Hey All and Happy Memorial Day!

I have been doing some front end work on my 82 Pickup this weekend and want eventually to do a full writeup. Mainly as a read and learn for newbies to this job, as that is what I was before this weekend and I encountered some issues. I want to post them here for any additional tips before I go full write up on this guy!

Note that this is a regular street driver and sees offroad use only occasionally (sad i know ....)

Job summary:
1) Swap busted flat front leaf springs with some OME light duty 5 leaf springs and some new shackles and hanging hardware.
2) Swap busted shocks with Bilstien 4600 series shocks.
3) Swap Tie Rod ends, sway bar bushings and sway bar link bushings/hardware.
4) Swap steering damper with an new OME one.

--I started off with some beefed up hangers that put about 2" of lift on the truck, and the OME springs which put about 2.5" when loaded. Really awesome but I was not ready for all of the additional mods that need to be made with this much lift.
--My front propeller shaft splines were showing and it was about to separate. Steering drag link was at some ungodly angle, and the 4600 series shocks were not even loaded. I was hoping that the OME springs would add about 0.5" + 2" with the hangers when loaded but i was way off!
--Should have read wayyyy more before I attacked this job. Oh well I learned from my mistakes and have been properly chastized by myself, my bank account, and my friends.


Before the OME install with stock (new) rear springs and old flat front springs



Before the OME install with stock (new) rear springs and old flat front springs



Front end with old flat springs on the front. Prior to OME install



Old flat spring and new OME spring



Unhappy front propeller shaft and U joint angle.



Drag link angle very agressive, about 5 inches from a 90 deg angle



4600 Shocks not even close to long enough.


Where I am at now...

--I got rid of the huge hangers and have some stock length hangers. Those will be up for sale at some point...
--I TRIED to pull one overload spring from the OME package to get less lift. BAD idea as the package started to "W" when loaded. I am back to the full 5 spring package.
--Truck is currently sitting with about 2.5" - 3" of lift in the front with nearly 0 rake.
--Drag link angle is better but not perfect, I think I can get away with it but may need a drop drag. I dont wheel enough to convert to crossover steering IMO
--Front drive splines are no longer showing and I think I can get away with not buying a longer one...
--The 4600 series shocks compress about 1/4 inch when loaded, and I DO NOT think I can get away with this. I am afraid the pistons will bottom out and damage the shocks... likely upgrading to some 5600 series shocks


Leveled front end after OME springs installed



Drag link after OME springs installed, less 2" hangers



Bilstien 4600 Series shocks after OME springs installed. Rod on the left is full extension (19.5 inches). The spring under load only compressed the piston about 1/4 inch


I havent gotten to install the steering damper or tie rod ends etc... will update when I finish with the job.

As I said earlier any comments and advice appreciated! Let me know, thanks for the read.

-Andy

 

Well buddy I'm waiting for mine to be shipped I have been waiting for a month but I'm using all the oem shackels and u bolts I'm going to tear it all apart sand blast and powder coat everything but I have read if you use the stock equipment it works ok so I'll let you know how mine goes if I can ever get them

 

You waiting on your OME springs? I had to wait quite awhile for mine also. Apparently they were back ordered and waiting on a shipment from AUS...

What kind of shocks you planning on putting on? I'm torn between going with some Bilstien 5100's or the OME light valved shocks. Since my new Bilstien 4600's are pretty much useless...

 

I'm running the complete ome shocks leafs and damper bushings

 

Question for you. So was the severe driveline angle created from using the long shackles?

 

It was a combination of the 2" of lift provided by the new springs and the 2" lift provided by the shackles.

Going back to stock shackles left only the spring lift and it seems like the shaft angle and stock shaft length is going to work out.

I havent driven it yet though so I will let you know how it goes...

 

Did not use long shackles but yeah that is what caused it

 

Hey Fireitup, thanks for writing this up. My '83's springs and shocks are still original and I've been reading everything I can find on the OME option.

Did you have to change your brake lines or do the stock lines look to be long enough?

 

Thank you for the write up. I'm very curious to see which route you go.

I'm going to pull the trigger on a new suspension setup this summer and was thinking about going OME light all the way around. My current truck rides like a brick, hoping to improve ride quality considerably.

Very interested to hear your opinions, thank you for the post!

 

You can use the front drive shaft off of a IFS rig, from the junk yard or other place. Its longer, you will need to drill a few extra holes to match the bolt pattern or use this
http://www.marlincrawler.com/axle/dr...-spline-flange

 

Yes it's a very good idea to change brake lines

 

I agree with catfish that it is a good idea to change them. Mine still have some slack but i'm not 100% confident that they will be long enough when the suspension bottoms out.

My rubber lines have taken a beating during this job so I am going to change them out regardless. Just in case I will be getting some longer than stock stainless braided lines.

 

Thanks for the reply catfish/fireitup, it sure helps to have as much info as possible before tearing into a job like this so I look forward to any updates.

 

Hey Catfish, if I understand correctly, you'll be reusing your stock shackles. I'm curious about the shackle angle once your rear springs are installed.

 

I found this write up which is very helpful for anyone doing this job with OME springs.

http://www.off-road.com/trucks-4x4/r...kit-23075.html

 

I completed this job over the weekend. Ended up going with the OME Nitrocharger Sport shocks, OEM stock height shackles from Low Range Offroad and longer stainless brake lines from 4wheelparts.com (part number EXP7210).

Truck looks great and sits almost level. There is a little positive rake to it, and I think i am going to try and bring the rear up an inch or two. Not right now though...

The OME nitro sport shocks have pretty stiff valving, but it doesn't bother me. I put about 150 mi on it so far and I am happy. Way better than blown shocks and a rusted flat leaf package!

I'll post some pics when I get a chance.

 

Howdy Fire,
- So I'm trying to spread the word about this as much as possible, to save as many as possible from experiencing the same confusing and concerning situation I found myself in.

- Be Sure to check Your PINION ANGLE(s) while or after doing the lift. I was fighting a mysterious vibration that plexed the crap outs me, and when I finally started addressing the pinion angles, the noise and vibration lessened by leaps and bounds. I still need to perfect mine, but if i can save others from the stress and hassle, then good.

- Here is my thread, in case any of it seems failure to you (or anyone reading his).
--> https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f114...y-gear-281368/

And here is a writeup/website that helped me identify and address the problem.
--> http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...l#Measurements

This was something that really caught me off guard after changing my springs, shocks, and doing my lift. Wish I'd known about it while the truck was still in parts instead of chasing a crazy vibration that cost me $150 in "hope this fixes it" repairs.

Bat.

 

Thanks for the info Bat! Lifting the front I definitely noticed an increase in the 4WD propeller shaft angle in to the diff-pinion. It is not steep enough to bind the u-joints, but it is not straight for sure.

I notice a vibration around 55mph now after completing this job. Could def be related to the 4WD propeller shaft angle.

-73- KG5AXE