wage92
1/2 ton status
If i do 52" springs up front do i need to move the rear spring mount? I hear that you need to, in order to improve shackle angle? If i use the diy4x b52 kit do i still need to do that?
CK5
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52s up front
- Thread starter wage92
- Start date
You dont have to, but if your looking for flex, you do. Its easy to do. Diy4x sells a sweet kit.
wage92
1/2 ton status
the B-52 kit? and if flex didnt matter i wouldnt have to? i probably would want to though if im going through all the trouble.
Im just worried about drilling the hole in the right place, is it fairly simple to relocate it?
Im just worried about drilling the hole in the right place, is it fairly simple to relocate it?
Drilling the hole in the right place is not a big deal. Most guys re use one of the old FUSH bolt holes, so just make a template of the old 4 bolt holes and find the center of the large hole, make you marks and drill 
it's easy 
Edit....
To make it a little clearer , once you remove the upper shackle hanger, there will be 4 small holes from the rivets and one large hole where the bushing was.
A lot of guys re use one of the front bolt holes to mount the new hanger further forward, by doing that you can make a template of the bolt pattern and find the center of the large bushing hole. Set you template up using one of the existing holes and mark the location of the 3 new holes and the center of the bushing hole. I generally use a hole saw to do the bushing hole.
Hope that makes sense
it's easy Edit....
To make it a little clearer , once you remove the upper shackle hanger, there will be 4 small holes from the rivets and one large hole where the bushing was.
A lot of guys re use one of the front bolt holes to mount the new hanger further forward, by doing that you can make a template of the bolt pattern and find the center of the large bushing hole. Set you template up using one of the existing holes and mark the location of the 3 new holes and the center of the bushing hole. I generally use a hole saw to do the bushing hole.
Hope that makes sense
wage92
1/2 ton status
ahh yea that would be easy. thanks for the tip
454Sub
5/8 ton status
I have been contemplating this as well. I dont really need the flex all that much, want the ride more than anything, but the extra flex is always a side bonus. And really, you can do it for free if you already have the springs, as you can reuse the mounts and such if you had too.
wage92
1/2 ton status
i probably would reuse the mounts if i did it, is that like a no-no? or is it fine to do?
If you are referring to the upper shackle hanger mounts, then no don't re use them. The bushings are most likely worn out, they only use a 7/16 (IIRC) bolt and overall they are not all that beefy. Aftermarket (DIY4X or ORD) mounts will be set up for a 9/16 bolt, like the rest of the springs and are just a beefier design, and really are not that much $$
Even if you don't go 52's, I would still look at replacing the FUSH.
imo if you guys are after a good ride and not flex, your much better off getting a nice stock length spring like an EZ ride or custom Alcan...
52's are a great budget flex mod, but imo the short lifespan isn't worth it on a street driven rig, not to mention the extra squirrellyness without a swaybar over a 47....
52's are a great budget flex mod, but imo the short lifespan isn't worth it on a street driven rig, not to mention the extra squirrellyness without a swaybar over a 47....
Another option would be running a set of 56" springs. Just relocate the front mount and the rear stays put.
That said, if this rig is driven on the street any, count on installing sway bars and a track bar. I have 52s without either on the front of my truck and it is a real chore to handle on the highway. I have a large amount of lateral movement in the springs which a guy really feels in the steering. Since I am going to the effort of installing a track bar, better shocks and an offroad sway bar, I'm just going to go ahead and install some 14" travel coil overs with a 3 link suspension haha
That said, if this rig is driven on the street any, count on installing sway bars and a track bar. I have 52s without either on the front of my truck and it is a real chore to handle on the highway. I have a large amount of lateral movement in the springs which a guy really feels in the steering. Since I am going to the effort of installing a track bar, better shocks and an offroad sway bar, I'm just going to go ahead and install some 14" travel coil overs with a 3 link suspension haha
I hear this from time to time, I wouldn't count out other possible suspects. I've ridden quite a few 52 equipped rigs including a couple of my own and never once have I seen or felt anything like what you describe.
Mkuhn138
1/2 ton status
One other thing to consider is the vent lines. I've been looking at doing the same and it looks like the proper location for the FUSH is right in the middle of the body mount. The vent lines are bent around the stock location, but tight against the chassis at the body mount. It looks like you either need to cut, flare. and convert them to hose at that point, or pull them off and properly bend them.
What have you guys that have already done this done?
What have you guys that have already done this done?
I moved them on one of mine but don't remember exactly what route I took. I don't believe I took them all the way off.
wage92
1/2 ton status
Okay, i read this: http://coloradok5.com/52inchspringswap.shtml and he seemed to feel like the stock shackle would work. opinions?
I really wish I knew what was going on with my truck then! The front diff is 100% fresh and new with aftermarket outers (did the same with the original stuff too), it behaves the same rolling on a set of 245/75/16s as it does on the 37x12.5x17s so it isn't a problem with the tires. Steering is crossover hi-steer with hydro assist and is all brand new within the last 1000 miles. My shocks are cheap, but they keep the truck from bouncing alright. I am running poly bushings front and rear, and all are in like new condition so there shouldn't be that much movement there.
The biggest problem I have is that the steering is incredibly sloppy at all times (the body pushes to the side before the tires move) and that when at speed the truck will wallow on certain bumps I hit on the highway (side to side, not up and down). If I load 5 really big fat guys into the truck, it gets into a sustained oscillation on the highway (Ask Eric about it sometime
haha!) When the truck is doing it's thing, the wheels stay straight and the body flails around. I am frequently told by others that my truck dog tracks approx 2 - 3" to one side, and that when I jump to the other side of the crown of the road then I dog track the other way 
Any thoughts of what I could check? I'd stick with the leaf springs if I could get them to handle properly!
Just going by your description, I'd be looking at shocks.
"Cheap shocks"
"sustained oscilation"
By "Dog tracking" do you mean that you are constantly in a turn as in the truck goes down the road at an angle?
IMHO with softer springs, the need for quality shocks will be disproportionately more aparent.
"Cheap shocks"
"sustained oscilation"
By "Dog tracking" do you mean that you are constantly in a turn as in the truck goes down the road at an angle?
IMHO with softer springs, the need for quality shocks will be disproportionately more aparent.
