1952 1/2 leaf Sprinf installation

[MichaelN]

Is there a correct position to the installation of the rear leaf springs? I noticed that the springs are a different length from the center. Does the long side go front to back?

[Henry50]

I believe the short end goes to the front.

[dsraven]

maybe something on here will help you?

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...esto/index.htm

[greg_h]

If you are using the torque tube rear end, short segment to the front. If you look at the pivot mount on the rear end, it actually centers more in the leaf spring if that makes sense. If you use an open drive shaft rear end, use 55 1st series springs as the locating pins are almost centered front to rear.

[mr48chev]

That sounds great until you go looking for 55 first series rear springs at Pick a part. It wold work ok if you were ordering new springs and just marked that box rather than the 54 and older box.

[greg_h]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

That sounds great until you go looking for 55 first series rear springs at Pick a part. It wold work ok if you were ordering new springs and just marked that box rather than the 54 and older box.

Understood...I assume that you are going with a later open driveshaft rear end then? At least you get the reasoning behind the offset on the earlier springs though. Also, 55 2nd series springs are wider. just in case the project wasn't tough enough. I bought new springs from ESPO springsnthings.com and they were not too bad compared to others I have seen advertised. Just tossing out the options...

[dsraven]

if you want to go with a newer rear axle and a different style of springs you can buy the ford ranger frame mounts cheap enough. ranger hangers are about $20 at advance auto parts.other guys have done that then bolt them to the frame and go. if you are going with a different diff, like s10 or something, just get the diff and springs complete with spring hanger brackets front and rear. done.

whats the plaaaaan? pics? ideas?

[mr48chev]

All the gent wants to know is which end of the spring goes to the front so he doesn't get it backwards and we get all sidetracked. He probably has the springs in by now

There are a number of easy to do donor rig rear springs and hangers and shackles that won't break the bank Late 80's early 90's at least Dodge Mini van spring hangers unbolt from the donor Short wheel base vans have shorter rear springs than the long wheel base ones. I haven't looked under the Dakota donor but figure to use the rear springs and hangers out of it unless the hangers won't work. Then the back end of the Dakota will become a trailer.