d80 swap/ spring overhaul

[ahale2772]

just thought id post some info and pics about my dually swap, and stuff ive leared about the d80's interchangability in a first gen.

snagged this axle off craigslist, out of a late 98 12v 3500 CTD dodge.


the axle is a dually but only measures 68 inches from flange to flange, thus making it more like a cab and chassis dually.

its got 3.54s and a clutch type L/S diff.

I was going to try to use the 2nd gen springs but i found out that they are about 8-9 inches too long and are 3 inch wide rather than 2.5 inch. they are also a bit thicker and measure just under 3/8 ( i still would have used them if I could but 4 inches longer on each end places hangers in weird spots)

also, the d80 perches have a hole that measures more like 5/8-3/4 for the center pin (after rust, wish i knew what they were new)

the block that were on it were about 6 inches tall.

springs:

ill be using a new set of 1ton 1stgen springs, 7 leafs, 3/4 eye bolts.

I bought hangers/ bushings and shackles from "jungle" on ram charger central, the kit came to 520$ shipped, they are super high qualiy and look professionally made.

the downfall is that they are not really interchangable with firstgen CTD stuff at all...
bushings are different (5/8 bolts and 1.5 inch OD bushings), they are not made to bolt to stock locaions, hence you will have to drill new holes.

hoping to get some done on sunday, also have dually hubs coming for the front and im hoping to do 19.5's too.

just an excuse to be a pic whore like Pullit

[collegekid]

Keep up posted with pics and descriptions, I was looking into doing that EXACT same thing...I want to say the driveshaft has to be shortened by an inch or so

[ahale2772]

yeah, ive heard the same, but my truck is allready lifted about 4 inches in the read and im hoping to get another 2-3 inches, i dont think ill need to...hopefully

[PToombs]

Alex, how much were the 1st gen springs? I got a price here and peed myself.

[collegekid]

$170 is what the post in "Best D80 axle"

[ahale2772]

Yep, 170 for stock 1ton with 3/4 eyes, the hd pack was 290 per spring and I was told adding leafs to the stock 1 ton packs I bought would bring the price per spring up to like 260 per

[ahale2772]

I would not have bought new if the packs on my truck now wernt TOAST

[PToombs]

The ones on my truck are junk too. The price I got here was $231 per side. I just don't have that kind of coin to pay out. I may be doing some custom spring work soon.

[ahale2772]

Yeah I've had my share of " custom" spring work, it's worth it some time but right now with school or work I don't have the 1/2 day of playing with springs to spare like I usually do, it's already going to take more time than I want it too to drill and mount hangers.

Seems like suspension always gets neglected, least on my rigs, I'd like for once to ride over a bump and not feel like the world is going to end

[PToombs]

I'd like for once to ride over a bump and not feel like the world is going to end

Buying a chebby huh?

[dazedandconfused]

I'd like for once to ride over a bump and not feel like the world is going to end

Buying a chebby huh?

That don't work either. Our 95 Chevy 3500 rides like a tobaco wagon being drug threw the field.

[ellis93]

Guys, don't ya'll know that if you buy 3/4 and 1tons their not going to ride like a caddy . Anything that has any hauling capacity is going to ride like a block wheel wagon, well unless its bagged anyway. Shoot, install a four leaf stack like the gasser 3/4 trucks then it'll ride good

[ahale2772]

well... got the springs and hangers on yesterday, they came out good, after lots of work. the old hangers came off good, rears were bolted thankfully and the fronts i used the gasaxe on. once i got them off i realized the main/rear fuel tank hanger was going to give me trouble. the bottom lip of the crossmember wraps around the bottom of the frame where the brackets need to mount. I had to grind off the two lower rivits on that mount, pry it down and mount the front hanger there, today i'll re-drill that gas tank bracket and bolt it back up.

other than that it was just drilling and bolting, I used the hole in the frame where the front bracket bolt slides through to get my alignment for the front brackets. on the rears i just assembled the springs and put weight on the shackles till they gave me a good angle, then made sure both sides were the same and bolted

I did not throw the d80 in yet, ill do that once i finish making brake lines for it and get lugnuts in from Mark. the hard part is done for now, the d80 swap will be a cake walk now.

some pics, yes the truck is filthy and rotted underneath, and undrcoated with animal fat sludge from he previous owner (works wonders for perserving the frame)

....and yeah pete i did all this with my hippie toes hanging out of my sandles

the front hanger:


the right rear, still need to finish bolting


had to bolt up the old overloads just so i could reuse the old u-bolts FOR NOW, when I put the d80 in I will get all new purdy stuff.


shackle angle, after every thing was bolted back up, with the truck sittin on its own.


she sits about 1.5 inches higher than she did before, took out one 3 inch block and the hangers raise the truck 4.5 inches....so that makes sence


had to drill out the front hangers and lower boltholeson the rear shackles to acomidate the 3/4 hols for the 1ton springs



more to come...

[PToombs]

Lookin' good Alex! Not bad work, for a freakin hippie!

[ahale2772]

hahaha, thanks pete, ive got frekin sandle feet tans...

so the truck rides great...no complaints there, I feel like its a caddy.

i can also feel the extra 1-2 inches of rake that it gave the truck, makes me feel like im leaning over the steering wheel...opps, its gona get another 3 inches when the d80 blocks go in