52 spring swap on the street

[U-711ipmc]

Guys whats the thoughts or concerns if I do a 52 spring swap on the front of my 89 Zomburban? The truck is not a daily driver but would be driven weekly during deer season 2 hours round trip to our property. I like the benefits of more flex for the front along with lift but what about driving on the highway?

 

[Russell]

They ride very smoothly, but you will notice a ton of body roll without a sway bar. With a sway bar they are alright on the highway. You'll notice that your steering will get very sloppy with the 52" front springs though. You have to run crossover steering and first bit of the steering movement is lost in the body moving sideways on the springs. The only way to fix this is with a track bar. Unfortunately it will also bind as the leaf springs move the diff in a different arc than the track bar so it would need to be made disconnectable so you would have full flex capability offroad.

I'd personally suggest going with a coil / link suspension instead. There are many advantages including much better axle control (no spring wrap) and steering feel. Flexing is just as good but with less roll steer if designed right.

 

[82355]

I drove my Blazer from California to Nebraska on 52's right down the Interstate. This past weekend I drove it almost four hours, went wheeling, flopped it (not due to the springs), and drove it the almost four hours home.

Martin

 

[80' 427]

I drove Marty's Blazer 90mph or so in the mountains. After 50 miles or so you get used to it.

 

[82355]

Yeah, it takes a little getting use to, but after you drive it for awhile, you don't even notice.

Martin

 

[Kay86K5]

I drive mine on the street still too. Russell is right, the ride is smoother but you do get more body roll, but to be honest, it still had a lot of body roll with my 4'' TC springs in the front too. I guess you could keep the sway bar on (mine was ditched a long time ago) and just get ORD's sway bar disconnects. Then you could have some better road manners with the sway bar connected, but pull the pins when you want more flex off road. Something to think about. And yes, steering got more play too, but nothing hydro assist can't help out with

Regarding the coil/link set up, yes that is the ends all upgrade with suspension, but on these old chevy's, they are not the easiest to accomplish. If you purchase a kit, they are very expensive, if you try to fab it in yourself, the front gets really tight. It's definatly doable and has been done many many times, just not as easy and cheap as a 52 swap. Lots of things to consider.

 

[Kay86K5]

I drove my Blazer from California to Nebraska on 52's right down the Interstate. This past weekend I drove it almost four hours, went wheeling, flopped it (not due to the springs), and drove it the almost four hours home.

Martin

I read through that whole "California to Nebraska" thread you have.....I love it. I love to see someone with big meats not afraid to drive long distances.

 

[chevysmithz71]

I drive mine on the street still too. Russell is right, the ride is smoother but you do get more body roll, but to be honest, it still had a lot of body roll with my 4'' TC springs in the front too. I guess you could keep the sway bar on (mine was ditched a long time ago) and just get ORD's sway bar disconnects. Then you could have some better road manners with the sway bar connected, but pull the pins when you want more flex off road. Something to think about. And yes, steering got more play too, but nothing hydro assist can't help out with

Regarding the coil/link set up, yes that is the ends all upgrade with suspension, but on these old chevy's, they are not the easiest to accomplish. If you purchase a kit, they are very expensive, if you try to fab it in yourself, the front gets really tight. It's definatly doable and has been done many many times, just not as easy and cheap as a 52 swap. Lots of things to consider.

Just talked to Trevor of WFO yesterday about my SAS wanting to do coilovers on my 01HD and he still swears by a good 56 or 52 swap instead. He has spent gobs of money on his own rigs with coils VS leafs and still loves his leaf rig. He says he beats the hell out of it and no problems. He builds customer rigs with coils and they still aren't that much ride difference all said and done. Sway bar and Trac bar needed.

Links and coilovers need tons of attention to be right and constant care to make sure they stay that way.(straight from Trevor)

 

[wheel400]

try some rad-flow coilovers, their the cats meow..

 

[owenst7]

I've had 52" fronts for years. Truck drives the same on the interstate as any other leaf sprung Chevy I've drove Don't have a sway bar either. Drives a hell of a lot better than any lifted Jeep I've been in.

I don't drive my truck like a corvette.

 

[Big Ray]

for your reading pleasure...

all you will ever need to know about a 52" swap (all the 52" threads in 1 place)

clickity

 

[U-711ipmc]

for your reading pleasure...

all you will ever need to know about a 52" swap (all the 52" threads in 1 place)


Awesome fat guy thanks for that!

I'm going to go w 52s but my front pump seal went out yesterday and so rebuild my 700 takes priority. But i am going to start acquiring parts as I go!

Thanks for all the input.