Quick Help Needed - Leaf Spring U-bolt Pattern

[strider]

Gents,

I would like to build my new leaf spring perches this afternoon at work but I do not have the hole pattern with me. The set I made before, I used a laser-cut file and bent the blanks, but this time I'm using 3x6 rectangular tubing. The original set incorporated 2.5" of lift but coupled with the shackle reversal it was WAY too much lift.

Anyway, does anyone have a top plate that they can measure the holes on today? I need the distance between holes in both directions, I can calculate the center-pin from there.

Also, what is the diameter of the axle tubes on a 78/79 Ford 9"?

Thank you!

 

[blazinchuck]

Top spring plate holes look like 3.5" X 3", dont have the axle tude OD for the later 9". Hope this helps ;D

 

[SaddleUp]

If your putting them on the larger 78/79 housing then the measurement between the holes in that direction should match that instead of the stock. For the other direction you want them to have the width of your leafs plus a 1/4" or so between the holes. (These are not center to center measurements)
I'll run out and get both measurements for you to base them off the actuall rearend you are using rather than the stock one.

 

[SaddleUp]

Okay, The 78/79 housing is 3 1/4". The leafs are 2 3/8" wide. Looking at them closer I would only add 1/8" to this. Take both of these measurements and add the size of the holes you will be drilling to get center to center measurements. I.E. If you drill 1/2" holes (be sure to drill slightly larger than the u-bolts) then your measurements would be 3 3/4" x 3".

 

[strider]

Perfect, THANK YOU!