Moving leaf springs inboard

sewlow · Mar 8, 2022

The rear end under '94-'96 Impala SS's & 9C1's are just under 3" narrower than a stock 2 wheel drive 400's. Same 5x5 bolt pattern. Many came with Eaton 'posi' carriers. Stupid tall gear ratios though. 3.08, 2.7x, etc.
Need to cut off the upper 4-link ears & the coil perches.

ZONES89RS · Mar 8, 2022

sewlow said:
There's several Co.'s that make spring relocation kits for Mopars.
It may be possible to adapt & modify to work under a 400.
From 3/4" inboard, which is usually just a set of offset hangars & shackles. Most owners just stretch the centering hole on the perch. The perch pads on those vehicles are wide enough to handle that.
A 3" kit moves the springs inboard of the frame rails. Requires new spring perches.

This is under an E-Body. They make 'em for A-Bodies, too.

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I have found a lot of that when searching for info.

I am going to use the existing mounts just going from outside to inside and I’ll modify as needed. I kinda just do what I want since I have plasma, mig and all that fun stuff.

I’m impressed this hasn’t been covered in depth in the past

ZONES89RS · Mar 8, 2022

sewlow said:
The rear end under '94-'96 Impala SS's & 9C1's are just under 3" narrower than a stock 2 wheel drive 400's. Same 5x5 bolt pattern. Many came with Eaton 'posi' carriers. Stupid tall gear ratios though. 3.08, 2.7x, etc.
Need to cut off the upper 4-link ears & the coil perches.

Hell, all I need is a stock one as long as it’s 5 on 5. I’ll be happy to not need to shorten this myself. I have built some 8.8s and have one spare but would have to get new axles

ZONES89RS · Mar 8, 2022

Update on ideas for the truck:

I happen to have a spare 8.8 laying around from a explorer. I’ll probably swap the axles from right to left to center the carrier(it is offset for those that haven’t dabbled in modding explorer rears) and it will bring the width from stock, 65 inches wide to a hair under 60 inches. That will make wheel selection a breeze and probably let me use the 10” wide jegs wheels I already have since they have a trash offset that would make them stock out as is. Currently have 8” wide that fit the truck as pictured

Drunkcanuk · Mar 8, 2022

VFJimbo said:
Sounds like he's trying to make a Boyd "Phantom" truck.

Not to derail his thread, but are you talking about the "phantom dualies" from back in the day??? Lund 4"-6" fenders, 15" wide wheel with Mickey Thompson's??? Those were awesome!!!! I will have one one day, then explain to anyone under 40 what the hell I did and why! Lol

Donald Mitchell · Mar 9, 2022

I found this on ebay If you don't mind a lot of work. https://www.gmt400.com/threads/s10-chassis-under-c2500.55688/

Matt Ayalla · Mar 14, 2022

Keep in mind that the leaf springs aren’t parallel. Wider in the front than in the back. I made the mistake a few years ago of ordering a 15x12 wheel and Micky Thompson 325/50-R15 drag radials. Measured backspacing from the rear part of the leaf spring. BIG MISTAKE!!! Anyway, mounted the tires on the wheels and went to put them on the truck. Oops! I’d already sold the wheels off my truck, so I had to figure out how to make these meats fit. Embarrassed to say, but I mooned out the leaf spring a bit with my grinder, added wheel spacers, and rolled the lip on the wheel well. Worked, but I never liked it. I eventually back halved it with a 4-bar setup. All is well now. I guess if you’re going to go through the hassle of trying to relocate your leaf springs, you’d probably be better off just running a 4-link or ladder bar setup. Then you’d have more than enough room. Here’s my truck with 15x12’s and 325’s

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1989GMCSIERRA · Mar 14, 2022

Your gas tank will be in the way. So that will have to be moved. along with the filler neck or you’ll have to redo fuel lines if going to a cell. Along with exhaust system piping. Shocks and hangers too. Most likely brake lines. Etc
That’s a lot of expense and custom work for a wider tire that has no benefit other than looks

sewlow · Mar 15, 2022

Matt Ayalla said:
15x12’s and 325’s

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A member since '18 & only 7 posts!
Why have you been hiding this truck from us?
It's drop-dead gorgeous! Very nice!

ZONES89RS · Mar 18, 2022

Matt Ayalla said:
Keep in mind that the leaf springs aren’t parallel. Wider in the front than in the back. I made the mistake a few years ago of ordering a 15x12 wheel and Micky Thompson 325/50-R15 drag radials. Measured backspacing from the rear part of the leaf spring. BIG MISTAKE!!! Anyway, mounted the tires on the wheels and went to put them on the truck. Oops! I’d already sold the wheels off my truck, so I had to figure out how to make these meats fit. Embarrassed to say, but I mooned out the leaf spring a bit with my grinder, added wheel spacers, and rolled the lip on the wheel well. Worked, but I never liked it. I eventually back halved it with a 4-bar setup. All is well now. I guess if you’re going to go through the hassle of trying to relocate your leaf springs, you’d probably be better off just running a 4-link or ladder bar setup. Then you’d have more than enough room. Here’s my truck with 15x12’s and 325’s
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Using the existing springs is cheaper and faster to make happen than a 4 link or other pricey modification. Will be just as much room as a 4 link or whatever else

1989GMCSIERRA said:
Your gas tank will be in the way. So that will have to be moved. along with the filler neck or you’ll have to redo fuel lines if going to a cell. Along with exhaust system piping. Shocks and hangers too. Most likely brake lines. Etc
That’s a lot of expense and custom work for a wider tire that has no benefit other than looks

Are you denying that a wider tire is more traction?

I’m in it for looks first but traction is a plus.

And it’s going to be pretty cheap. Not a lot of work. But our definition it cheap and lot of work clearly don’t align

Moving leaf springs inboard

sewlow

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ZONES89RS

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Drunkcanuk

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Donald Mitchell

1990 C1500 5.7L

Matt Ayalla

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1989GMCSIERRA

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sewlow

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