8.8 swap
Almost finished! This has been a pretty big project for me and I'll be happy to have it done. I wasn't able to find bushings for the leaf springs or the shackle's at any of the local parts stores. I decided just to reuse what I have and up grade whenever I can afford a new set of springs. I will, however, have to go searching for a smaller bushing to fit into the pipe I used for the shackle hanger.
Everywhere I read about using the pre-existing hole in the frame said you couldn't use a hole saw, you just had to open it up with a drimel type tool. Well I didn't really like that Idea so I come up with a way to use a hole saw to open it up. I used a scrap chunk of 3/16 plate, and drilled a 1" hole in a corner. I tacked and clamped it to the frame with the 1" hole over the frame's existing hole. This way I can use the hole in the plate as a guide for the hole saw. It worked out great. The only advise I have is set the plate hole a bit higher than the hole in the frame. Because there is a pinch weld in the way of getting the drill totally vertical, if the first hole is a little high, it will match the second hole just about perfect. Hope this helps. Here's a few more pics.
Jake
Almost finished! This has been a pretty big project for me and I'll be happy to have it done. I wasn't able to find bushings for the leaf springs or the shackle's at any of the local parts stores. I decided just to reuse what I have and up grade whenever I can afford a new set of springs. I will, however, have to go searching for a smaller bushing to fit into the pipe I used for the shackle hanger.
Everywhere I read about using the pre-existing hole in the frame said you couldn't use a hole saw, you just had to open it up with a drimel type tool. Well I didn't really like that Idea so I come up with a way to use a hole saw to open it up. I used a scrap chunk of 3/16 plate, and drilled a 1" hole in a corner. I tacked and clamped it to the frame with the 1" hole over the frame's existing hole. This way I can use the hole in the plate as a guide for the hole saw. It worked out great. The only advise I have is set the plate hole a bit higher than the hole in the frame. Because there is a pinch weld in the way of getting the drill totally vertical, if the first hole is a little high, it will match the second hole just about perfect. Hope this helps. Here's a few more pics.
Jake