RedBrute
1/2 ton status
First off, many Thanks to Mikeyd05 for the compilation of all the threads dealing with this subject. I did this swap over the memorial day weekend and have driven the blazer since monday. My reason for this was twofold... ride quality and improved flex.
I had been running 3"TuffCountry EZRide springs up front with ORD HD shackles and greaseable bushings for about 8 years now. The ride was better than stock but still too stiff and off road it didn't flex as well as I had hoped. My installation is different from most in that I left the axle in the "stock" position.
I did this by moving the front spring hanger forward directly under the body mount lining up the 2 forward most holes on the mount and the 2 forward most holes on the hanger first and redrilling the other mount/frame holes and using grade 8 hardware.
For the spring shackle I left the mount in the stock position and fabricated new shackles with a bolt spacing of 5.250" to keep the pinion angle as close to stock as possible. (with the spring flexed flat against the overload, the rear spring eye does not touch the frame but is darn awful close). I also replaced the stock front upper shackle hanger with the DIY4X FUSH kit ( awesome quality and dead on bolt in) and added ORD greasable bushing to the front.
So basically I kept the axle location front to rear stock and moved the front hanger forward 2 inches and the longer shackle in the back took care of the additional 2" length to the rear. The shackle angle with the 3" TC springs was straight up and down, now the lower portion of the shackle is 2" back. I don't know what angle that works out to be but in reading the threads on here dealing with favorable shackle, it appears to be MUCH better than straight up and down. Ride quality is 100% better.
I have driven this Blazer to work over the same potholed roads for years and I find myself anticipating bumps that I simply don't feel now. The springs were my original rear springs, just wirebrushed, POR15'ed, new bushings and new anti/friction pads at the ends of the springs. I gained 1.125" of lift so the blazer sits a bit high in the front with 4" TC EZrides in the back. (yes I had 3" in front and 4" in back to eliminate the saggy butt look).
I have driven this Blazer for 8 years with no swaybar and don't feel it is necesary, but then I drive it like what it is... a heavy short wheelbase lifted truck not a friggin sports car. I also have ORD's crossover steering. (last summers mod) and run Rancho RS5000 shocks. The next mod will be longer shocks and possibly longer bumpstops to take full advantage of the flex/droop (as the budget allows).
I had been running 3"TuffCountry EZRide springs up front with ORD HD shackles and greaseable bushings for about 8 years now. The ride was better than stock but still too stiff and off road it didn't flex as well as I had hoped. My installation is different from most in that I left the axle in the "stock" position.
I did this by moving the front spring hanger forward directly under the body mount lining up the 2 forward most holes on the mount and the 2 forward most holes on the hanger first and redrilling the other mount/frame holes and using grade 8 hardware.
For the spring shackle I left the mount in the stock position and fabricated new shackles with a bolt spacing of 5.250" to keep the pinion angle as close to stock as possible. (with the spring flexed flat against the overload, the rear spring eye does not touch the frame but is darn awful close). I also replaced the stock front upper shackle hanger with the DIY4X FUSH kit ( awesome quality and dead on bolt in) and added ORD greasable bushing to the front.
So basically I kept the axle location front to rear stock and moved the front hanger forward 2 inches and the longer shackle in the back took care of the additional 2" length to the rear. The shackle angle with the 3" TC springs was straight up and down, now the lower portion of the shackle is 2" back. I don't know what angle that works out to be but in reading the threads on here dealing with favorable shackle, it appears to be MUCH better than straight up and down. Ride quality is 100% better.
I have driven this Blazer to work over the same potholed roads for years and I find myself anticipating bumps that I simply don't feel now. The springs were my original rear springs, just wirebrushed, POR15'ed, new bushings and new anti/friction pads at the ends of the springs. I gained 1.125" of lift so the blazer sits a bit high in the front with 4" TC EZrides in the back. (yes I had 3" in front and 4" in back to eliminate the saggy butt look).
I have driven this Blazer for 8 years with no swaybar and don't feel it is necesary, but then I drive it like what it is... a heavy short wheelbase lifted truck not a friggin sports car. I also have ORD's crossover steering. (last summers mod) and run Rancho RS5000 shocks. The next mod will be longer shocks and possibly longer bumpstops to take full advantage of the flex/droop (as the budget allows).
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