Moving in leaf springs on an Abody Questions?????
#1058636
08/21/11 02:30 PM
08/21/11 02:30 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,207
Menomonee Falls
DemonDust
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Menomonee Falls
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I will be eventually going to Ladder bar setup before the ice drags start but I don't have the extra 2K to stick into it right now. But in 3 weeks we are going to the drag strip and I would like to at least move the leaf springs in and narrow the rear a bit so the tires fit under the car. Maybe even drop the rear down if possible. I would like to fab as much as possible. I have Cass's axles so I can cut them down 2.5" a piece before the splines will bottom out on the spool. My questions are; I'd like to reuse as much of the stock suspension parts as possible since I will be only using this for a short time and don't want to waste too much money. So what will I absolutely have to buy??? Off set shackles? I have SS springs now 002 003, is there any way to drop the rear with these? I do have the old sagged stock springs. I also need measurements/steel thickness on the box that gets welded to the frame rails that the leaf attaches to. If I'm missing anything please feel free to chime in. Like I said this is just a temporary deal so I don't want to buy much, since I can fabricate pretty much everything myself. Thanks guys 
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Re: Moving in leaf springs on an Abody Questions?????
[Re: DemonDust]
#1058637
08/21/11 04:37 PM
08/21/11 04:37 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,776
Ontario Canada
MattW
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Ontario Canada
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Quote:
I will be eventually going to Ladder bar setup before the ice drags start but I don't have the extra 2K to stick into it right now. But in 3 weeks we are going to the drag strip and I would like to at least move the leaf springs in and narrow the rear a bit so the tires fit under the car. Maybe even drop the rear down if possible. I would like to fab as much as possible. I have Cass's axles so I can cut them down 2.5" a piece before the splines will bottom out on the spool.
My questions are;
I'd like to reuse as much of the stock suspension parts as possible since I will be only using this for a short time and don't want to waste too much money. So what will I absolutely have to buy??? Off set shackles?
I have SS springs now 002 003, is there any way to drop the rear with these? I do have the old sagged stock springs.
I also need measurements/steel thickness on the box that gets welded to the frame rails that the leaf attaches to.
If I'm missing anything please feel free to chime in. Like I said this is just a temporary deal so I don't want to buy much, since I can fabricate pretty much everything myself.
Thanks guys
I have an old direct connection leaf spring relocation kit and you would be suprised at the quality. The box is 1/8 steel and if you want I can go outside to get the measurements. The offset shacles where heavy duty but you don't need them just drill the frame and slide the proper size tube and bolt a regular shackle.
This way I believe you would lower the height along with drilling multible holes on the front hanger to lower it some more. Matt
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Re: Moving in leaf springs on an Abody Questions?????
[Re: MattW]
#1058638
08/21/11 06:08 PM
08/21/11 06:08 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,330
Lynchburg, VA
Leon441
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Lynchburg, VA
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I have been forced to make these kits on more than one occasssion. The customer was a tight wad and would not buy the kit. After charging what I needed to in labor they could have bought two kits.
Why do you want to cut the axles down? You can buy wheels to accomodate your rear width.
A ladder bar setup should not be that expensive. If you do the relocation all you have to do is weld a ladder bar crossmember to the spring relocation boxes. Are you looking at going coilovers too?
Leon
Career best 8.02 @ 169 at 3050# and 10" tires small block power.
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Re: Moving in leaf springs on an Abody Questions?????
[Re: Leon441]
#1058639
08/21/11 06:41 PM
08/21/11 06:41 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,207
Menomonee Falls
DemonDust
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Yes I was going to do the Alston Chassisworks ladder with double adjustable coilovers. With the wheels I want it will be around 2k. Wheels are expensive, I can narrow the rear, cut the axles down and have no money invested just my time. I can't see how making two small boxes out of 1/8" steel can cost $400  Please help me understand where the time comes in. I understand cleaning the frame rails and prepping everything for welding. I must be missing something here.
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Re: Moving in leaf springs on an Abody Questions?????
[Re: MattW]
#1058640
08/21/11 06:45 PM
08/21/11 06:45 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,207
Menomonee Falls
DemonDust
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Quote:
I have an old direct connection leaf spring relocation kit and you would be suprised at the quality. The box is 1/8 steel and if you want I can go outside to get the measurements. The offset shacles where heavy duty but you don't need them just drill the frame and slide the proper size tube and bolt a regular shackle.
This way I believe you would lower the height along with drilling multible holes on the front hanger to lower it some more. Matt
If it's not too much to ask, I'd like the measurements if you could 
Also does anyone have pics of ones they have done? Just so I can get an idea of what all needs to be done.
What is the reasoning for the offset hangers?
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Re: Moving in leaf springs on an Abody Questions?????
[Re: DemonDust]
#1058641
08/21/11 06:59 PM
08/21/11 06:59 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
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Master
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Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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Myself I think your wasting your time moving the springs in for a few months and then changing over to a ladder bar... run what you have now for the summer and put the ladder bar in... if you want to go cheap buy the front cross bar... make your own ladder bars and put sliders on it(I think the sliders is the wrong way to go)................ JMO 
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Re: Moving in leaf springs on an Abody Questions?????
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#1058642
08/21/11 07:27 PM
08/21/11 07:27 PM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,210
robin hood country
deaks
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robin hood country
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I made my own boxes from 3/16" because the ones you buy are a little flimsy and the inside diameter is too big, i also put extra holes in.
As said before weld tubes through the chassis rails and fit the rear hangers, i also beefed the rails up on both sides of the tube.
Mr P
I think he only races in the winter.
Mick
69 Dart GTS 440 mopar .590 cam, Edelbrock heads, 3200#
best et 6.45, 106.78, 10.14, 132.88 mph, 1.47 60ft
best 60ft 1.36
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Re: Moving in leaf springs on an Abody Questions?????
[Re: deaks]
#1058643
08/21/11 07:35 PM
08/21/11 07:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,002
Joplin, Mo
rt66jim
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Joplin, Mo
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I drilled out the spot welds and moved the stock frame rails on mine. Then added a 4" section to the stco wheel tubs. Wasn't real time consuming. I have 12 x 29.5 GY's under it now. It's a 69 Dart. Jim
Last edited by rt66jim; 08/21/11 07:36 PM.
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Re: Moving in leaf springs on an Abody Questions?????
[Re: deaks]
#1058645
08/21/11 08:30 PM
08/21/11 08:30 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
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Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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Quote:
I made my own boxes from 3/16" because the ones you buy are a little flimsy and the inside diameter is too big, i also put extra holes in.
As said before weld tubes through the chassis rails and fit the rear hangers, i also beefed the rails up on both sides of the tube.
Mr P
I think he only races in the winter.
Mick
From what I'm getting he has something coming up on
a NORMAL track but yes I know he ice races... What
I get he is gonna to this twice... move the springs
then go ladder bar
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Re: Moving in leaf springs on an Abody Questions?????
[Re: DemonDust]
#1058647
08/21/11 08:32 PM
08/21/11 08:32 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,776
Ontario Canada
MattW
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master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,776
Ontario Canada
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Quote:
Quote:
I have an old direct connection leaf spring relocation kit and you would be suprised at the quality. The box is 1/8 steel and if you want I can go outside to get the measurements. The offset shacles where heavy duty but you don't need them just drill the frame and slide the proper size tube and bolt a regular shackle.
This way I believe you would lower the height along with drilling multible holes on the front hanger to lower it some more. Matt
If it's not too much to ask, I'd like the measurements if you could
Also does anyone have pics of ones they have done? Just so I can get an idea of what all needs to be done.
What is the reasoning for the offset hangers?
Go to this web page www.scottysplace.net
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Re: Moving in leaf springs on an Abody Questions?????
[Re: rowin4]
#1058650
08/21/11 09:47 PM
08/21/11 09:47 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,207
Menomonee Falls
DemonDust
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Menomonee Falls
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Yes, I will be taking the duster down the 1/8 mile asphalt strip at WIR. Half the reason I want to do something with the rear end is because the current housing is twisted  I am going to use a 67 truck housing for now, narrow it and backbrace it. I am working on a triangulated and back braced 8 3/4 for the ladder setup. I have it all drawn up in solidworks already just need to put it to the jig Steve, sent you a PM
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Re: Moving in leaf springs on an Abody Questions?????
[Re: viperblue72]
#1058652
08/22/11 05:39 AM
08/22/11 05:39 AM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,210
robin hood country
deaks
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master
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robin hood country
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My mistake. Mick
69 Dart GTS 440 mopar .590 cam, Edelbrock heads, 3200#
best et 6.45, 106.78, 10.14, 132.88 mph, 1.47 60ft
best 60ft 1.36
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Re: Moving in leaf springs on an Abody Questions?????
[Re: DemonDust]
#1058653
08/22/11 08:57 AM
08/22/11 08:57 AM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,776
Ontario Canada
MattW
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master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,776
Ontario Canada
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Quote:
Yes, I will be taking the duster down the 1/8 mile asphalt strip at WIR.
Half the reason I want to do something with the rear end is because the current housing is twisted
I am going to use a 67 truck housing for now, narrow it and backbrace it. I am working on a triangulated and back braced 8 3/4 for the ladder setup. I have it all drawn up in solidworks already just need to put it to the jig
Steve, sent you a PM
Just my opinion wouldn't be better to sell your 8 3/4 and build a dana 
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