TeamTruett

With the differential and trailing arms in place how does one go about installing the leaf spring? Body is off so there is no weight to work the jack against.

Nowhere Man

When dad and I did it last it was using a jack, two ratchet tie down straps and a little back woods ingenuity.

66jack

nassau66427

The easiest way is as 66Jack did with the jack atop the crossmember.

Note the vice grips in the picture.

You'll want to do something to prevent your strap from sliding up the spring.

TeamTruett

Thanks for the reply with the great visual. That's what I'll do with vice grips as well

mrg

Two 3/8" all thread rod along with two 1/4" angle iron cut to length and holes drilled could be another way to do the job. Angle on top and bottom, run nuts up to compress assembly.
John

NightshiftHD

Just did my 66 a month ago. Bolt the spring to the differential. Install your trailing arm spring bolts and leave them hanging. Using your floor jack, raise the end of the spring up to the hanger bolt. Your frame will start to lift so I sat on the rear frame rail over the rear wheel and my weight was enough to compress the spring an inch or so so you can reach down and install your washers, rubber bumper and castle nut. Then switch and do the other side. Once both castle nuts are on a couple threads you can tighten them up the rest of the way. My spring is a 7-leaf F41 so it doesn't curl around as much as the standard 9-leaf spring, but I still think ou should be able to do it the same way. Easy peasy. Cheers, Bill

dkleather

You may already be aware but don't torque the four center plate bolts before the body is on and a short ride is made. Snug them up and wait for your maiden voyage to do the final tightening. Dave