Hello,
I was looking around on the Dexter axle site the other day and lo and behold they make a conversion kit to change your axles from over the springs to under the springs. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but don't the Hi-Lo's that have leaf springs have Dexter axles? Hope this helps if your looking for more ground clearance>
Newer ones have Dexter axles but they don't have springs, they are torsion axles. Some older ones had KLO axles. So don't rush out and get this kit before you know who made your axles.
By older what year did they change? I noticed that you're a senior member. Does that mean you have been a member of the forum a long time or you really a senior. Us old guys need to stick together. (Ha Ha)