the front spring hanger. I didn't really like the fitment too much. I could of cut it and grinded it but i was convinced i still would of liked it. Plus removing a bunch of metal from the piece defeats the purpose of it.
So instead i put it in the vise. Red hot with the torch and then set it in place. With the wide vise grips i then somewhat contoured into the body mount. This took about three times of heating it and crimping it. But i think it came out a little bit better.
Mar 4, 2026 | 04:18 PM
#54
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The steering stabilizer they didn't have any real methos to fit this. Would be much eaisier if you have an extra set of hands for this i put the stabilizer together on both sides. Then somewhat dead eyed the angle and square aspect with the steering that it gets bolted too. While hodling it i scribed a quick line into the frame. Took assembly apart then tacked in place.
Mar 4, 2026 | 04:26 PM
#55
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These do not come with the kit but they are very much necessary. Temporarily put the hard brake lines back in. Screw them to the new extended brake hoses. Make sure every one is happy and mark an outline of where i want it. Take brake lines apart and tack in place.
Mar 4, 2026 | 04:28 PM
#56
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To weld everything out i pulled the axle back out of the truck. Front hanger four beads on the front and four on the back side, the sides as well of course.
Last edited by 8784 runner; Mar 4, 2026 at 04:30 PM.
Mar 7, 2026 | 04:26 AM
#60
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Frame painted, Time for axle to go back under. Do a temporary hoopup of steering so i can turn truck around and get the chevy kit started.
Last edited by 8784 runner; Mar 7, 2026 at 04:31 AM.
