How To Save $150

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RustyRatRod

I was born on a Monday. Not last Monday.
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This is for people with more sense than money. Most of us know, when you upgrade leaf springs, you change the front hanger bolt diameter to 5/8". Simple enough to remove the original hangers and enlarge the bolt holes. What about the rear hangers and shackles? Most guys I see on here "upgrade" to the B body hangers and shackles. That's about another $150 outlay. Screw that. The stock A body shackle bushings are 7/8" OD and 1/2" ID. Here's how I've been doing it for a long time.

The stock K7309 bushings are on the right. The K3194 bushings on the left are 1" OD and 1/2" ID which fit the stock shackles on the upgraded springs. These are about $5 a pair.

BUSHINGS.jpg


Here is the difference in the bushings. The 1" OD bushings will fit "whatever" 1" upgrade springs you get, using the stock shackles with the 1/2" pins. No need to buy expensive B body hangers and shackles.

BUSHINGS1.jpg


Here they are installed. I grease them with a non petroleum based brake grease. Been meaning to do this for a while as I've been riding on the stock 7/8 bushings, which is correct for the top, but too small for the bottom. Now everything is right, plus I saved about $150. Only about a $10 outlay for new bushings and 15 minutes time.

BUSHINGS2.jpg
 
!!THANKS!! Now all I have to do is remember this LOL
or find it again with the "search" tool on FABO:rolleyes:

In the event of misunderstanding... the "search" is sarcasm as I have the hardest time finding anything with the "search" tool
 
This is for people with more sense than money. Most of us know, when you upgrade leaf springs, you change the front hanger bolt diameter to 5/8". Simple enough to remove the original hangers and enlarge the bolt holes. What about the rear hangers and shackles? Most guys I see on here "upgrade" to the B body hangers and shackles. That's about another $150 outlay. Screw that. The stock A body shackle bushings are 7/8" OD and 1/2" ID. Here's how I've been doing it for a long time.

The stock K7309 bushings are on the right. The K3194 bushings on the left are 1" OD and 1/2" ID which fit the stock shackles on the upgraded springs. These are about $5 a pair.

View attachment 1715711599

Here is the difference in the bushings. The 1" OD bushings will fit "whatever" 1" upgrade springs you get, using the stock shackles with the 1/2" pins. No need to buy expensive B body hangers and shackles.

View attachment 1715711601

Here they are installed. I grease them with a non petroleum based brake grease. Been meaning to do this for a while as I've been riding on the stock 7/8 bushings, which is correct for the top, but too small for the bottom. Now everything is right, plus I saved about $150. Only about a $10 outlay for new bushings and 15 minutes time.

View attachment 1715711602

Now that is some high quality H20. :D
Great info Rob.
I think everyone who takes that advice should tip you 20 or so, at least.
 
I just pull a couple bronze bushings off the rack at the parts store wall, and slip it into the stock bush, and use the original bolts, for the rears shackles. <$10 .
 
Last edited:
I submitted this as a How To article.
 
This is for people with more sense than money. Most of us know, when you upgrade leaf springs, you change the front hanger bolt diameter to 5/8". Simple enough to remove the original hangers and enlarge the bolt holes. What about the rear hangers and shackles? Most guys I see on here "upgrade" to the B body hangers and shackles. That's about another $150 outlay. Screw that. The stock A body shackle bushings are 7/8" OD and 1/2" ID. Here's how I've been doing it for a long time.

The stock K7309 bushings are on the right. The K3194 bushings on the left are 1" OD and 1/2" ID which fit the stock shackles on the upgraded springs. These are about $5 a pair.

View attachment 1715711599

Here is the difference in the bushings. The 1" OD bushings will fit "whatever" 1" upgrade springs you get, using the stock shackles with the 1/2" pins. No need to buy expensive B body hangers and shackles.

View attachment 1715711601

Here they are installed. I grease them with a non petroleum based brake grease. Been meaning to do this for a while as I've been riding on the stock 7/8 bushings, which is correct for the top, but too small for the bottom. Now everything is right, plus I saved about $150. Only about a $10 outlay for new bushings and 15 minutes time.

View attachment 1715711602
Your timing is Awesome!
THANK YOU!!!!
 
Your timing is Awesome!
THANK YOU!!!!

You're welcome, Rob. I actually looked for both the bigger 1" bushing shackle kits AND the 1" diameter shackle brackets last night. The shackles of course are readily available at about 100 bucks a pair. I could not find the frame brackets at all. Anywhere.
 
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