Bad Idea? Lifted hanger for slipper springs...

[jcahillmetals]

So I'm looking to add some ground (and tire) clearance to my 77 Coleman Concord that I plan to take offroad. It's currently sitting on 16.56x6.50-8s and there are some pretty substantial rub marks on the floor. The axles were SOA when we purchased it and I'd like to step up to 5.30-12s.

All that said I was looking at maybe replacing the front stock height hanger with this 3-1/4" hanger from e-trailer. I then would take the stock front hanger and put it on the rear to retain the radius slipper spring end for maybe a little more security offroad versus the bent clip style retainer.

I'm hoping this won't put too weird of an angle on the leaf or cause instability but I'm pretty new to these slipper springs.

Otherwise, I was going to sister a 2x3 rect tube to the frame and move the mounts to that. Maybe both?

 

[Lug_Nut]

Can you determine if the tire rub marks are from before the axle was remounted to be under the springs? Have you already tried to fit the taller tire with the current (spring over axle, but no perch spacer) configuration?
Taller tire is the only way to raise the axle for ground clearance. Then add spacers as needed to raise the trailer for tire to trailer clearance.
I'd be inclined to use the full length riser, if solely for the frame strength addition.
Adding a riser to one spring end only wouldn't change the angle significantly.

 

[J Starsky]

I'd consider moving to a lift spring that was captured on the approach side and has a shackle, like a jeep our older 4x4 setup. I would not add a riser, or wedge, or try to build the axle perch higher to gain the clearance you want.

I would look for a frame repair shop or truck utilities type business and show them your setup and what you'd like to do. They might have some part options or methods you haven't considered yet.

 

[jcahillmetals]

Can you determine if the tire rub marks are from before the axle was remounted to be under the springs? Have you already tried to fit the taller tire with the current (spring over axle, but no perch spacer) configuration?
Taller tire is the only way to raise the axle for ground clearance. Then add spacers as needed to raise the trailer for tire to trailer clearance.
I'd be inclined to use the full length riser, if solely for the frame strength addition.
Adding a riser to one spring end only wouldn't change the angle significantly.

Yeah, they look like they could have been going on since the flip. There is also a bumpstop that I can't tell whether or not they are factory. I'm fairly certain there isn't room currently for the larger tires. I've considered lift blocks but I'm having trouble finding custom ubolts that are above grade 5(this doesn't seem tough enough for me coming from the offroad world).

I'm also considering tubbing the floor an inch or two with some 18ga steel as I'll be replacing the damaged sections of the floor already.

 

[Lug_Nut]

I don't think the 'flip' was ever performed. I think, based on the tire to floor space relative to the axle position if on top of the spring, that the axle has always been under. That is, unless the floor was replaced and a non-'tubbed' fully flat floor was installed.
If you have interior space available, I'd get some 'inner fenders' from a scrapped trailer and add them, and cut out (and seal the cut edges of) the floor. That'd get the clearance for a taller tire, obtain the higher axle clearance, all while avoiding the spring mount modification effort completely.

 

[jcahillmetals]

I don't think the 'flip' was ever performed. I think, based on the tire to floor space relative to the axle position if on top of the spring, that the axle has always been under. That is, unless the floor was replaced and a non-'tubbed' fully flat floor was installed.
If you have interior space available, I'd get some 'inner fenders' from a scrapped trailer and add them, and cut out (and seal the cut edges of) the floor. That'd get the clearance for a taller tire, obtain the higher axle clearance, all while avoiding the spring mount modification effort completely.

I'm inclined to agree with you that SOA was the original axle configuration judging by the current clearance. I believe these always had flat floors but I could be mistaken. I haven't been able to find decent inner fenders locally so I'll probably just fab some.