Move center pins?

marvilusone

marvilusone

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2007
Location
Charleston, SC
I need 2" more stretch in the back of my XJ. Can I drill new center pin holes and slide everything back? I would keep the original pin in there as well and just drill a second hole in the perch and plate. I'm using 7" long perches. I'm just trying to avoid having to trim into the rear door jamb and have alot of sheet metal to patch.
 
if they are xj springs just flip the springs around or have you done that and you need two more... I used the adjustable spring mount from tnt customs (u bolt elems)
if this helps
or just move the leaf hangers where you want them in the first place
 
if you are using 7 in perches, then why dont you just drill a hole 1.5 in or so forward in the perch to move the axle back. You can drill a new hole, but its going to eat some drill bits, and you are going to need to take the old pin out.

can you flip the springs around, or maybe go with a dakota spring? I know these are a little bit overall longer than an xj spring but the centerpin is offset like an xj as well.

maybe a GM 52" spring?

I have both some dakota springs and the gm 52's if you need any measurements.
 
Before attempting to drill through a leaf pack, I would try to find another set of springs that are the same length but have a centered pin... that should give you a few inches...
 
xjay said:
if they are xj springs just flip the springs around or have you done that and you need two more... I used the adjustable spring mount from tnt customs (u bolt elems)
if this helps
or just move the leaf hangers where you want them in the first place
Click to expand...
I'm not going to flip the leafs around backwards because I'm trying to keep the wheelbase on the shorter side. I'm pushing the front out 2" and I was going to leave the rear stock but I need about 2" to clear the fenderwells at full stuff. I just got done building new shackle hangers to correct my shackle angle and moving the front would throw everything off. I'm going to look into the TNT Customs kit.
 
Mac5005 said:
if you are using 7 in perches, then why dont you just drill a hole 1.5 in or so forward in the perch to move the axle back. You can drill a new hole, but its going to eat some drill bits, and you are going to need to take the old pin out.
can you flip the springs around, or maybe go with a dakota spring? I know these are a little bit overall longer than an xj spring but the centerpin is offset like an xj as well.
maybe a GM 52" spring?
I have both some dakota springs and the gm 52's if you need any measurements.
Click to expand...
I've measured up Dakota leafs and they won't work for what I want. I would be curious to know what the center pin measurements on the 52" Chev's are though. I will most likley just drill a new hole for the center pin.
 
Being that I'm CHEAP :) I'd redrill the perches first, I have used that method several times to get and extra 1" or more. If that isn't enough you could redrill the leaf pack. Works best if you have a drill press, good bits and take the packs apart and do single leafs, but...I have done the whole pack at one time before, just harder on the bits.
 
marvilusone said:
I've measured up Dakota leafs and they won't work for what I want. I would be curious to know what the center pin measurements on the 52" Chev's are though. I will most likley just drill a new hole for the center pin.
Click to expand...

I was under the impression that the 52s had centered pins, but I may be wrong.

I have some but I can't check until next week...
 
Drilling new center pin holes in the leafs can cause the springs to crack at the old holes. I have seen this happen before. The best bet would be to drill another hole in the perches. In conjuction with this, I would possibly suggest an oversized (longer) spring plate since you are moving the pin 2" and have long (7") perches. I moved the axles front and rear on my Sami about 1" by drilling new holes in the perches.
 
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