I remember reading stuff about having to use a torch, sometimes cutting, etc.

I'll be adding a leaf to each pack in my 78 pickup. It won't fit in my garage, and my street isn't flat. A friend offered the bay at his office, but I'd need to garuantee that it would be in & out in one day.

So I want to be prepared...

I have tools, I have a little propane torch. I'm sure if it was a newer vehicle, I'd just take things out, and put them back in. But since it's so old, what are the things I'll run into that would cause me trouble? What should I expect that would hold me up, so I can be ready for it?

Thanks!

 

torch? you just unbolt the shocks, remove ubolts, brake lines if needed, remove centerpin and drop the axle down a few inches. when i did it on my cousins 86 we stacked two 32in tires and dropped the truck onto them on its own spare.

 

Look out for the bolts to be stuck in the bushings, an extra smaller bolt or punch is good for driving them out.
also 3 sets of Jack stands come in handy. 1 set for the axle and a couple of sets on the frame of the truck.
while you are under there be sure to inspect your frame. I have seen some funky and FUBAR frame extensions done on Toy motorhomes that have been parted. Did not inspire much confidence in the frame integrity.

If the springs are military wrapped you could probably bend them out of the way prior to getting to your
buddy's shop.

 

Thanks!

I think the torch would be for the bolts stuck in the bushings. But if it's not necessary, that's great.

 

As one who has done quite of few of these I really don`t use the torch anymore Pretty much all it did was burn rubber.

If your just adding a leaf to the spring pack.

New U-Bolts I always cut mine off with a zip disc.with the axle on a floor jack and the frame on jack stands high enough so you have room to work


This way you don`t have to mess with the bolts in the hangers or shackles unless you plan on all new hardware and bushings another few hours of work

Remove the center bolt again make sure you have new ones or else your going to forsure break one. or find out the old ones are two short

Getting the bolt out of the spring hangers is all but impossible as the bushing corrodes to the bolt I have tried all different approaches the easiest for me is to use the zip disc cut the bolt front and back pry the spring hanger apart and pry the spring out.

At the point your bushing is in need of being replaced or your putting in a new spring.

I always start all these jobs with all new hardware I learned that the hardway!!

Your first time I would figure a good day.

 

Ok. Thank you.

I have new bushings I bought for my 83 a long time ago when I thought I'd get in there and replace them all...and never did.

So as long as the 83 bushings fit my 78, I should be good there.

I'll grab some new U-bolts.

 

I'm also bout to do a whole new emu suspension upgrade on my 82 and as far as the hardware for the hangers and stuff where would be a good place to purchase those bolts or do you think I will have all new bushings and bolts with the new suspension, my suspension is shot from Hell so I'm so ready to get this done and I want to be ready also to finish in a day as I work six days a.week thanks

 

I will be doing something similar but I will be adding drop blocks to lower the rear a few "s. For sure get new u bolts and if you don't have to use the torch don't.

 

I just buy all the suspension hardware from my Toyota Dealer

About the only thing that comes with new springs is the bushing in the hanger end.

 

What do people think about buying this: http://www.autopartsnetwork.com/shop...year_1978.html

So that I can just cut the old ones off and not hassle with getting the bushing out and trying not to destroy things?

 

Nevermind. After looking around a bit more, even that one says it's a "shackle", and shows shackles in the photo, it seems pretty clear that it's just bushings.

I ordered new shackles with bolts and bushings from RockAuto.

 

when i put a lift on my 1980 i was in the same boat needed to finish the thing in a day cause i had to drive it to work the next day... i showed up with a lift on the back and stock in the front... only real trouble i had was lining up the new springs with the axle and the frame probably only because they were bigger than stock. there is a little nipple where the springs seat on the axle and a hole that it fits in. if you are gonna get new hardware check out greaseable shackles http://www.trail-gear.com/shackles

didnt notice you already ordered them

 

Thanks! Yeah, hopefully since I'm just adding a leaf, the only "issues" I'll run into are getting the old, rusted, rotted hardware off.

 

When I put my lift on my 83 I had to cut off 3 out of 4 of the pins that hold front of the leaf springs. Autozone had new ones with bushing for $17 each I think. Well worth the money IMO. I don't know if your 78 has the same setup or not but here is a link for them:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...135775_0_1685_

 

Thanks! I just ended up ordering this a couple days ago:

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...802&cc=1277108

 

That's what I put on the rear of truck to replace my old shackles.

 

Here is a write-up I did that has a few tips and pointers if you are replacing springs. Also if you are doing the TR60S skyjackers it should be very helpful!https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f120.../#post52088393