SMKYTXN's Build

Looking good man. Can't wait to see the outcome

 

The lonestar jamboree in Gilmer Tx is going on the first weekend in May. You should come out.

Thanks!

 

Making progress

 

So I saw it when you first put it on and for some reason I didn't comment; I'm not sure if it was because I randomly forgot or because of blind jealousy but that bed is SICK!

I did miss the information about it though. Did you build it or but it?

 

Two leafs wasn't enough.



Four leafs was too much



Time to try three leafs

 

I think three leafs is where it's at.

At rest



Full droop. Yes, the angle is negative, but I expect the leaves to settle and this angle will be closer to vertical



Need new brake lines

 

woof that negative shackle is scary... you may want to strap it at vertical so you dont have a reversal one day. Mega jelly though, looks awesome man. Dont forget to cut those ubolts down

 

Cutting the ubolts is on the list today. I can still move that rear hanger forward an inch and take care of the negative shackle. Think that's advisable?

 

I'm definitely not the expert on that type of shackle but a strap would be an easy cheap solution to avoid an inverted shackle event. Could also look into boomerang shackles. I would maybe post that shackle angle in the LT thread and ask about moving the mount forward a bit more. Lots of guys in there that would know what the best solution is there.

 

Leaf springs and shackles are interesting. Before you move it forward for good play around with things a bit. When I built my trailer I had the shackle just barely too far forward. When the trailer was fully loaded and hit a big bump the leaf springs would flatten out allowing the shackle to extend backwards and lock in an upward position. Not wanting to cut the hangers I just got longer shackles and solved the problem but yours looks exactly like mine did at rest.

Obviously the truck is going to behave much different than my trailer with 3500lb springs but something to watch out for.

 

I don't think the leafs settling will change where droop is; it will just affect ride height. I'm not an expert by any means though I think I would move the hanger forward a little since having it go negative implies that the hangers are too far apart right?

 

You're right Brady. The leafs settling will just increase the positive angle at rest.

I'm going to leave it where it's at. With the higher positive angle I'll have more load capacity.

I'll run it like this for now and see how it does. If worse comes to worse I can put a limit strap on it.

 

Everything is welded up and ready for paint. I lost three hours of work due to a welding class kicking me off the machines. I think I'll leave paint and assembly for tomorrow.

 

awesome!

 

Go Nathan. Go!

 

Everything is painted. Waiting a bit for it to set up and then I'll start putting it back together.

 

The gas tank is back in. If you ever have to pull the tank do yourself a favor and pull the muffler first. Having that space makes life so much easier.

On another note, I broke the little tab that clamps the power line to the fuel tank. It's a very snug fit, but I have s fear that it will come loose. At least I know the first place to check if the truck ever stops running on me.

 

Good job looks good!

 

So there's always something you don't consider that ends up biting you in the ass. The new leafs have a five degree shim under them. Well, that's enough to rotate the axle to where the stock shocks won't go into the upper mounts. Seriously? Can't get a break.