47-55.1 Tci parabolic leaf kit. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Marty68 · 06-05-2019, 10:44 AM

who here has done this upgrade?

https://totalcostinvolved.com/produc...af-spring-kit/
can the TCI kit be installed with the box on? I would like to avoid total disassembly. (that tends to end in no reassembly)

I plan on swapping in 3.42 blazer rear end. the Differential I have has 2.5" tubes.
seems most perches are for 3". I will not be hot rodding this just cruising

I have sourced an s10 T5. will do the Jeep input shaft. mod to retain existing clutch and bellhousing.

the end goal is MII front.

Summit has a kit to mount s10 on existing springs for $100.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/S10-1...ts,248867.html
it says works with 2 or 2 1/2" springs. our stock springs measure 1 3/4...

should I just use the $100 kit until I do MII kit?

I prefer to not spend money twice but I also don't want to drive truck with great suspension 4" lowered while front is higher waiting on MII...

if someone has done this please post a link. I searched and come up with TONS of posts. TCI and Springs bring back LOTS of responses

THANKS.
Marty

NeoJuice · 06-05-2019, 11:10 AM

I would think that you could probably do the install leaving the box on. I would think that you might have some problems drilling the holes for the cross member shock mounts being so close to the bed floor.

https://totalcostinvolved.com/wp-con...Spring_Kit.pdf

I have the same setup in my truck but the install was done by the previous owner and I assumed it was installed when the frame was sandblasted and powder coated.

Marty68 · 06-05-2019, 11:37 AM

my box has new bolts it may be easier enough to do with box off to warrant box removal.

Marty68 · 06-05-2019, 01:03 PM

speedway just told me buy both kits. do it with the box off.

**mr48chev** · 06-05-2019, 06:54 PM

It probably takes a couple of hours give or take to remove the box if all the bolts are reasonably new while you would be beating yourself up for days trying to drill holes under the box while laying on the shop floor unless you have a hoist in your shop.

Plus if you have the stock springs under it you need the room to get at the front spring mounts to cut or drill the rivets.

Black_Sheep · 06-05-2019, 09:34 PM

The box will probably have to come off to access rivets on the stock hangers. I used the TCI flip kit which preceded the parabolic spring kit. IMHO it was complete and well made, my only complaint would be the provided Allen head hardware that comes in the kit. I replaced them with flange head grade 8 bolts and flange head grade 8 locking nuts when I re-rebuilt the truck.

Marty68 · 06-06-2019, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black_Sheep

The box will probably have to come off to access rivets on the stock hangers. I used the TCI flip kit which preceded the parabolic spring kit. IMHO it was complete and well made, my only complaint would be the provided Allen head hardware that comes in the kit. I replaced them with flange head grade 8 bolts and flange head grade 8 locking nuts when I re-rebuilt the truck.

i like that idea assemble with regular nits until final assembly then use locking nuts.. grade 8 only welding necessary would be axle perches

**mr48chev** · 06-07-2019, 02:33 AM

Not using locking nuts until final assembly is a good idea as long as you remember to swap them out.

I'm thinking that the black coated allen head bolts are grade 8 rated. According to Fastenal the steel (back coated) allen heads are 8.8 and the alloy steel are higher rated. Another search shows that stainless has about a third the strength of the same size steel fastener.

Marty68 · 06-07-2019, 07:05 AM

I re measured the axle tube I have. it is 2 5/8" the kit says 3". so if the tube sits centered in the spring perch it would leave a gap of 3/16 on each end. a guy could weld a piece of flat stock 3/16" x 1/2" across face and rear of tube. this would make the u bolts fit snuggly against axle and leave no gap to weld at the top of the perches.. ideas? thoughts? what do you think?

06-05-2019, 10:44 AM	#1
Marty68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: west coast, Wi Posts: 534	Tci parabolic leaf kit. who here has done this upgrade? https://totalcostinvolved.com/produc...af-spring-kit/ can the TCI kit be installed with the box on? I would like to avoid total disassembly. (that tends to end in no reassembly) I plan on swapping in 3.42 blazer rear end. the Differential I have has 2.5" tubes. seems most perches are for 3". I will not be hot rodding this just cruising I have sourced an s10 T5. will do the Jeep input shaft. mod to retain existing clutch and bellhousing. the end goal is MII front. Summit has a kit to mount s10 on existing springs for $100. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/S10-1...ts,248867.html it says works with 2 or 2 1/2" springs. our stock springs measure 1 3/4... should I just use the $100 kit until I do MII kit? I prefer to not spend money twice but I also don't want to drive truck with great suspension 4" lowered while front is higher waiting on MII... if someone has done this please post a link. I searched and come up with TONS of posts. TCI and Springs bring back LOTS of responses THANKS. Marty

06-05-2019, 11:10 AM	#2
NeoJuice Registered User Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Beaumont, Alberta Posts: 468	Re: Tci parabolic leaf kit. I would think that you could probably do the install leaving the box on. I would think that you might have some problems drilling the holes for the cross member shock mounts being so close to the bed floor. https://totalcostinvolved.com/wp-con...Spring_Kit.pdf I have the same setup in my truck but the install was done by the previous owner and I assumed it was installed when the frame was sandblasted and powder coated.

06-05-2019, 11:37 AM	#3
Marty68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: west coast, Wi Posts: 534	Re: Tci parabolic leaf kit. my box has new bolts it may be easier enough to do with box off to warrant box removal.

06-05-2019, 01:03 PM	#4
Marty68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: west coast, Wi Posts: 534	Re: Tci parabolic leaf kit. speedway just told me buy both kits. do it with the box off.

06-05-2019, 06:54 PM	#5
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,731	Re: Tci parabolic leaf kit. It probably takes a couple of hours give or take to remove the box if all the bolts are reasonably new while you would be beating yourself up for days trying to drill holes under the box while laying on the shop floor unless you have a hoist in your shop. Plus if you have the stock springs under it you need the room to get at the front spring mounts to cut or drill the rivets. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

06-05-2019, 09:34 PM	#6
Black_Sheep Registered User Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: upper midwest Posts: 1,129	Re: Tci parabolic leaf kit. The box will probably have to come off to access rivets on the stock hangers. I used the TCI flip kit which preceded the parabolic spring kit. IMHO it was complete and well made, my only complaint would be the provided Allen head hardware that comes in the kit. I replaced them with flange head grade 8 bolts and flange head grade 8 locking nuts when I re-rebuilt the truck. __________________ Mark Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build

06-07-2019, 02:33 AM	#8
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,731	Re: Tci parabolic leaf kit. Not using locking nuts until final assembly is a good idea as long as you remember to swap them out. I'm thinking that the black coated allen head bolts are grade 8 rated. According to Fastenal the steel (back coated) allen heads are 8.8 and the alloy steel are higher rated. Another search shows that stainless has about a third the strength of the same size steel fastener. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around. Last edited by mr48chev; 06-07-2019 at 02:44 AM.

06-07-2019, 07:05 AM	#9
Marty68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: west coast, Wi Posts: 534	Re: Tci parabolic leaf kit. I re measured the axle tube I have. it is 2 5/8" the kit says 3". so if the tube sits centered in the spring perch it would leave a gap of 3/16 on each end. a guy could weld a piece of flat stock 3/16" x 1/2" across face and rear of tube. this would make the u bolts fit snuggly against axle and leave no gap to weld at the top of the perches.. ideas? thoughts? what do you think?



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