78 / 79 series rear leaf springs in 75 series ute

[sprung over GQ ute]

G'Day

Just wondering if anyone knows what might be involved with fitting longer 78 / 79 series rear springs into the back of a 75 series ute. I have done a little looking into the idea and believe the later model springs are 172mm longer than 75 series items. Both 79 and 75 leaf widths are 70mm. I realise that fitting the longer springs is going to increase my wheel base and that I may need a rear tail shaft spacer. I already have extended shackles which are approx 4in longer from pin to pin than standard which I am planning on using. I also do not want to have to relocate the standard 75 series hangers but am prepared to get the 79 series spings reset with greater hook thereby reducing the length if they are too long.

I am also hoping that my current 75 series rear springs will fit in the front. Again this will increase my wheelbase resulting in the front diff being pushed forward approx 50mm, which should be a good thing i.e better approach angle, reduce tyres from scrubbing out on rear section of front guard. Just wondering if anyone out there has heard of similar mods being done successfully to a 75 series and if so what problems I may encounter?

[zoook]

the 78s are 85 mm longer from the front eye to the centre bolt i was looking at this and measured up for my troopy....its a fair job to move the rear housing back 85mm .cant be done on a troopy the body gets in the way but on the ute....shock crossmember moved, brake lines extended, tail shaft extended, handbrake cable, it may be easier and cheaper to move the front hanger forward and retain the stock rear diff position ....i was told thats how it can be done on the troopy but i havent seen it ....a good conversion i reckon more comfort and flex post pics if you do it....

[Barno111]

IM looking at doing the same in the rear of mine! Working with a spring works up here! we reckon we can get it in and only move the diff back abit! From our measurements its the rear length that you have to worry about! but im reseting so it will bring it back in abit, with extended shackels shouldnt be a problem! will post pics and tell you how it went!

[Dane]

I looked into fitting 79 rear springs to my 75. If you have good fabrication skills, I would consider moving the front mounts forward and the rear mounts back to the position they are in on the 79. You may need to check out the side plate on your tow bar to clear but it looked pretty straight forward, especially if you had a mate with a 79 you could take measurements from.

[sprung over GQ ute]

Thanks Guys for your comments

Definitely something to think about. I really want to try and avoid having to relocate any of my hangers and rear shock mount crossmember. I have been busted twice before for having the ute sprung over and want to be able to easily reverse any mods.

I am liking the sound of Barno111 comments (hopefully get away with extended shackles, spring reset, possibly a driveshaft spacer and Ive already got extended brakelines) I would be very interested once you have sorted the mods Barno111, especially, what size drive shaft spacer, shackle lengths used and what specs the springs were reset to.

I have also heard of XF Falcon ute/van springs and Ford Explorer rear springs going in the rear of Landcruisers as the top leaf. However I think they are a 60 or 65mm wide spring dont know if this would make much difference, especially if the rest of the leaves in the pack were Landcrusier items?

Any more ideas or phots guys would be much appreciated

Cheers
Nick

[steelo1]

My X leaf springs are a 65mm X 1400mm 4pack, I have 2"extended shackles as well.
Hope that helps a bit

[Barno111]

seeing though this thread has just popped up. I may as well tell all what i have found out! Short answer, No they will not fit, even with 2inch shackles.

Long answer: This springs could quit possibly fit under a 75 series ute, I had a camber set to 5 1/4 inches above standard with load bearing leaves out and 3 leaves put back in. I put these springs under with extended shackles and they still sagged until the hit on the chassis rail. In the process of doing this the springs were set that high the pritty much everything had to be disconnect from chassis to diff because it had to be jacked up that high before the springs would reach the diff. In saying that these could possibly fit under if more leaves were added to the pack to keep them up, also quit possibly more camber would be needed also! If you are going to use or think about using these in the rear you will probly end up with around a 6 - 7 inch lift if you were to get them done right! (with extended shackles) You could possibly have them lower if you went to BIG shackles. My recommendation is use your existing 75 packs with longer wraps, mains and 3rds. Or have whole new packs made up.

For my lift i am using 60 series rear packs with only 5 leaves and reset to 3inch higher then stardard (should sag down to 2inch) for the front. and 79 rears with wraps and mains cut and rewraped and set to about 4inch higher then standard (should sag down to around 2 1/2 - 3) for the rear.

Im not sure on the exact lengths (cant remember) But the 60 series rears are 50mm longer in the front half of the pack (diff doesn't move forward) And rears are going to be 15mm longer in the rear half (mount end half) and 50mm longer in shackle end half. Move my rear diff back 15mm!

Hope this helps anyone with a 75 who is thinking of spring work! Once i FINALLY get around to putting them back in i will let you all know how it goes!! with pics!!

[GO79]

Urm arnt the 5 stud 7x series have widere leafs to

[Barno111]

Nope same width leaves!

[GO79]

ah kay
so its just the hanger bit that is welded to the chassis thats wider on the later 7x series than early ones

[chunderlicious]

ah kay
so its just the hanger bit that is welded to the chassis thats wider on the later 7x series than early ones

yeah, the 75s dont have that front spacer thingy on the fixed pin. just a bolt.