This is awesome!!

[94ranger#22]

I'm going to have about 3 grand to put into my truck within the next month or so. I need some input on a front end setup. Should i get cut and turned 4x4 beams? or ditch the 4x4 and get 2wd beams? I'll probably spend about 1500 on the front end. I'm startring on a bed cage this weekend and getting fox shocks and probably will pick up a pair of used deavers.
Thanks,
Stephen

 

[Quasi242]

I would keep the 4X4, it will make the truck that much more functional. But since I don't own a twin I beam truck, I do not know what that would involve. Either way, congratulations on the start of your build. If you have not already made your way over to Dezertrangers, you should. There is a wealth of prerunner build information on that site.

 

[94ranger#22]

Yeah i was looking there yesterday, I found a couple sets of cut and turned beams for about 200 bucks so i'll probably pick those up. How much did the leafs on your truck cost you?

 

[Quasi242]

I have the Giant 64 kit. Leafs, front and rear mounts, shackles, ubolts, lower bash plates, and bushings ran $1,800.00 plus shipping. Not the cheapest option, but it is the best performing leaf spring setup available.

 

[94ranger#22]

Yeah thats alot. I'll probably just find a used set of deavers and use my skyjakcer ones til then. I found the autofab front end with heim joint ra's and everything for 1600 just waitin for the guy to get back to me

 

[RangerRocker]

If you cant afford the 64" kit from giant, go to your local junk yard and find 64" leaf springs off a chevy silverado. There is an article about it in the tech section of this site. Its a much more cost effective option for us low budget guys.


Good luck with your build.

 

[94ranger#22]

Yeah I'm thinking of going with the chevy leafs. Do i Just get them re-arched? or do OI have to add more leaves into the pack?

 

[RangerRocker]

I would suggest doing both. Find some thin, flexy leafs that are the same width as the 64s you pull. Build yourself a pack with 7 or so leafs, then take them to a shop and have them re-arched.

 

[94ranger#22]

When they rearch them doe it change the length?

 

[94ranger#22]

Here's a little update. got all the money today. going to look at the autofab dana 35 front end tonight. hopefully pick it up for around 1000 beacause its missing the tranny x member, RA heim joints and mount. but while those come in it will give me time to get the stock i beam mounting brackets and plate the RA's

 

[94ranger#22]

On the chevy leaf swap how do you mount the front spring hangers? I was looking at it and cab mount is right there. anyone got close up pics on the front hangers?

 

[RaceRanger97]

On the chevy leaf swap how do you mount the front spring hangers? I was looking at it and cab mount is right there. anyone got close up pics on the front hangers?

if it is an ext. cab, when you move the hangers forward you have to cut into the body mount. And on the 64 idea, try to get around 7 leaves as evenly staggered as possible then have the pack arched together. S-10 leaves seem to work well..

here is a pack I made:

At droop:

 

[94ranger#22]

Alright thanks
heres some pics of the autofab front end i picked up for 1200 last night, ordered the new heim joints, radius arm mount and x-member this morning should be here friday.

and a couple of the bed cage

 

[94ranger#22]

Still waiting on the heim jints and RA mount to come in. Ordering deavers monday
Going to look at a set of fiberglass fenders tonight too

 

[djschick88]

And on the 64 idea, try to get around 7 leaves as evenly staggered as possible then have the pack arched together. S-10 leaves seem to work well..

So get a 64" main leaf off a full-size chevy and use s-10 for the rest?