DIY RSK. no need for expensive kits

yesterday I planned a DIY RSK for my 63 ranchero that sits on a 89 F350 4x chassis.
4x4x 3/16 box tubing, from my local steel supply - $50 bucks(left over from a side job, FREE)
6" x 10' x 3/16 plate - $30 (left over from a side job, FREE)
3" x 4' x 3/8 flat bar for shackles $20
rear upper shackle mounts $40
http://www.ebay.com/itm/401214428630?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

heavy fabrication required, if you have a grasp on welding, this can be done pretty easily.


soon as the rear shackle mounts come in, ill start this.

plan is to build the rear shackles out of 3/8" flat bar.
I don't need to lift this any more, so ill be making my rear shackle as short as possible.
soon as that's done, I can figure out the difference inbetween the height of the rear leaf spring mount
vs. the stock height.

then I can take my 4x4 and sink it up into the frame rails and box the front rails.
I will be doing a custom bumper. so the stock mounting will be going away.

on my last RSK, I did an elaborate shackle. no need for this.
I will simply re-make the mount for the DOM tubing for the rear upper shackle mount.
with gussets that will resemble the stock rear leaf mount.

my front leaf spring mounts will be kinda crazy, but I want this thing "bulletproof"

now I am a self proclaimed cut off wheel king.
I cut everything with a cut off wheel.
a plasma or torch can be used, but I hate cleaning slag, and I don't have a plasma

give me a week or 2.
ill get this going

Nice, I think I have most of that steel list lying around. following!

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kinda stuck on the floor of the chero until these parts come in, I need to combine the shackle and body mount.
so this may get more elaborate than it should in your truck.
seeing as the body and rear shackle mount is so damn close, im gonna make it pretty stout!
estimated delivery is today!!!!

parts are in, but ive had to take the next few days off of this project to swap axles on my SD.
and I robbed my 3/8" need to go get more

the sooper ****** is lifted, getting a driveshaft made, gonna be a few days.
so back on the chero today.

I took some measurements, and found out how much more doing a rear shackle with a 1/2" gap
and found how much more its going to lift it.

the bottom of the frame gap for the front of the shackle is 4"
this is why I chose to use 4x4x1/4
cut the frame to get the tubing inside.
I will be addressing this more later.
installed the front spring hangers.
im also going to tie the hangers together, and a 45*ish gusset on either side.
ive got 80 bucks into this now,
spent another 20 on 1/4" instead of 3/16", more meat!
gonna use the 3/16 for other areas of the truck.
so I can take that 20 out putting me back at 60$

rear is done, just need to gusset it up a bit more before I re-install the bushings.
didn't get to it today, tomorrow is another day.
front cab mounts also complete minus welding, but I think im gonna work on the pass side a bit more.

anyone interested in these?
just pay shipping.

Having a hand in mild fab, I am impressed at your uniform work as far as tabs go. Did you just use a flap disk and years of practice to get that super clean roll, or another tool?

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a cut off wheel and a grinder, truth be told I hit them with a 7" grinder first, then to the 4.5
then to a flapper, and if you wanna show the world you have big nuts, you break out the file....
no file for me

I do weld all the tabs together when I grind

rear gussets, front gussets all done.
could have placed the rear shackle hangers another 1/2" forward, but they will swing ok.
not really going for comfort.
and here you have it,
Reverse Shackle, under 100$

Ah, there's the secret. A uniform stack of workpieces welded together makes for a uniform curve. Good tip

IDIoit said:

anyone interested in these?
just pay shipping.

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Someone thinking about doing a 2wd to 4wd conversion using the stock configuration should jump on these and get them.