Gladiator AAL

[Brly]

I don't think it was a plow truck, but the front springs are beat up. I won't mind if the front end is a hair lower, but it's very noticeable right now and takes away from both the function and appearance.
The three different front spring packs for this truck all had brass bushings. They're included with the springs from Hell Creek.

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[Brly]

The new springs are in. Did a u bolt flip using bolts and spring plates from Barnes. Everything went fairly smooth. The passenger side bushings were frozen on the posts. A little heat and I was able to pry them off. Replaced the existing steering stabilizer too.
Tom at Hell Creek was very helpful setting me up.
Raised the front about 1/2". While I'm happy to have the new springs in, I really would like to raise the front a little more. Would extended shackles in the front work? Are there any available? I realize that would only get me about an inch, but that would probably be just what I need.

[Stuka]

Not sure if there are extended shackles that will work for a post mount front. To gain an inch, the shackles would have to be 2 inches longer. This can result in flighty steering.

[Brly]

Bj's has extended front shackles for the '70's trucks, wags, etc. Gains one inch of lift, so I assume they're 2" longer.
I asked them if it's just the bushing that won't let it work on a post mount truck. Waiting to hear back. I can get bronze bushings machined pretty easily, so I was going to try it unless there's something else I'm missing. I imagine the spacing in the extended shackle is a little more than 2.5" for the later trucks, but I can make up for the extra space with top hat bushings or spacers.
I wasn't aware of the steering issue. Does the steering feel sloppy with the long shackles? Not sure what you mean by flighty.

[Stuka]

Not sure if the BJ's shackles have a large enough bushing to be replaced with one for a post mount, but worth checking. The other thing is if they will clear the frame, as they are thicker.

Longer shackles change the caster angle, this results in the wheels not wanting to self center. So it results in the truck wanting to wander. Personally I really dislike it.

[44bz]

Are your rear spring shackles flipped down? If so, that’ll make the rear sit a few inches higher than the front. Might be the issue since spring sag must not be the reason for the height difference.


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[Brly]

BJ's got back to me and recommended that I not use their extended shackles for my application. Thanks for the explanation of the caster angle.
The rear shackles are not flipped down. I guess it just sat this way from the factory.
I was under the impression it sat pretty level.
The rear springs are super stiff. Big main leaf pack, then a spacer and another small leaf pack.

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[Stuka]

Ah, that amount of rake is 100% normal. That way its level once you put weight in back. And, very clean truck!!

[timwiller]

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthre ... +gladiator

look at my trucks profile..you are right on dude. {consider the camper}

truck is awesome!!

lets see the inside

[Brly]

Thanks guys. I'll leave it alone then.
I don't have any pictures of the inside since I cleaned it up. I'll get some more pictures, inside and out, and post them.

[Brly]

The interior is in remarkably good shape IMO. The seat back shows it's age with a couple tears and the door panels are pretty rough, but otherwise everything is just fine. Took it for a spin tonight to run some errands. I swear it runs and drives smoother the more miles I put on it. Really itching to get a T18 swapped in. Soon I hope.

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Not sure why the photos are flipped. I'll work on that tomorrow.