Rear Spring question
 

I'm converting a '59 swb feetside 2wd into a 4wd. Front end is in, rear is not. Right now the front sits about 6" higher than the rear. My problem is that I'm using the stock springs that are narrower than the typical 4wd springs. Does anyone know where I can get a set of rear springs for my rig? My original springs and bracket holes are 2" wide. I hate to use blocks but if I can't find a spring that will work I may have to go that route. Does anyone have any suggestions. I would appreciate any input.

Thanks in advance, Bryan

Re: Rear Spring question
 

Rryan,Talk to a spring shop about making up a set.Do you have you original springs still?BTW,sounds like a cool project.

Re: Rear Spring question
 

You could make or have made a pair of shackles that would bolt to your 2" mounts open up to the 3" springs and modify the mounts to accept 3" springs. If you did that you could use any spring you wanted. The axle pad is probably set up for 3" springs as it is.

Good luck with your project

Re: Rear Spring question
 

Special -k

Yes, I have the original springs still under the truck. I used the originals in the front and it worked out great. Yes ,the pads are made for a 3" wide spring but it doesn't know the differencee whats sitting on it. I'm not using this as a hard core 4wheel drive just avarage driving through the field to the barn and in the snow if needed. I tried to post a pic of the front but have had trouble inserting pictures. Thanks for the info. but I'm hoping to get an actual shop or company name that I can give a call.

Latr,

B.Sharp

Re: Rear Spring question
 

I' m not familer with the older stuff, but if you stayed with the stock springs up front it sounds like you went from a spring under setup to a spring over setup. Meaning your stock 2wd solid axle had the spring running under it and your new 4wd axle has the same spring sitting on top of the axle now. Thats the only way you could gain lift with the same spring.

The rear may already be a spring over axle setup in which your only option for lift is more arch'd springs or blocks with the stock srpings. If you don't want to run blocks you would have to get springs made to gain the lift.

If the rear springs currently run under the axle, you could go with converting it to a spring over setup by welding new spring perches to the top side of the axle. You will gain lift equal to the difference in the spring mounting points from under to over. Might not be 6" but it depends on how tall your new spring perch is.

Re: Rear Spring question
 

When going from 2wd to 4wd up front,it`s like going from a dropped axle to a straight axle.That`ll net some lift right there,too.
I can`t give an actual name.There is no "kit" for what you need.You need your local yellow pages for a spring shop.They can do anything.Try going to the Napco site and ask.Don`t know the addy,just Google.Maybe www.napco4x4.org

Re: Rear Spring question
 

Special-k,

That is exactly what happened. My striaght axle was a top mount but the straight axle had about a four inch drop from spindle to spring perch. The four wheel drive springs set in the exact same location but several inches higher. I know the difference in tire size and axle tub sizing aren't enough to get the lift I need. I wanted to have springs made for the rear. I just need a place to contact. I'm not sure there is anyone around my area that can do this. Chat with you guys later, I would post pictures if it would let me. I have no :url
I need to copy them from my computer and it doesn't want to give me that option.
B.Sharp

Re: Rear Spring question
 

Try www.photobucket.com .It think this site tells you how to use it to post here in the Q&A section.That`s how I learned.What part of KY are you in?