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My wife calls it Fozzy. From that scene in one of the muppet movies when Fozzy bear is driving across country in a Studebaker, and says "Ahhh... a bear in his natural habitat. A Studebaker!"
Can anyone take a measurement for me? I need an accurate measurement from the bottom of the frame to the top of the axle tube on the rear end. I need to know this number at ride height, with the weight of the vehicle on the suspension. Thanks!
On my 1993 Dakota LE (ext cab), RWD, passenger side from the top of the axle tube (centered on the highest point) measuring straight up to the bottom of the frame (where it curves upward) is right about 6-1/4". Truck is sitting in my garage with no weight in it or on it.
Thank you, bronze. The ride height is an important number when installing the four link suspension kit, and since I only have a bare chassis up on stands the rear end is at full droop. My next challenge will be compressing the leaf springs enough to get to that number you gave me. I am trying to use the leaf springs as my "fixture" - holding the rear end in alignment while I weld in the four link mounts. If I remove the leaf springs, it will create a lot more work in getting the rear end in the correct position. Full droop that distance is 10.75". Compressing the leaf springs 4.50" will not be an easy task. Hmmm....
Thank you, bronze. The ride height is an important number when installing the four link suspension kit, and since I only have a bare chassis up on stands the rear end is at full droop. My next challenge will be compressing the leaf springs enough to get to that number you gave me. I am trying to use the leaf springs as my "fixture" - holding the rear end in alignment while I weld in the four link mounts. If I remove the leaf springs, it will create a lot more work in getting the rear end in the correct position. Full droop that distance is 10.75". Compressing the leaf springs 4.50" will not be an easy task. Hmmm....
And a lot of energy will be stored up waiting for a victim. I know you'll be careful.
I tried using some motorcycle ratchet straps. They are too small. I will try with some 3" car tie downs with a higher tensile strength. I could only compress the leaf springs 1.5" with the smaller ratchet straps.
I have come to the conclusion that to install the four link kit properly I will need to remove the leaf springs after all. It means more labor, measuring, aligning, etc., but it will be safer. I also want to have the lower brackets outside the frame rails, and the leaf springs and their brackets are in the way. I was going to try and mount the lower bars/brackets to the inside of the frame rails, but that raises some unforeseen issues as well. Oh well.
