Mattb1984

I'm going to start my first ever budget build. Step one I'm going to bastard pack some s10 springs for the rear. Any suggestions or heads-ups before i start tomorrow?

travis123321

The Cherokee main leaf will need to be drilled out to 3/8" so the leafs don't slide around and stay lined up. A lot of people say to use a masonary drill bit for that because it won't dull as bad

Mattb1984

Thanks, i was wondering about that. Some say drill leaf others said grind the new bolts. Do i need to worry about cracking the leaf if i drill it?

travis123321

you should be fine if you use some oil on the bit, lubrication and take it slow when drilling and for the pin, you will need to ground the head of it to sit in the spring perch. (3/8" is bigger, thats why you need to drill the cherokee leaf out. because the cherokee center pin is a little smaller.)

Mattb1984

Well i have finished, and only broke one bolt when adding t-case drop but thats fixed nd she's ready for the road. Thanks for your advice.

travis123321

sweet! get some pics of it!

Mattb1984

Here are some pics, very basic build st by step over the next couple years i plan on more. Quick question, when i broke the bolt for the skid plate we were able to heat and blow the broken bolt out. We were able to retap the nut and still use itwe got it bolted tight but seems as though the nut let go of the frame after it was tight. Its curently holding nicely but i want to fix it. My idea it lose the current spacers and weld square stock with nuts it in in place to the frame and remount the skid plate to the square stock. Ideas, thoughts or suggestions are helpful.

travis123321

i wouldnt weld it, because if you would happen to go bigger youll be making a lot of work for yourself. pull the bolt out and drill it a tad bigger. retap it to a bigger size and get a bolt for the size you tapped it too. itll be a lot better then welding it

98REDXJ2

what you need to do really is remove your carpet and cut a hole in the floor to get to the spot welded nut in the frame rail that you broke off and remove it and weld in new nuts or weld in a small strip with nuts welded to it, put it together close up the hole you make in the floor and your good to go.

Mattb1984

Will do, didn't even think of that, one more question shocks, rears are not gonna last, looking for cheap replacement for now, how long extended should i look for in shock sizes

travis123321

get ford f150 shocks. thier good for up to 4 inches of lift, i just bought some of theses the other day. you nned to press the bar pins out from the old shocks and into the new f150 shocks for them to work. MAKE sure you get this part number...

Monroe #59578

heres the build page that i got them from http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/...udget_Lift.htm