Spring suggestions

[Scott Klassen]

Planning an axle flip for my Fargo, and before removing the bed, I thought I would use the original springs and make a cutout in the frame. After removing the bed, I see the bushings in the rear spring eyes are worn badly and there isn't a lot of room between the top of the spring and the underside of the frame. I have already procured an 8 3/4 out of a 69 Sport Fury, but am wondering what springs would be easy to get and second of all easy to source rubber bushings for and third, easy to mount on the frame. Anyone that has done this before? Pictures would be great too. Thanks.

[Scott Klassen]

Nothing yet? Oh well, from what I have read Dodge Minivan springs are a pretty easy install. I think I may go with them depending on what the local wrecking yard wants for them.

[bach4660]

Minivan springs are coils aren't they?

[Scott Klassen]

Rears are leaves and the hangers bolt directly to the floor of the van. Easy to remove and place again in another spot.

[Scott Klassen]

Project continues. Slowly getting the Volare into the frame. Lots of cracks in frame, mostly around the front crossmember. Definitely used hard and put away wet! Core support mount extremely loose as well, and there are lines on the front frame rails from where the drooped support was riding. Between looking after a 10 week old baby and appeasing a wife on maternity leave, I am finding a few minutes here and there to get things attached.

[woodscavenger]

Looks great! Keep us updated on the progress. Where are you headed in terms of body height, engine, tranny, etc?

So is the chain on the front so people don't walk off with your hotrod?

[bach4660]

Looking good, after seeing your photos I am going to guess you are in Canada?

[Scott Klassen]

Thanks for the kudos. Hoping definitely to lower the truck, not to the ground but lower. I have already picked up a rear end out of a 69 Sport Fury and some leaf springs from a Grand Caravan to mock up the rear. Happened to get a hold of a 1987 Fifth Avenue this weekend with a good running little 318 and new tires all around. Going to swap all the front end pieces, engine, transmission and other required pieces out of the car and into the truck.

[jonblack021]

I am wondering how the Grand Caravan springs worked out. I have a B2B with a 8-3/4" that I need to find suitable springs for.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I suggest a read on the single flat spring.....there are issues and concerns on breakage on a rear wheel drive car application.  It is as I recall not a suggested replacement..

[wayfarer]

Somewhere in the depths of this thread...http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/52-dodge-b3b-hemi-project.742584/...the owner installs a later rear axle and springs. IIRC, it is well detailed with excellent results.

[pflaming]

These 1/2 ton pickups, as they were referred back when, were given spring combinations per the buyer's needs. Wood in Michigan, wheat in Nebraska, corn in iowa, and vegetables in California. Each of these different. SO look at the number of leaves you have and if you have overload springs.

 

My truck had seven (7) in the front and five (5) in the back. I eliminated the 2nd from the bottom on each spring so that now I have six and four.  In short, you could do the same but not have the same initial sets of springs.

 

Shocks: I bought the least expensive, shocks don't get any use on paved roads so now need to spend much $$$ there.  

[Jeff Balazs]

  On 10/18/2015 at 11:18 PM, pflaming said:

Shocks: I bought the least expensive, shocks don't get any use on paved roads so now need to spend much $$$ there. 

? Nothing could be further from the truth. Take them off , replace them with some dead ones and find out just how much work they do. It may be true that you don't have to spend a lot of money.......but believe me you need to spend some. Todays gas charged shocks and seal technology is just not all that expensive.

 

Jeff

 

Jeff

[pflaming]

Jeff, I bought good shocks, just not expensive ones. Got to have shocks for stability, Corning, etc.