Rear Frame Bent/Twisted?

[atvkid4eva]

Hey guys. I have a 91 ranger with a 6" lift. It has 64" chevy leafs with belltech shackles in the rear. The problem is from the back of the truck it has a lean to the left side. I am getting ready to tube in the back and wanna get it leveled first. I jacked the left frame rail up until it was prefectly level and welded some tubing as a brace. As soon as i lowered the jack the left side fell lower than the right. I dont understand? Is there any direction for the 64" checky leafs maybe i have one mounted backwards? Everything moves free in the rear suspension. has anyone seen this before? It something with either the frame rails or the leafs. All shackles r new and mounted securely.

 

[railman]

ahhh the infamous "Ranger Lean".....

is your gas tank full???....lol.....

since the fuel tank and the driver are on the same side...it seems that the springs tend to sag quicker on the drivers side....

there have been plenty of discussions about it, but have only seen temporary solutions to it...

l8r, John

 

[atvkid4eva]

im aware of the ranger lean, but this is worse! very very noticable. and the tank is empty and the bed is removed

 

[brinker88]

Post pics?

 

[atvkid4eva]

i did take a pic, but its very hard to see in the pic. When i had a bed on it the left side wheel well would be about 2" closer to the tire than the right. Its off enough to where when i start to cage it i'm going to run into problems keeping everything symmetrical.

 

[atvkid4eva]

 

[brinker88]

Yea I need close up pics of everything. From that pic, it definitely looks tweaked though.

 

[atvkid4eva]

what close up pics would you like? I will get whatever ones you want. Let me know. Thanks

 

[dangerranger83]

The top of the cab looks level but the frame is off a bit. Looks a bit tweeked to me.

 

[atvkid4eva]

heres some better pics..I also posted pic of each rear shackle where the leaf mounts..they appear opposite on each side, but im almost positive when i installed them i made sure i had them both in the right direction.

 

[brinker88]

Your one spring eye is open a LOT more on the first pic.

Also would like side views of the springs and along the frame....It could DEFINITELY be twisted w/ the amount of force those tires are putting on that frame when flexing it out....

 

[atvkid4eva]

well each spring has a wide opening at one end and a narrow opening at one end. When i took the off the donor silverado i made sure i marked the end that was at the rear of the vehicle. Then when i installed them i notice they are installed opposite of each other. The frame has been like that since the day i bought the truck. Drives straight as an arrow down the road. any ideas on how to fix it?

 

[brinker88]

I just checked, Chevy springs are the same length from both ends of the center and have the same bushing in each side.

It sounds like you might have a weak spring or tweaked frame...I know my shop doesnt charge much to check for a bent frame...try to find a shop around your area.

 

[atvkid4eva]

i dont understand what a shop would do to fix it that i cant? i leveled it out and welded in some tube, how did it still lean? lol

 

[budro]

swap the springs

Simple test would be to swap the springs from side to side to see if the lean follows the spring that would eliminate out a weak spring pack.