56" on a longbed

[Cricket]

My rear 52" springs are dying. I have a choice to go 52 again or 56. 77 Longbed with 4" lift and shackle flipper and itty bitty 35's.

My question before I commit: Do I really need a 56 in the rear, will they make that much difference. If you've done it in a long wheel base vehicle I'd like to hear your experience, pros and cons.

I don't plan to build this truck to excess, I'm happy with the moderate trails and don't plan to lift it further or add tires bigger than 37". It has to be a dual purpose truck for work and play.

 

[ncgamedog]

if you only plan to wheel mild tails 52"ers should be fine i'm sure they suit your flex needs, the 56" guys would be nice for the work side of it. 56" springs also are more durable when running 14b ff axles they just cope w/ the added weight better.

 

[RootBreaker]

wow I never knew this... 56'ers are the choice?

at inspection the guy asked me to park my truck until I fix it..

this is what he saw...

I called superlift and the guy had me measure it...
I am 54" from eye to eye...
he said that is funny... those are 56" leafs on a truck meant to run 52"

so a tad bit of rivet poppin and hole drilling and I have this...

I simply measured every hole back 2" and viola..... 56" upgrade that I didnt even plan!!!!!!

fyi... for those that dont know I paid someone back in 1997 to lift my truck as nj is strict.. well the guy screwed me over on all kinds of stuff...
i still find stuff that he messed up.. but I think I have them all now....

when he gave it back to me...
12" susp and 3" bl... getting ready for rockwells and 53's (would be 54" boggers today) but NJ changed their lift laws....

 

[Cricket]

Okay, how about the following.

1. Axle position, how far will it move back. I assume I'd need to lengthen the rear driveshaft?

2. What about droop, will limiting straps be neccessary?

3. How about road manners, too flexy, body roll?

All advice is welcome.

 

[muddermilitia]

56s wont move the axle back as long as you mount them with the long side rearward. 56s have an offset center pin. 26" on one side and 30" on the other side. So if you ever wanted to, u could flip the springs around and gain 4" of wheelbase.