HELP! 4" drop rear leaf springs - which end is which?

[brossow]

Hope someone can answer this ASAP. I'm trying to install a pair of 4" drop leaf springs from ECE on my '72 shortbed. The original springs have the locating pin centered and it didn't really matter which end was which, but on the drop springs it is offset (23.75" from one eye and 27.75" from the other eye). No instructions were included, of course, and their tech support line isn't open until Monday.

Installing them and doing a visual assessment of which looks right isn't possible because all I've got is the rolling chassis. The bed isn't available for figuring out which configuration will center the axle.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated! If I can't get this figured out, my weekend is shot.

Thanks,
Brent

[cdowns]

i'd think that the end with the clodeest measurement to stock would go foreward and the other toward the movable shackle in the rear//that way the axel would remain in the same position

[brossow]

Originally Posted by cdowns

i'd think that the end with the clodeest measurement to stock would go foreward and the other toward the movable shackle in the rear//that way the axel would remain in the same position

Good thought, except the stock pin is centered between the eyes and thus splits the difference in the offsets on the drop spring. Neither is closer to stock, both being 2" off either forward or rearward.

[see ten]

You could drop a plumb bob from the frame down to the centering pin on the stock springs. Mark the frame and then drop the plumb bob down to your drop spring (using your previously made centerline mark on the frame) and install them whichever way that sets you up closest to the factory centerpoint...

Or you could go make a sandwich, open a cold one, watch some TV and call Early Classic on Monday??

[fixit-p]

X2

[brossow]

What I ended up doing is putting the stock springs in place and locating the rearend that way. Then I installed the new springs such that the pins lined up with the axle. I would have had to move the axle 4" forward if I had turned the springs the other direction, so I assume that's right. I'll call ECE on Monday just to be sure, but they're in place for the time being at least.

Thanks,
Brent

[brossow]

Just had a crazy idea ... went out and measured the distance between wheels and it's 119" center to center. Shortbed should be 115" ... so there's the 4" difference and I know what I'm doing tomorrow. Oops!

[brossow]

Quick note to close out this thread -- for future reference in case anyone else has this question, the shorter end is at the front. With the springs properly installed, for the first time my emergency brake cables finally reach the frame brackets where they clip into.