Topic: Reverse and put rear leafs in the front?

[mountainyoda]

I have an 83' pickup. and want to reverse and put the rear leaf springs on the front. I've done this before to an 84' and it was great, soft ride and great down travel. however the up travel was limited due to the front shackle maxing out against the frame. I don't know if I should move the shackle mount back (which would be kind of hard because the frame curves inward) or lowering the leaf perch (by adding square tubing between the perches and the frame). Should I do both modifications or will only one of them work? Also specs and measurements will be greatly appreciated.

[Stillcrawlin 82]

I am going to go with Marlin springs up front and go with
my stock hangers and do believe I will have similar problem
so Im going to go with some Banana or Boomerang shackles saw
them on Sky Manufacturings site maybe they might work for you.
what year rear springs are you useing did you have to have them
rearched

[whiteman]

If you put blocks between the frame and front spring hanger all it will do is lift you truck more and throw your pinion angle out of whack.

First how long of shackles were you running, I would try a six inch shackle, if that doesn't work you could do something similar to what I did.  http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=17097.120  Here is the link to my build, i don't have the best pic to show you how I did it but scroll through pages 4 and 5 and look at how I mounted my shackle hangers under the frame with a six inch shackle.

This will solve your problem, however you may have have to lower the front hanger as well to get your pinion angle where you want.  I will take some measurements when I get home so you know where mine are set up at.
                                                                 
I have already fully cycled the front suspension and put the spring way past neg. arc, and still had plenty of upward travel out of my shackle as well as droop. 

I may post some better pics but I don't know where my camera is  

[mountainyoda [OP]]

Thanks Whiteman. : Thats very informative!! Your ride looks like a lot of fun, not only to ride but to create it..  I was also wondering... I am going to put 1988-1998 1/2 ton Chevy springs on the rear w/ double shackles. If I put the stock rears on the front, do you think with this configuration my truck will set level? Oh Yah one more thing,., looking forward to those measurements. thanks again...