hello Fellow yotaers,

long time reader first time poster.
i traded my old 82 yamaha xv750 bobber for this old rust bucket to get into car mechanics. (Regretting the idea now)
question regarding rear axle set up. Typically i see leaf springs over the axle but my truck has them under. Is this normal? Doesnt that put all the pressure onto u bolts? Also when i add lift spacer the axle just sits higher closer to truck bed.
anyone know a way around this? Is my rear axle reversed/inverted somehow?
this will be a long thread as i know very little of truck mechanics but def excited to learn. Well versed in motorcycle mechanics so i shouldnt be too useless
any help is appreciated

Current rear axle set up

 

spring under axle is pretty standard.

 

2wds have the spring under axle setup. Installing spacer blocks will actually lower the rear suspension. If you want to lift it, you can do it 3 ways.
1. Bolt on lift shackles
2. Install helper/lift springs
3. Install new spring perches on the axle to convert to spring over axle like 4x4s
The first 2 are the easier ones and dont require any fabrication or welding equipment.
There is a 2wd section with more info about lifting. Some of the links are dead because the companys are out of business though.

 

Ok definitely helps to know its standard.
ill probably fabricate some brackets to weld on. Is it smart to weld directly onto axle or wrap around axle and weld onto the pre existing bracket to avoid overheating/burning oil/seals within?

 

You can buy pre made spring pads from various fab shops to make life easier. I think I paid like $40 for the ones I bought. No issue welding on the axle tube. It's far enough away from the seals that it wont mess with them. The hard part is getting the pinion angle correct so you dont have driveshaft vibrations or u-joint wear.
You might have to come up with a way for the lower shocks to mount because they go to the ubolt plate now.