Topic: RUF Spring Clamp Question.

[Shamb]

So i'm building RUF for my 85 4runner and I need to put new spring clamps on that hold the springs together. I'm planning on using 3/4" flat bar and just bending it into shape but... the stock clamps look like they're pressed into the 3rd spring. I'm planning on drilling those out... no biggie...

Should I put a flush bolt back through the 3/4" flat bar up into the hole in the spring then just weld the top of it?   

Basically, how do I keep the clamp from moving around. Pressing a new one into the spring isn't an option because I don't have anything that will do that.

Not sure if I should be welding on spring steal?  i'd imagine getting it hot will make it brittle and possibly crack/break?

Any help is appreciated.

[jrock]

Little input but Ive tried welding on the spring just like you are trying and the weld would not stick.

[Shamb [OP]]

okay i've got it... one of those        moments....

you just counter sink the bolt going downwards and put a nut on the bottom because the following spring will be shorter so it will not interfere with the nut... that's what was tripping me up for some odd reason.

now that i've pictured it... it makes perfect sense... i'll just go get some counter sunk allen bolts or screw's.

 

easy....

[IronClad]

if yer welding it near the end of the spring i wouldnt worry about it ive done it alot.. as for it not sticking just set the welder to hot glue ( aka turn that b*std wayyyyyyyyy up) and get after it

[Sparkplug]

you can totally get weld to stick to leaf springs. I have my gf practice doing beads by welding stock fronts together. Id do as Ironclad said, and put them towards the end of the spring

[1980yota]

I use 4" hose clamps on mine

[superyota]

i had a set of ruf's years ago that i had matched up between two stock sets.  i welded a bolt into the whole on the spring where the stock clamp was located.  drove the truck like that for over a year, and it was out at the beach everyday in the dunes.  just short of year, the spring that i had it welded to cracked and broke right where I had welded it.  spring steel will hold the weld, until the spring actually flexes.  then it will break.  not a good idea to weld in my opinion.  I have some gorilla tape holding my rufs together now  .  my  if it's worth anything.

[IronClad]

spring steel will hold the weld, until the spring actually flexes.  then it will break.  not a good idea to weld in my opinion.

:shrug: has held up to the 100 or so trucks ive done it on including my own.