Wow... so - feeling like I may get teased, but I have got to ask. How does one remove the rear leaf spring bolts? The bolt that holds the leaf spring to shackle is inaccessible and the bolt going through the shackle to frame is accessible except for when I go to pull it out... it's too long and won't get past the frame.

Feel free to tease, but please provide some input too. Most of these bolts are frozen solid.

I'll head back out to play with it more.

 

****. I just realized looking at that picture that it is actually hitting the tow hitch. Son of a ... well ... I'll just cut it off, go buy new bolts, and put it back up in reverse. Still annoying though.

 

You got it.

Cut the bolt or drop the receiver.

I opted to leave the receiver in place and install in reverse, like you are planning to do.

Works great!

 

Great success! New vs Old below! The new leafs are apart of the skyjacker lift kit I got my hands on.

 

Not gonna lie, glad I saw your post since I was worried I'd come back, put up my post and suddenly see a "NO DON'T!" ;o)

 

Driver side is turning into a pain. Like everyone that has done this knows. I'm trying to avoid moving the fuel tank. I've got the shackle bolt undone so the rear of the leaf is loose. I've cut the front bolt, but it will NOT budge. I've heated it, used a hammer, used an air chisel, no joy. It is not moving at all.

 

Got a sawzall? Get between the spring, and the mount, and shave the bolt. Pull the spring out, and knock anything that is left in the frame side mount out. I don't recommend trying to cut them with the torch, don't wanna thrash the mounts.

 

Hmmm.... I'm going to look. I have a sawsall, but I am not sure if I have metal blades.

I also have an angle grinder with cutting blade and an air cutter (not sure if that is the term?) with cutting blade. Yeah, I'll just cut the **** out of it.

Random question for those willing... looks like the bushings are utterly thrashed from years of abuse. I don't see a "shackle" bushing out there an an option, but I can pick up shackles for $27.73 with no tax/shipping from Amazon. I'm thinking of picking them up unless anyone thinks it's a waste?


Oh, and as always - thanks for the input!

InfO.

 

Should be leaf spring bushings available in various selected materials.... might even be able to pick them up at your local auto parts store. Having good bushings in there makes them quieter, and ride nicer. (well, as nice as a truck gets......)

 

The new leaf springs have bushings already in them, so the kit doesn't have any. I'll look around, but being in NB... likely not.

Thanks for the tips, dropped the driver side leaf. So both leafs are out, now I can take some time and wire brush the axle clean prior to priming and painting.

InfO.

Edit: What have I learned so far about my truck... don't waste time trying to PB and wrench, just torch and/or cut it.