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52" vs stock length front leafs! Help!!

Battlewagon83

Battlewagon83

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Hey everyone. First thread ever so bear with me, recently picked up my 83 blazer. It's a good start to what I would like, but the previous owner did a lot of the work himself and some of the stuff is pretty hack. It currently has a 52" leaf spring swap that makes the drivability on the street nearly impossible (guy who tuned up the carb was too scared to drive it on the street) I would love to drive this on the street on weekends and also take it out to the desert. So I'm wondering if anyone has any tips on making this swap more street friendly? Or should I go back to stock location with standard lift image.jpeg image.jpegimage.jpegimage.jpegimage.jpeg
 
Those springs look a lot longer than 52's. I'd measure them to double check what you have.

What about the front spring hanger set up - keeping it or hack? That will make a big difference in what you do to fix the truck.
 
I bet the hangers have the caster all whacked out which would make it drive poorly.
 
Ok,so you're all right, springs are waaaay longer than 52" just crawling underneath, I got around 63" give or take. As far as the ride is concerned, any slight bump will send it wandering in the lane and there is body roll like nobody's business. not too sure if I need to look into the steering setup as well, but I figured the springs are the best place to start
 
I can't see a 63" factory spring working in that application.

Some 52's may not be long enough to reach the OE rear shackle since the front spring mount is pushed so far forward.
 
You have to go crossover steering to run springs that long.:eek1: With the stock steering you will be all over the road, as the spring moves up and down the wheels turn right and left.
Honestly, I would convert to crossover steering even if going back to stock springs.

Edit: do the steering first, you'll be amazed at how it can change the way it drives.
 
Awesome!! Thanks for all the input everybody! Ive been looking into crossover steering anyways! one of the original stock rear hangers is still there, thinking i could find one for the other side as well and get new front hangers and do lift springs instead!
 
Hold on guys.

BW83 what do you plan to do with the truck? Little offroading but mostly street? Just some trails and camping? If so, pick up some new shackles from ORD and put them in the stock location. If the original front hangers are still there, use them. Run some cheap, decent TC EZ rides at the height that will match the rear. Be happy and keep an eye out for other hackery.

Also, if you are missing the front hangers, pick up some B52's from DIY4x.com and bolt them up. They will work with stock length springs too and beat having to find the originals.

EDIT: looks like the body mount is there but the spring hanger is missing. Go B52's and be done with it. :D
 
Yeah the truck will mainly be used for camping and trails, but I would still like the drivability, on the street. I'll probably end up ordering that stuff up as well as looking into high steer! Thanks for the replys all!
 
High steer on a 10-bolt pretty much requires aftermarket knuckles. Not usually worth it.
 
Ideally, i would be doing the steering, springs and a dana 60 swap, but that's not in the budget right now. i think im going to start with the DIY shackles and hangers and a 52" leaf spring swap. My buddy just got new leafs for his silverado, so hes gonna give those to me when he does the swap! :D Then we'll see where the front end stands as far as drive-ability!
 
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