52" front springs for dummies

[Lotsa_Faith]

I've done some searching for an explanation on the benefits of bigger springs in the front, but since there are a jillion posts that contain the phrase "52 inch springs" I haven't gotten anywhere. I know that longer springs in the front will help with flex, but I have a few more questions about it;

1. What vehicles have the springs that are right for the front?

2. Does it give the truck any lift?

3. Pros/cons of doing this vs. just getting regular lift springs (other than the flex issue, don't flex much at all)

 

[USSkoval]

1. Rear of most 1/2 ton trucks

2. 2-4 inches usually, with stock springs.

3. Really should do crossover steering, which is good, but adds to cost/hassle. Sometimes too soft for regular street use.

 

[NorCal_Chris]

http://coloradok5.com/52inchspringswap.shtml

 

[max 02]

1. Rear of most 1/2 ton trucks

2. 2-4 inches usually, with stock springs.

3. Really should do crossover steering, which is good, but adds to cost/hassle. Sometimes too soft for regular street use.

? for# 3 what if you don`t do the crossover.Is it going to be crap, or will it do for bit?

 

[MTBLAZER89]

? for# 3 what if you don`t do the crossover.Is it going to be crap, or will it do for bit?

Yeah you won't be able to steer when the suspension droops at all. Just too much travel for the stock setup. Dont forget loooong brake lines and shocks/mounts plus a driveshaft with a lot of slip all needed to make 52's work the way they should. The word "cheap" gets thrown around a lot with the 52 swap, but the extras needed to use the benefit are not.


Here is all the info you could ever want

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148725

 

[yellowK20]

? for# 3 what if you don`t do the crossover.Is it going to be crap, or will it do for bit?

to expand on what MTBlazer89 said:

the swap moves the axle forward a bit which cause the dragling to need to be shortened thus aggravating the already crappy bumpsteer these trucks have

 

[max 02]

Thanks for the info,got some reading to do.

 

[blazininthe73]

Yeah you won't be able to steer when the suspension droops at all. Just too much travel for the stock setup. Dont forget loooong brake lines and shocks/mounts plus a driveshaft with a lot of slip all needed to make 52's work the way they should. The word "cheap" gets thrown around a lot with the 52 swap, but the extras needed to use the benefit are not.


Here is all the info you could ever want

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148725

I can't help but notice all the rigs that don't have driveshafts in those threads. I think 4 wheel drive and 48s will work better.

 

[MTBLAZER89]

I can't help but notice all the rigs that don't have driveshafts in those threads. I think 4 wheel drive and 48s will work better.

Thats why I always mention new front driveshaft to guys contemplating this swap. A stock shaft doesn't have enough slip to stay together with the 52's and as mentioned the swap moves the axle forward.

My front shaft has about 10* more angle capability than stock and 12" of slip.

 

[dirtygoat]

It's cheap if you build everything yourself... But, you need to do a ton of research and be pretty good at fabbing up your own parts...

I've got ~10" of slip on my square d-line and still separated it...

For a trail rig that you want to flex a lot, it's worth it... Might not be worth it to most guys though... There's a lot involved...

 

[howdiy]

It's cheaper to just get new lift springs