ok guys, i have an update..
the back has been feeling decent the past week, so today i decided to get the front back together.
first i took 2 more leafs, the shortest, out of the leaf pack. i already had one removed when i put Sid's 3 inch axle in 2 years ago. so now i have 3 leafs of the original 6 pulled out.
got new leaf eye bushings and shackles and threaded pins, and ran into another problem with them. the slightly tapered holes on the shackles were not deep enough and would not let them tighten down enough onto the tapered threaded pins and crush the rubber grease seals, so i had to spend about 30-45 minutes with my dremmel tool getting them opened up. easy enough.
then i get it all back together, drop the truck on the ground, and notice the tie rod was now rubbing the oil pan in the front area of the sump. not good.
took the tie rod off and 'massaged" that area with a hammer and a piece or round pipe. got enough clearance to where it dont hit while setting there, but when i bounce up and down on the bumper i can get it to hit.
im afraid to massage the oil pan anymore, so i gave Sid a call and confirmed that all i need to do is take the steering arm off, take them to work tomorrow, and heat the area where the tie rod end is, and bend them down an inch or so. that will give me enough clearance, hopefully.
here is what the tie rod and pan look like now.
http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/...0/?action=view¤t=DSC033333.jpgdo any of you guys know where my oil pump pickup screen sets in this oil pan ? its a 350 out of a 1980 1/2 ton truck. hope its more toward the rear of the pan, and i didnt mess anything up by hammering on the front area shown...
the leafs, with 3 now in the pack, actually arc reverse of what they did with the 5 in. do you guys think this will become a problem ?
also, i cut half of my factory bump stop off, and have somewhere around 1.5-2 inches of clearance. sorry i didnt actually measure it or take pics of it. with my gas shocks installed i have to really bounce on the front bumper to get it to move. i know going down the road and hitting bumps in the road will move it somewhat easier, but time will tell how it rides once i get it back on the road.
i didnt take any pics of the truck setting on the ground, since the cover was still on the truck and it started to rain. once them things get wet they weigh a ton.
so, i have the steering arms off now, will hopefully get a chance to heat and bend them tomorrow at work, hopefully have it all back together by tuesday night, and have some pics later int he week, or the weekend by the latest.
thats it for now, but i am really pumped about FINALLY getting around to lowering my truck some more...
leonard
