Spring Perch Sizes

[Dodgefran]

I am changing my old rear end for a 3.55.  After taking measurements, I found that the perches on my donor are 2 1/2 inches wide.  The originals are 1 3/4 inch wide.  I'm using the original leaf springs. I  am going to keep the original in storage in case someone wants it when I decide to sell in the future.  Where can I get some 1 1/2 inch wide perches?  Will I have to fabricate these?  Thanks.
 

[randroid]

Dodgefran,

 

Perches around here don't get to be 1 1/2" wide until much later in the year.

 

(Sorry, I don't have a clue where to get spring perches; I just wanted to beat Don Coatney to the punch on that.)

 

-Randy

[Niel Hoback]

   Spring perches have to 6-7" long for they're worth keeping. Too many bones anyway.

[Merle Coggins]

Look for trailer axle spring pads. They are often narrower than the modern car spring pads.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Summit Racing I believe has them in their catalog also

[Robert Horne]

When I installed a Ranger rearend in my 38 Coupe, I bought new 1.5 spring perches

 

from a utility trailer sales/parts place.    They fit perfect....   

 

They have ones that fit different size housings....

[Don Coatney]

Here is what I did. Welded on a plate with the correct sized centering hole and did some blacksmithing on the U-bolts. I did this several years and several thousand miles ago. No problems to date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Plymouthy Adams]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/orv-1826701/overview/

 

there are other ways to adapt modern to old...capture brackets is one method..

Edited May 8, 2013 by Plymouthy Adams

[Dodgefran]

I've got this big red "smack" mark on my forehead.  It got there doing the "Why didn't I think of that" routine".  I'll try the local Tractor Supply and trailer dealer, and let you all know what I find.  Don,  those pictures of yours not only show how it can be done, but they also give a "beginner" like me a lot more confidence in trying things that I normally might not attempt.  Thanks to you all.  It's greatly appreciated.  Fran Aldrich - Cape Cod area.

[Don Coatney]

Thanks for the kind words.

[Plymouthy Adams]

well, Don stuck with it and bent those u-bolts..a feat unto itself and for that I give him credit..I took the easy way out myself.  I had transferred the 1 3/4 mounts from the original axle to a 8 3/4 axle only to find out that due to the manual tranny of the donor..I must have the donor rear gear (electronics story..different than automatic) anyway..I made capture mounts that I then welded to the lower brackets and positioned the spring in a channel that in no way could they slip or move about....this, with the exception I did not use iso rubber is similar to what Ma Mopar done in the 70's themselves...

 

4 pieces, two per leaf spring,  aligned, clamped, welded then drilled to match the larger base plate

Edited May 8, 2013 by Plymouthy Adams

[Don Coatney]

What is great about working on these old jalopies is there are many ways to skin the cat and the end result is all that matters. Good job Plymouthy!