The front view of the hanger makes it look like a stock leaf pack, but the other view showing the buggy-leaf setup looks like aftermarket springs.
Can you take a shot of the whole spring?
One side has ladder bar? Or both?
Would it be safer to put some bolts in the rear, or even weld the leaf spring on the bottom all the way down? The angle iron welded to the frame looks pretty "beefy" and is well welded to the frame.
In the long run, yes it would be better. But space the shackle end of the leaf out from the mount so the shackle has free movement at all times, then bolt and weld.
Also, I'm a little concerned about alignment? Is there a way to verify that the axle is exactly 90 degrees perpendicular to the frame?
The fact that it drives pretty good is a good sign, but you should have it up on an alignment rack and get the full printout so you can use it for reference when tracking down any little glitches in handling.
You can do an initial measurement between front and rear axle centers to see if it's skewed in one plane. That does not tell you everything you need to know, but it can at least get one aspect clear.
The truck actually drives and rides pretty damn good down the highway? Power steering is just a little too sensitive for me though??
What kind of steering setup does it have? Sensitivity can come from anywhere almost. Literally from the tires to the steering box and the linkage in-between.
This is a pic of the front leaf connections, does it look original?
Original? Nothing is original on that truck anymore it looks like. Even the stock rear shock mount has been reversed to inside the frame!
Yes, that's a stock hanger, and it looks like a stock leaf spring pack attached to it. But if this is the same side of the truck as the other pic, we've GOT to see more pics!;D
The truck is suppose to have Yukon axles but I thought that was just the shafts?
Yes, likely just the shafts themselves. That's a good thing usually, but you won't know what you have really until you can pull one out. Likely it's 31 splines, but could be 28's still (unlikely but possible) or even 35 splines judging by the trouble the PO went to, to modify things.
Any suggestions on what I should replace this set up with would be appreciated?
No idea until we see more detail.
I had to remove some skid plates to see but there are brake lines hooked to both of those knobs.. One line even connects them together?
Not sure about that, unless the PO was trying to get even more bias than what a single valve could provide. But if it's a line-lock type thingy as Broncobowsher was saying, it's as awkward as it gets having it plumbed in under the vehicle. Should be on the dash!
The one on the right is the "increase decrease" knob and the one on the left is the "Jamar" knob?? Haven't fooled with them but just wondering what effect they have on the brakes?
The one is a proportioning valve designed to restrict fluid to the rear brakes to avoid, or reduce rear wheel lockup under heavy braking.
Increasing or Decreasing could go either way if the manufacturer decided to go their own way. Check with whoever made it to make sure that "reducing" means lowering pressure to the rear brakes, or maybe reducing the valve's effect. Always thought that wording was confusing.
But the others that use them will know for sure if it means reducing pressure.
Good luck. Can't wait to meet Seymour Pics.;D
Paul
