Forum Discussion

J_K_Livin's avatar
J_K_Livin
Explorer
Jul 10, 2017

leaf spring hanger reinforcement

I know there have been several posts on this. Before a 2,000 mile trip I wanted to replace the cheap leaf springs and shackles that came stock. I have about 13,000 pounds on two 7,000 pound axles, so right at the limit when loaded. My springs were flat after only a year so I had a local spring shop make 4,000 pound springs, put on a Morryde heavy duty shackle wet bolt kit, and then welded some cross-beams across all three leafs. It is much more stable and now I'm not worried about breaking off the hangers when making a tight turn. Overall cost was about $500. Still amazes me the manufacturers make such cheap suspensions. Pretty much made for occasional short trips to a local campground, but I wouldn't trust them for long hauls.






Moderator edit to re-size pictures to forum limit of 640px maximum width.

  • Charlie_D_'s avatar
    Charlie_D_
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2017
    TucsonJim wrote:
    Lippert? Cheap? I like your solution, and it is probably a lot less than the MorRyde bars. I'm curious though. Why did you put the wet bolts in with the zerk fittings behind the tires. Won't that make it harder to get the gun on them to grease them? Most people put the zerks on the inside of the frame to get easy access.


    Installed mine on the outside. A fitting on a 45 fits my gun just fine.
  • J_K_Livin's avatar
    J_K_Livin
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2017
    I can get to the zerk fittings pretty easily with them facing outside. The cross beams are only welded across the leaf hangers - they're not attached to the frame although that's not a bad idea. Here's another angle:


    Moderator edit to re-size picture to forum limit of 640px maximum width.

  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Jul 10, 2017
    How about downsizing your picture to fit the page or ask the mod to do it for you.

    From scrolling back and forth its hard to tell if the stabilizing tube is somehow tied to the trailers main frame rails or just the spring hangers.
  • azrving's avatar
    azrving
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2017
    Nice job. You can travel with confidence. If you ever watch the suspension when someone else is twisting a rig into place it's pretty brutal. I reinforced my sons hangers yet cringed at the tire twist as I watched him park it and he has range E tires 16 inch. I also love the thickness of those side plates.
  • TucsonJim's avatar
    TucsonJim
    Explorer II
    Jul 10, 2017
    Lippert? Cheap? I like your solution, and it is probably a lot less than the MorRyde bars. I'm curious though. Why did you put the wet bolts in with the zerk fittings behind the tires. Won't that make it harder to get the gun on them to grease them? Most people put the zerks on the inside of the frame to get easy access.

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