Well ive wanted to do this since I was 16, and yesterday it was like 50 degrees!! So I decided to start.

Heres some before pics, some guys here wanted pics of my rig on 35's with 1.5 - 2 in. of lift. this is how it sat yesterday on 35x12.5 bfg AT's (I have some tsl's for off road when im not daily driving this thing 100mi a day)







I may be getting a plasma cutter so I didnt want to start cutting anything. So I started in the rear.

BEFORE


AFTER


The plan is a marlin 4'' front and back, and some 36x13.5r15 Irok radials.

BTW, I now have some 1.5in AP coils SOLD laying around and some downey 26mm t-bars. I also have a v6 3rd with a detroit ez locker and factory 4.88's. I will be selling all of these plus everything else you can think of that ill be removing. ALL SOLD

 

that thing looks good as it sits, keep us posted on the swap.

 

Ive got a question for all you guys who have done coil to leaf conversions.

What do you do about the proportioning valve that has the long load sensor on it. id like to do away with the entire system and run normal brakes.

The other question is the cross member has the large triangle that hangs down for the panhard bar. If I just cut it off it will weaken the cross member.

Heres a pic to help ya see what im saying..



For some reason i cant get that pic to normal size so when I dont need it anymore ill delete it (I hate wide threads)

 

You have a load sensing proportioning valve...you need to install a "manual proportioning valve" in line w/ the rear brake line...you can get them from Summit Racing cheap.

 

Hey Brian...do you think he was inspired by your "maniacal rant"? (Just kiddin'...)

 

I really like how it sits w/ the IFS - nice and low. Looks good!

You can keep the LSPV if you'd like and fab up a bracket to make it work w/ the leafs.... or do as Brian suggests and replace it w/ a manual... OR just tie it up like most of us have done... works great.

 

By the way, 4rnr, I really dig the "combo bumper slider" deal. That's awesome. Good luck with your conversion!

 

I would like to do away with it all togeather if possible. how did you guys "tie it up"

I like the stance of it also I hope it doesnt get too tall but I need atleast 4" for a high steer.

 

if you don't want it too high, all pro makes a 3'' spring that still works with highsteer. but you don't want to go any lower than that.

btw-I love the way your runner looks in that first pic! It's gonna be really sweet when you get done with it. keep us posted!

 

+1 looks sweet
Have you ever set the trucks weight on them? Do they contact the body?

 

"hhmmm it's a nice day out. I think I'll SAS my truck"

lol

 

Check out Roger's site - he used a turnbuckle to tie it up. Mine is just cut off about 3" from the LSPV w/ nothing holding it in place.

Front Range OffRoad Fabrications crossmember (1" less drop than the others) combined w/ 3" Marlin Springs and you should be set...

 

Ive smashed them pretty hard, Sometimes I fishtail really hard into trees and no problems. Basically the truck will move way before the tubing gets to the body. Oh BTW its 1 1/2'' .120 DOM. It will be part of a full exo someday.

As for the proportioning valve I can just cut the shaft and let it just float there?? thats awesome.

Any one got any info on how to deal with that cross member I refered to in post #2. Thanks

 

*subscribes* i like pretty pictures

 

The valve is the least of your problems (considering the scope of the project), it ain't a big deal. I highly recommend some kind of valve in there, not just straight piping or you'll tend to want to swap ends in a panic stop.

I have mine zip tied up to the frame temporarily. The cheap way is to use the factory one and figure out a way to make it adjustable either by a turn buckle or some other mechanism. You can get the wilwood one and it'll do the same thing, it just costs money.

Geiger has a good article about what he did on off-road.com.

 

cutting it all off is fun, grinding it down smooth. . . thats another story

 

:pat:

 

Im not worried about the scope of this project, it should be a joy compared to the 3.4 swap with an auto I just did.

I didnt get much done today I had to replace the spark plugs in my dads suburban, and help my buddy get his new 8274 wired. Tomarow I am going to pick up the plasma cutter, and wire up 220 in the garage.

Still no suggestions on how to deal with the crossmember

 

i'll call a buddy who did 63" chevy springs in the rear, and see what he did.

 

just chop off the drop part of it. the only purpose to the drop part is to hold the panhard. leaf sprung trucks dont even have that crossmember. you will be fine.