Truck in question is a 92.

I recentlly swapped in a Ford rear axle into my truck. Previously I had the stock Toyota rear end in with 3" lowering blocks. I utilized the the lowering blocks again with the Ford axle, but because it has a larger pumpkin, I now hit the crossbar that is located above the axle. I have brand new shocks that didnt help much, and my leaf springs are fairly worn. Could dead leaf springs be a big issue as to why its so low? I cant imagine the 3" blocks bringing it down so far.

Also, anybody familiar with air bags? I am opening thoughts to runnings an air bag suspension, but something that can handle California pot holes and high power drifting, not for going low and scraping.

Please load this thread with replies , I want to get this beast driving again !

(Im trying to get pictures up right now but they wont load-standby)

 

Open a photobucket and post it that way. It works all the time. I can't wait to see it. Why put a ford axle on it?

 

I think he wanted disc brakes?

 

Its a track truck with a small block Ford and 5 speed. I wanted the Limited Slip and disk brakes too.

 

jump the truck and it will clearnce it's self hehe

 

Air shocks?

 

Nothing mentioned will limit travel...Bigger bump stops will keep the pumpkin from hitting but that is basically the same thing elsewhere. You will need to either reduce suspension travel or clearance things underneath. Stiffer springs, air springs, shocks, etc do not limit travel, they just try to lessen it.

 

Thats what I am confused about. There IS NO suspension in the rear, even when everything is hooked up. Its solid, 100%, no travel; the pumpkin is literally resting on that cross bar. I can get rid of the lowering blocks but I dont want to because of the height.


I was thinking of making or purchasing new bump stops and just ride on those, however, that's ****ty and i'd rather not do that.

 

I don't know if this will help but our Toyota pumpkins are smaller but since I have a 8 inch drop on air shocks I had that bed brace notched or trimmed. When I air it up no worries but when air it out my pumpkin almost sits on the brace. I plan to just cut a small hole in the bed and it will sit a couple of inches thru the bed. I have a bed mat so a small hump coming out of the bed wont hurt my uses for the bed. I have 4 1/2 inch blocks and I have really good travel. Just get yourself some really good drop shocks.

 

Notch the frame and get rid of the crossmember and install a fuel cell. I had the same issue b4 i notched. Thats the only way ur gonna be able to stay that low and have plenty of axle clearance. Since ive notched mine it rides great and no clearance issues at all and im all static tuckin 20s. Can show pics if needed.

 

Notch it.

 

It sounds like you need to either a) design a new xmember to clear your pumpkin. I would remove the bed, take the stock straight across xmember out, redesign a new xmember to curve forward at the center where the pumpkin comes in. you may need to clear the relative area above the bed to clear as well.... Similar to how some air bag guys clear for a notch bridge.

Option b) you use a toyota 8" rear end out of the v6 or 4speed rear end. Im not sure if you upgraded to the ford rear end for its strength, or the disc and lsd goodies. Pound per pound, inch per inch, I trust the toy 8" to hold up just as good and last allot longer.

 

The truck is caged and therefore removal of the bed is limited unless I cut the rear roll bars, which is something I would like to stay away from.

I chose the Ford rear end definitely for the goodies, but it also matches the Ford powerplant and transmission too.

At this time, im going to remove the bar and make extended bump stops. That will enable me to drive it to a lift and figure out something more sizeable.

 

Not to bug you, but would you mind showing some pictures of your rear setup? If possible, the notch. Im also curious to see the whole truck !