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| | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 49 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 49 | I have a 49 1/2 ton short bed. I wanted to lower it and soften the ride I removed some of the springs. It help some what. The shakels where worn so i made some shorter ones to help lower the bed. Bad idea. The truck rides worse and the springs don't spring back like they did. Now I am trying to decide to go with the Mono spring or go to a four link. Any susgestion is appreciated, and any help on where to by either type suspension.
mark | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 | 1/2 tons are easy to lower in the rear. Just get a pair of lowering blocks from one of the vendors and bolt them on. You really don't want to shorten those shackles since they need to swing out as the spring "grows longer" on compression. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,733 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,733 | Radial tires alone make a 1/2 ton ride so well I can't imagine changing the suspension in an attempt to improve it. My53' in standard form rides a lot better than my new 1/2 Chev 4x4 with nothing more than good shocks and radials.
My advice is to put the springs back as they were, get some good tires and quit trying to reinvent the wheel. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 49 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 49 | Maybe I should of went more in detail. I have 3 1/2 lowering blocks on it all ready and I have radial tires. The main problem is the shackles. I am going to order some new ones. It's been about 2 years since I worked on this. Two weddings put me behind.
I think the shackle holder or what every you call it that the shackles goes in and is bolted to the frame was in bad shape. Can you buy them anywhere? I have not found any site that offers them. What I am thinking now is Mono springs. Has anyone used these. Will it lower the truck where it's at now with the 3 1/2 blocks. I am not trying to reivent the wheel just want the lower look and nice ride without spending a lot of money.
Matt | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,733 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,733 | They are called spring hangers and unless they are cracked or broken I don't understand them being "bad. I suppose a spring could have worn through in 50+ years. The shackle bolts are available and are easily replaced and are of course the wearable part. If you do require replacement hangers then those might have to come from a donor vehicle. I haven't seen mono springs either but they may be available from one of the vendors. Do a Google on them and see what turns up.
Last edited by 53moneypit; 01/03/2009 8:19 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 49 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 49 | Thanks Dave
The back spring hangers inside diameter where
all pitted and partially rusted and wore through. I am gone to order new shackles and see how they work. If anyone needs new springs Google St Louis spring company. I talk to them a few years ago and they were all most 1/2 the price what everyone was asking.
Mark | | |
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