shortening fiberglass leaf spring

[HOTWHEELS68]

I just baught a rear roll pan for my safari and the eyelet of the spring is in the way . would it be possible to drill out the rivets ,cut off the end of the spring, then re-attach the eyelet with bolts instead, to make the roll pan work has anybody tried this or at least thought of doing it. thanks

[AstroAustin]

I wouldn't feel safe doing that.
Sounds like you have a rear shackle from a lowering kit. Those stick out too far. Is that what you have?

Got a photo?

[HOTWHEELS68]

yes it is . what could I do to it to make it work?

[AstroAustin]

Not really sure how you can make it work with the shackle sticking out. I used to have the same problem and to solve it took the shackle out and mounted the springs back into the stock location. Well, then I bagged it so that solved that...

[Astroboy303]

i have done that on about twenty astros and i haven't had any problembs what i did is first drill out the rivits and then cut about an inch out maybe two then slide the eyelet back on center it drill out one hole verry slowly put a grade 8 .5/20/1 bolt with washers through and tighten it then do the second one it takes a little time but it works and i have had one on my van for the past 5 years and no problembs to date http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak- ... 436636980_

[astroturf]

i have done that on about twenty astros and i haven't had any problembs what i did is first drill out the rivits and then cut about an inch out maybe two then slide the eyelet back on center it drill out one hole verry slowly put a grade 8 .5/20/1 bolt with washers through and tighten it then do the second one it takes a little time but it works and i have had one on my van for the past 5 years and no problembs to date http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak- ... 436636980_

Yer LINKY ain't werkin.

[Astroboy303]

i have done that on about twenty astros and i haven't had any problembs what i did is first drill out the rivits and then cut about an inch out maybe two then slide the eyelet back on center it drill out one hole verry slowly put a grade 8 .5/20/1 bolt with washers through and tighten it then do the second one it takes a little time but it works and i have had one on my van for the past 5 years and no problembs to date http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak- ... 436636980_

Yer LINKY ain't werkin.

ya i ain't that techy can't figure it out( new here )try this one http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.c ... D=27942277


http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.c ... D=32477058

[astroturf]

i have done that on about twenty astros and i haven't had any problembs what i did is first drill out the rivits and then cut about an inch out maybe two then slide the eyelet back on center it drill out one hole verry slowly put a grade 8 .5/20/1 bolt with washers through and tighten it then do the second one it takes a little time but it works and i have had one on my van for the past 5 years and no problembs to date http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak- ... 436636980_

Yer LINKY ain't werkin.

ya i ain't that techy can't figure it out( new here )try this one http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.c ... D=27942277
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.c ... D=32477058

That one worked. Nice pix. Thanks, Jim

[Astroboy303]

thanx it has a zz4 fuel injected thinking bout a 5 speed and a 95+ Gmc nose and trying to find a roll pan don't want to build one. been using it for towing the drag car so i have just kept the bumper now i gave the bumper away so i hane to do somthing any way

I just baught a rear roll pan for my safari and the eyelet of the spring is in the way . would it be possible to drill out the rivets ,cut off the end of the spring, then re-attach the eyelet with bolts instead, to make the roll pan work has anybody tried this or at least thought of doing it. thanks

let me know if you try my way it really works great .

[astro355]

Since you haul a trailer with it, why not replace the fiberglass leafs with the steel ones? As long as the springs were cut right and carefully, it would be a stiffer ride by making the springs shorter but also more rigid (ie brittle). Hauling a trailer with that setup is the only thing that draws my concern.

[Astroboy303]

[Astroboy303]

Since you haul a trailer with it, why not replace the fiberglass leafs with the steel ones? As long as the springs were cut right and carefully, it would be a stiffer ride by making the springs shorter but also more rigid (ie brittle). Hauling a trailer with that setup is the only thing that draws my concern.

the first astro i had we cut the springs 3" and it was a little bit stiffer but that van is still siting on those springs and the guy still drives that van daily i would never reccommend anything that i have not tryed or risk my good name in doing so i have made allott of trips on these springs with the drag car for races or to shows and i have no excessive wear on my springs where i cut them But i only cut 1.5" out of them didn't change the ride at all now i have 200000+ miles on this setup and it has never given me any trouble., also i don't have the time or money for changing over to steel leafs now days, plus it would be easier to go four link with all the great kits they have out their now wouldn't it

[astro355]

Since you haul a trailer with it, why not replace the fiberglass leafs with the steel ones? As long as the springs were cut right and carefully, it would be a stiffer ride by making the springs shorter but also more rigid (ie brittle). Hauling a trailer with that setup is the only thing that draws my concern.

Of course it is possibly more fradgile But if i wanted to go that rout than why not go four link it would be allott easier than changing over to steelies (Properly ) but i have been towing on that setup for a long time and i checked it yesterday pulled the hole thing apart and it shows vertually no excessive wear that i have seen when the weather pick's up here i will have to send picks ., the ride changed only when i cut the first set on my first astro i cut too mutch off 3" Rode like crap bagged it and sold it in 95 i have done allott with these astro's and found what i like and what i don't like i drive this astro every where daily i have a great ride NO BAGS go cross country from Kansas to California twice a year whith no problems somtimes even with my vega behind it my wife and kids too i have found this to work verry well .

Putting steel leafs on these vans is a direct bolt-on. 96 and newer vans come with steel leafs. The only thing I would be worried about would be split-ends on the end of the spring you cut. Fiberglass likes to fray like that. But hey, if it works for you, great.

[Astroboy303]

Since you haul a trailer with it, why not replace the fiberglass leafs with the steel ones? As long as the springs were cut right and carefully, it would be a stiffer ride by making the springs shorter but also more rigid (ie brittle). Hauling a trailer with that setup is the only thing that draws my concern.

Of course it is possibly more fradgile But if i wanted to go that rout than why not go four link it would be allott easier than changing over to steelies (Properly ) but i have been towing on that setup for a long time and i checked it yesterday pulled the hole thing apart and it shows vertually no excessive wear that i have seen when the weather pick's up here i will have to send picks ., the ride changed only when i cut the first set on my first astro i cut too mutch off 3" Rode like crap bagged it and sold it in 95 i have done allott with these astro's and found what i like and what i don't like i drive this astro every where daily i have a great ride NO BAGS go cross country from Kansas to California twice a year whith no problems somtimes even with my vega behind it my wife and kids too i have found this to work verry well .

Putting steel leafs on these vans is a direct bolt-on. 96 and newer vans come with steel leafs. The only thing I would be worried about would be split-ends on the end of the spring you cut. Fiberglass likes to fray like that. But hey, if it works for you, great.

i know they are direct bolt on but the pirches on the axle are different IE i will need an axle then i will have to go buy another flip kit (gets kinda expencive) there are no quality salvage yards arround here that i know of that are cheep when i took mine apart there were no cracks

[Gary]

Since you haul a trailer with it, why not replace the fiberglass leafs with the steel ones? As long as the springs were cut right and carefully, it would be a stiffer ride by making the springs shorter but also more rigid (ie brittle). Hauling a trailer with that setup is the only thing that draws my concern.

Of course it is possibly more fradgile But if i wanted to go that rout than why not go four link it would be allott easier than changing over to steelies (Properly ) but i have been towing on that setup for a long time and i checked it yesterday pulled the hole thing apart and it shows vertually no excessive wear that i have seen when the weather pick's up here i will have to send picks ., the ride changed only when i cut the first set on my first astro i cut too mutch off 3" Rode like crap bagged it and sold it in 95 i have done allott with these astro's and found what i like and what i don't like i drive this astro every where daily i have a great ride NO BAGS go cross country from Kansas to California twice a year whith no problems somtimes even with my vega behind it my wife and kids too i have found this to work verry well .

Putting steel leafs on these vans is a direct bolt-on. 96 and newer vans come with steel leafs. The only thing I would be worried about would be split-ends on the end of the spring you cut. Fiberglass likes to fray like that. But hey, if it works for you, great.

Jim,yrs ago when I was a kid(kind of hard to believe I was at one time huh-LOL)I worked at a front-end/spring replacement shop called Fry-The-Wheelman.They had a forge and the typical real old guy blacksmith with the hammer and anvil.He would hammer out any leaf spring anyone could ever want and still keep the temper in the spring steel.They had never ever gotten a spring back and he was with them when they opened in the late 1940's.To watch him work was a true work of art.They have since closed up the shop,but for this o/p to find that kind of shop might be a very good long term answer.

[Astroboy303]

Jim,yrs ago when I was a kid(kind of hard to believe I was at one time huh-LOL)I worked at a front-end/spring replacement shop called Fry-The-Wheelman.They had a forge and the typical real old guy blacksmith with the hammer and anvil.He would hammer out any leaf spring anyone could ever want and still keep the temper in the spring steel.They had never ever gotten a spring back and he was with them when they opened in the late 1940's.To watch him work was a true work of art.They have since closed up the shop,but for this o/p to find that kind of shop might be a very good long term answer.

tha would be cool if i didn't live in redneck hell where there are no real fab shops,the only junkyard is in a guy's backyard or driveway or i have to drive 400 miles to another state the newest car in the junkyard is a 85

[Gary]

Jim,yrs ago when I was a kid(kind of hard to believe I was at one time huh-LOL)I worked at a front-end/spring replacement shop called Fry-The-Wheelman.They had a forge and the typical real old guy blacksmith with the hammer and anvil.He would hammer out any leaf spring anyone could ever want and still keep the temper in the spring steel.They had never ever gotten a spring back and he was with them when they opened in the late 1940's.To watch him work was a true work of art.They have since closed up the shop,but for this o/p to find that kind of shop might be a very good long term answer.

tha would be cool if i didn't live in redneck hell where there are no real fab shops,the only junkyard is in a guy's backyard or driveway or i have to drive 400 miles to another state the newest car in the junkyard is a 85

Consider weither it is a better answer to drive now to get what ya need or get stuck with the fiberglass spring broken the same distance form home later.

[Astroboy303]

Jim,yrs ago when I was a kid(kind of hard to believe I was at one time huh-LOL)I worked at a front-end/spring replacement shop called Fry-The-Wheelman.They had a forge and the typical real old guy blacksmith with the hammer and anvil.He would hammer out any leaf spring anyone could ever want and still keep the temper in the spring steel.They had never ever gotten a spring back and he was with them when they opened in the late 1940's.To watch him work was a true work of art.They have since closed up the shop,but for this o/p to find that kind of shop might be a very good long term answer.

tha would be cool if i didn't live in redneck hell where there are no real fab shops,the only junkyard is in a guy's backyard or driveway or i have to drive 400 miles to another state the newest car in the junkyard is a 85

Consider weither it is a better answer to drive now to get what ya need or get stuck with the fiberglass spring broken the same distance form home later.

good point but i have better plans for later but my first plan is getting out of Kansas then my projects are endless ,body drop,front wheel tubs ,four link 11" rear bags ,9" front bags ,and a built turbocharged ls6 (or the cl6 from the trucks cast iron block boared to 427 )o and a 9" Should be awsome

[astro355]

good point but i have better plans for later but my first plan is getting out of Kansas then my projects are endless ,body drop,front wheel tubs ,four link 11" rear bags ,9" front bags ,and a built turbocharged ls6 (or the cl6 from the trucks cast iron block boared to 427 )o and a 9" Should be awsome

Is Kansas the name of your wife or something?

[Astroboy303]

good point but i have better plans for later but my first plan is getting out of Kansas then my projects are endless ,body drop,front wheel tubs ,four link 11" rear bags ,9" front bags ,and a built turbocharged ls6 (or the cl6 from the trucks cast iron block boared to 427 )o and a 9" Should be awsome

Is Kansas the name of your wife or something?

HAHA i am moving back to Colorado in six months