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52" vs 56" front

That looks like you'll get a few inches of compression before your rear spring eye hits your frame and stops.... I know that's one of the reasons "everyone" uses 7.25's. I'm sure you've read, but that # was arrived upon by how far back the 52's would go when flattened out.

To the BBC guy: I bet it would all depend on what 56"'s you used, and if you wanted to modify your pack by taking out/adding springs. 3/4 - 1-tons are made to carry crap in the back, so they should carry crap in the front. You might be able to just add another leaf out of some 52's or 56's to make it ride at the height you want.

I can't wait to start my 52" swap, and I have some ORD shackle flips so I can't wait to put on some 56's in the back. :-)
I don't have any spring lift right now, and the compression/sag on my front end leaves a little to be desired... :lol:
 
hawkeye649 said:
That looks like you'll get a few inches of compression before it hits your frame and stops....

The spring eye will rest on the frame but the spring pack continues to compress with 52s and 56s. My 56s work great but now I've got to put bumpstops and limiting straps to keep them in check. Super flexy.
 
Do you have any pics of the 56" springs flexing?

Also, how much more flex will you get out of 56" than 52"?
 
clarkjw24 said:
The spring eye will rest on the frame but the spring pack continues to compress with 52s and 56s. My 56s work great but now I've got to put bumpstops and limiting straps to keep them in check. Super flexy.

Doesn't really sound ideal. Sounds like a lot of stress on the bolts holding your springs/shackles, and on the frame. I would think a bump stop would be a must to stop negative arch as well, I hear that's bad...
 
hawkeye649 said:
Doesn't really sound ideal. Sounds like a lot of stress on the bolts holding your springs/shackles, and on the frame. I would think a bump stop would be a must to stop negative arch as well, I hear that's bad...

Thats why I used 3/8" x 7.25" shackles and larger diameter grade8 bolts. A bit of an upgrade from the stock equipment.

I use to run 6" lift springs and didn't need to limit or control flex.:doah:

Now I've got to limit it, I thought the my 14" travel shocks would be enough to slow the springs down. Not so, I've ripped both of my furd shock towers off the frame. I contribute this to the amount of flex.

I'm going to say that you get the same flex out of 52s and 56s. The only advantage I know is I didn't have to drill the front rear shackle.
 
My reason for going with 56" springs was that I assumed they would be a bit stiffer than 52" springs (especially 1/2 ton 52"s)
 
muddybuddy said:
lets see pics of the the 56's in action :) how do you think they compare to ferd 57's up front? http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138587&highlight=63%27s+swap+spring

that thread has crazy flex with ferd 57s. would you say the 56's are as flexable?

14236jimmy2_022.jpg

Jeezus:eek1: I built some clamps so that my springs dont do that. That is definately NOT good for the main leaf. I don't know, i think i would have more fun limiting the flex and making it through the trail than flexing it like mad and replacing the main leaf 3 times before the end of the trail:dunno:.
 
yeah I don't see those springs lasting very long it looks really cool though. That is some sick flex
 
Yes I beleive so the down side to 63"s or 64"s 9 what ever you want to call them is that if you leave the front spring hanger in the stock location it pushes the rear right to the back of the frame and cause's bumper and fuel tank issues
 
Here is mine on 56s and 64s, home made shackle flip, 2" drop shackles, stock rear front hangers.
5-13-06.JPG
 
Hey Clarkjw24: It doesnt look like you moved the front bracket for the 63's; did you relocate the tank?
Also, have you ever slammed those shackles comin off of ledges?
 
No I haven't had an issue with the shackles yet. I would have to drop straight off a large rock wall to hit them. Here is my tank relocated. Some say you can get away with not moving it, but I had already beat the bottom of the tank in and didn't want to chance it.

gastank.JPG
 
how did you mount the tank? underneath straps?

That is what I think I may do, but I am going to have to re-do my spare mount.
 
Here are a few I ran out and took. I didn't get to crazy because my crossmember is still broken in two pieces and I didn't know how stable the chain I have running through the floor shifter to roll bar was.

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Where do you put your spare? That is the dilemma I am having to work through with the idea of relocating my tank...
 
So far I haven't needed it, good thing since I just found a spare a few months ago. I left it at camp last time, but was riding with a few friends that had 40" spares on their rig. I guess I would have put it in the back seat:doah: . Its going over the tank, when I do the full cage this winter. maybe a flip down style stinger. I'm thinking one that will put the 42 just a few inches from the ground when down and will hug the gas tank when up.
 

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