47-55.1 Centering the rear end

[mobileortho]

I mentioned in a previous thead that I needed to center the rear end of my truck. I was going to do this by reversing the springs. Although this seems pretty straight forward, I've found out that what sounds simple rarely is. Is there anything I need to be prepared for or is it as simple as it seems?

[larry may]

Reversing the springs? How does that work to center the rearend. Just curious! Thanks for any information how that works to center a rear-end.

[solidaxel]

iT MOVES THE TIRE TO THE REAR, to center it in the wheel well (fender opening)
Now you are going to lengthen your driveshaft right!

[Houston54]

I did this flip on my 54 and it does help get the rear wheels lined up in the fenderwells better but it will not get them all the way there. You still need to move them 3/4 further rearward to center them up.

The best solution is to spend the $550 on a rear leaf spring kit and be done with it. You will get a better ride and it will not be kluged together.

If you are lowering the truck also you may need to notch the frame rails depending on how far back you moved the axle. Your frame has higher kickups than my 54 so this may not be an issue.

[mobileortho]

I just stumbled across a kit that Brothers sells that will move the rear back 1 1/2". Retails for $50.00. I might give it a try.

[50adrod]

Originally Posted by mobileortho

I just stumbled across a kit that Brothers sells that will move the rear back 1 1/2". Retails for $50.00. I might give it a try.

I also used the TCI rear leaf kit, like said above remember your driveshaft

[mobileortho]

Just found out that CPP has the same item for $20 cheaper.

[mobileortho]

I was talking to the owner of a hotrod shop about this and he said that all I have to do is drill the centering hole in the main leaf to center the rearend! Thats it!! No kit required!! Can't get any more simple than that!

[JML55]

Originally Posted by mobileortho

I was talking to the owner of a hotrod shop about this and he said that all I have to do is drill the centering hole in the main leaf to center the rearend! Thats it!! No kit required!! Can't get any more simple than that!

Good luck trying to drill a leaf srping, that is realy hard stuff.

[Houston54]

Drilling a spring is never a good idea. Another solution is to flip the spring then use a spring perch that has three holes in it. Open the front hole to permit the head of the spring bolt to pass and position the axle on the springs using that front hole. This will get the wheels centered correctly. You will have to fabricate new lower plates which is simple enough. The lower plate will need to have the center hole located to match the upper spring perch hole. Use good u-bolts and re-do your drive shaft and you are there.

Might seem to be a bit shade tree but it works and saves you $$ over the leaf spring kits. As long as you are not planning to run a high power/torque motor this should work fine for you depending on the condition of your original springs.

If you have not already done so you should replace the front spring hanger for the rear leafs with the rear spring hanger from the front springs. This, in conjunction with flipping the axle on top of the springs will get you a good ride height for that truck provided the front end is lowered to match.

[50adrod]

Originally Posted by Houston54

Drilling a spring is never a good idea. Another solution is to flip the spring then use a spring perch that has three holes in it. Open the front hole to permit the head of the spring bolt to pass and position the axle on the springs using that front hole. This will get the wheels centered correctly. You will have to fabricate new lower plates which is simple enough. The lower plate will need to have the center hole located to match the upper spring perch hole. Use good u-bolts and re-do your drive shaft and you are there.

Might seem to be a bit shade tree but it works and saves you $$ over the leaf spring kits. As long as you are not planning to run a high power/torque motor this should work fine for you depending on the condition of your original springs.

If you have not already done so you should replace the front spring hanger for the rear leafs with the rear spring hanger from the front springs. This, in conjunction with flipping the axle on top of the springs will get you a good ride height for that truck provided the front end is lowered to match.

sounds like a lot of work. then you need to address the shocks. the spring kit with new springs and shock relocation, with new shocks is around $500 from TCI and it bolts to the original frame holes, it centers the axle and lowers the rear about 4 inches. to me not bad for the price

[PDW HOTRODS]

What rear end are yuo using? If the pad is long enough drill a new hole in the pad and leave the pin in the springs where it is. I am using a Nova rear end, and the pad was plenty long.

[mobileortho]

It's a Chevy II rear end.

[sickytwisted]

I made a block with a machine screw and a hole in the opposite side to Center mine. The hole clears the bolt through the leaf springs and the machine screw goes into the hole in the perch about 1.75" back. Cost me 6 bucks. If I remembered how to post pictures here, I would.