Gap between Leaf Spring and bracket

[lpukas2]

Total newb question but I have never delt with leaf springs.

This is for daily, in boarding the front springs on an early J truck.

What is everyone consensus on this? The related parts are Dorman leaf springs 97-400 and Crown J8127712 brackets (CJ7). It appears that the bushings in the leaf spring are too narrow by 1/4". Ignore the crappy bracket from Crown, that will be addressed. From what I gather, pretty much all new leaf springs for the older vehicles are around 1/4" too narrow due to the shorter sleeve in the bushings.

I will have to add washers to the shackle. as well.

I do have a set of Omix 18271.05 coming today.

Just run washers? Obviously, I don't want to just tighten them to compress the brackets.

Swap the brackets to 2.75 wide ones. (trying to stay somewhat OEM)

Flame away!

 

[Slander]

You can run a spacer or washers on that, but if everything's taken apart and has to be welded on anyway just get the proper leaf spring perch for it.

 

[Clb]

This^^^

 

[arse_sidewards]

Slap a washer in there.

Prerunner Bronco and F150 guys have been doing that for 40yr in order to run 2.5" wide springs in their 3" hangers.

Has the side benifit of making removal and installation easier too.

 

[total newb]

Or use some poly bushings and not the shit pressed in rubbers.

 

[D_JEEPER]

Probably designed for this type of bushing.... which are much better to reduce flex.

 

[lpukas2]

Alright, after digging I found out the rear bushing is 2.875 in width while the front is 2.675. Looks like I can just swap the front bushing to a RB-140 to close the gap. Not sure why they have different widths, but this is my first rodeo.

And fuck Crown automotive, all 3 hangers looked like the one in the picture while the 1 Omix Ada was straight. Also 1 of the shackles I got from Crown was twisted. Returning all that shit and going with some Ruff Stuff brackets.

 

[odSteve]

Slap a washer in there.

Prerunner Bronco and F150 guys have been doing that for 40yr in order to run 2.5" wide springs in their 3" hangers.

Has the side benifit of making removal and installation easier too.

Other than that's all they have, or it's easier to remove and replace, please explain why anyone would want to run 2.5 in. springs if their hangers will take 3 in. springs? Won't a 3 in. spring provide more stability?

 

[arse_sidewards]

Other than that's all they have, or it's easier to remove and replace, please explain why anyone would want to run 2.5 in. springs if their hangers will take 3 in. springs? Won't a 3 in. spring provide more stability?

3" spring locates the axle better but a 2.5" spring is more finely tunable (lower rate per leaf for leaves of the same thickness) and for a long time the good aftermarket options were all 2.5" because they were designed to also fit the 2wd 80-96 F150s.

Also if you wanted to run longer 64" springs you were probably ordering springs for a Chevy application hence 2.5.

 

[TTMotorsports]

On the Ford Bronco's people run the Deaver Q80 rear leaf which is an f150 2.5" leaf and bronco hangers are for 3" leafs so they just install a large 1/4" thick washer per side to keep everything centered and never an issue.