Talk me into, or out of, it...

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someotherguy

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Leaf packs pulled apart, top and bottom overload leaf (and the top spacer of course) removed. New center bolts installed. I still need to cut them down as per the instructions, but mama's asleep now so it'll have to wait until tomorrow.

I also have the bump stop brackets out, nearby brake hard line brackets loose (still need to unbolt the flex hose bracket), and template ready to mark the drill holes so I can start cutting. Also tomorrow. Before that, I'll need to rearrange the jackstands so I feel more comfortable about how the frame is supported before I go a-choppin'...

Really need to get a hustle on tomorrow and get the notch cut, brackets in place, and springs installed and bed mounted back up so I can set it down on the ground again and get it outside before Friday. Back to work. It's gonna sit outside til next week looking like I'm building a squatted truck. :anitoof:

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Richard
 

Carlaisle

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I've been planning to acquire and install some overloads on my truck. Could I trouble you to measure the thickness of that spacer? I need to order some parts still.

I'm enjoying following along.
 

someotherguy

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I've been planning to acquire and install some overloads on my truck. Could I trouble you to measure the thickness of that spacer? I need to order some parts still.

I'm enjoying following along.
What type of truck? If your spring pack is stock you already have the lower overload leaf. The upper overload leaf is generally a dually thing - I don't *think* a SRW 3500 or a 2500 would come with them but I don't have any to look at, at the moment. The 13/16" spacer goes between the top of the leaf pack and the upper overload. When loaded down heavily it contacts brackets on the frame, otherwise it doesn't come into play. You can see the rear one in this pic (far right edge, got a 4x4 block sitting on it), there's of course an accompanying one at the front end of the overload leaf, too, just not seen in this pic. They've got a thick rubber sleeve on them where the spring contacts:
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Did you leave the clamps on the springs where you had them or do something different?
I did the first one with a third clamp attached right next to the center bolt, which would have required me to release any tension after bolt removal by loosening the clamp, but quickly figured out it wasn't needed. There's practically zero tension on the pack once it's out of the truck. I did the other pack with the clamps positioned as pictured, and loosened the nut, no pressure against it at all. Literally the clamps are just keeping things in line as far as the leafs slipping back and forth in the pack, so that the center bolt hole stays lined up for the new bolt to install.

Richard
 
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HotWheelsBurban

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What type of truck? If your spring pack is stock you already have the lower overload leaf. The upper overload leaf is generally a dually thing - I don't *think* a SRW 3500 or a 2500 would come with them but I don't have any to look at, at the moment. The 13/16" spacer goes between the top of the leaf pack and the upper overload. When loaded down heavily it contacts brackets on the frame, otherwise it doesn't come into play. You can see the rear one in this pic (far right edge, got a 4x4 block sitting on it), there's of course an accompanying one at the front end of the overload leaf, too, just not seen in this pic. They've got a thick rubber sleeve on them where the spring contacts:
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I did the first one with a third clamp attached right next to the center bolt, which would have required me to release any tension after bolt removal by loosening the clamp, but quickly figured out it wasn't needed. There's practically zero tension on the pack once it's out of the truck. I did the other pack with the clamps positioned as pictured, and loosened the nut, no pressure against it at all. Literally the clamps are just keeping things in line as far as the leafs slipping back and forth in the pack, so that the center bolt hole stays lined up for the new bolt to install.

Richard
The upper overload leaf must be a dually thing, because my crew cab doesn't have it(just stepped outside the trailer, to check, truck is next to the patio slab). And I think this truck was optioned to tow.... it's definitely 8600+ gvwr. I've had 1200-1500# in the bed before and it's still not leveled out....
 

someotherguy

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OK.. three steps forward, two and a half backwards? :)

Got both sides of the frame notched and drilled, braces bolted in. The pics don't show the bottom 2 bolts but I did those after dinner. Had to go buy some new drill bits to make this happen; my old ones were shot.
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Dinner break before getting the passenger side done...
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Realized I'm gonna have to pull the brake hose bracket back off and drill the bottom hole out to 1/2"; i screwed up and did the top hole, so the bend in the hard line pokes up above the frame rail. No biggie.

HOWEVER.

Some gripes about Belltech's instructions, AND product. I know, I know; I always suggest Belltech for flip kits over other brands (especially DJM) - nobody's stuff is perfect though and this stuff has had a few disappointments/frustrations.

1. The template for the frame notch is off - it's shifted forward at least 1/4" from the reference points on the frame. Put me behind on my cutting by having to widen that one towards the back and screwed up my "relief" drill hole at the corner. :(

2. For re-assembly, the instructions say to install the leaf spring at the hanger first, then swing the shackle end up and install that bolt. Yeah. This might work if you had the truck on a 2-post lift.. I couldn't jack up the rear end up high enough for the leaf pack to clear the drum. Pull the hanger bolt, then fight with the shackle flopping around to mount that first then battle the spring into the hanger.

3. Instructions say when you cut the excess center bolt on the spring, to leave "about 1/2" - nah. Leave MORE. Maybe 3/4" would be good. Because 1/2" is NOT enough to easily engage the saddle when you have the pinion angle shim slid into place. It's a bunch of shoving around hoping it will pop in there and hold. I'm pretty pissed about this one.

4. The u-bolts suck. Two of them are formed just slightly too narrow so they don't slip down easily over the rear end in any of the four possible positions. Two fit just fine. The other ones have to be tapped down and while doing so of course they spread just enough they won't fit through the u-bolt plate...

Which leaves me here. Truck still up in the air, rear end loose, and trying to figure out my next move, which I won't have any time to work on it until next week.
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I'm sure part of it is that I'm just dead tired.. but jeezus. I was feeling pretty good about the whole thing until I realized the center bolts were cut just slightly too short, then the u-bolt hassle put me over the edge. Sat out in the garage in front of the fan for another hour trying to cool off before coming in for a shower.

Richard
 

bluex

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One thing I've learned about notches is to toss out the template an mock it up where you want it. It never fails that the templates are not going to center the notch on a truck with a flip kit. It's like they developed the notch an located it first, then did the suspension mods so it's always slightly off.

I did a belltech notch on an 04 last weekend. It's a beefy piece, I really like the notch but the template had it a little off center but it also has a relief for the bed floor brace that I had it all the way up against. The instructions also said it was for stock unmodified trucks an any aftermarket parts should be removed an replaced with stock before installation. This truck had a shackle/hanger drop an the notch still wasn't centered over the axle. A flip kit would have made it worse...
 

Stumpy

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You were hot, tired, and pissed off. Go back at it when you get 30 minutes, I'll bet things fall into place.
^This. My temper is much better than it was when I was young, I don't throw tools anymore, but you have to stop sometimes, and get a fresh perspective, before you lose your ****, and go the hell off.

Some of the simplest jobs, are the ones that give the most trouble.
 
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