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56" Spring question - source?

djohnsn

1/2 ton status
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Feb 17, 2000
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Location
Plano, Texas
I am researching using 56" springs for the rear with a shackle flip but have not been able to determine the exact source for the 56" springs. All I have found by searching is that they are from 88-98 Chevy pickups. What I still need to know is: 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton?, 2wd or 4wd?, 4-leaf or 5-leaf?
 
I pulled my stock 56's from a 84 chev one ton

If you got o www.4wpw.com and look at ifts, it shows you can order them for many years... you just specify 52 or 56 - Based on that, just look for one ton's in the yard's from any year... and bring a tape measure!

My spring pack had 7 leaf's, and 2 overloads, top and bottom.
 
I am researching using 56" springs for the rear with a shackle flip but have not been able to determine the exact source for the 56" springs. All I have found by searching is that they are from 88-98 Chevy pickups.

63" springs are what come under 88-98 GM trucks.

56" springs came on a few 3/4 or 1 ton GM trucks before then.

Most GM trucks before 88 had 52" rear springs, which have been found to be well suited to using on the front of any truck to gain about 4" of lift & a lot of wheel travel.

Ford trucks also had 56" rear leaves, but I believe that they are typically 3" wide vs. 2 1/2" for the GM springs.

What I still need to know is: 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton?, 2wd or 4wd?, 4-leaf or 5 leaf?

Well that depends on what you want to be able to do with it......

Once you figure out what you are looking for.

Later,
Buddy
 
I am researching using 56" springs for the rear with a shackle flip but have not been able to determine the exact source for the 56" springs. All I have found by searching is that they are from 88-98 Chevy pickups. What I still need to know is: 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton?, 2wd or 4wd?, 4-leaf or 5-leaf?

Hey Darrin

I've got a set I'll sell ya.
I'll even deliver them when I bring you your rear spring mounts for that frame.
 
I am not ready to buy - just trying to research different options. (I was planning on using a factory spring hanger with 4" lift springs that I already have, but wanted to see if there was a better option)

ORD has this statement on their website:

"Looking for a nice flexible rear suspension? Try our 6" SuperShackles with a '88-98 GM truck spring and our 2.5" shackle flip kit. This will net you a 4" lift with great suspension action and control. This system was the choice of Petersen's 4Wheel and Offroad for the UAK10"

This is why I thought that the 88-98 trucks were the source of the 56" springs.
 
I am not ready to buy - just trying to research different options. (I was planning on using a factory spring hanger with 4" lift springs that I already have, but wanted to see if there was a better option)

ORD has this statement on their website:

"Looking for a nice flexible rear suspension? Try our 6" SuperShackles with a '88-98 GM truck spring and our 2.5" shackle flip kit. This will net you a 4" lift with great suspension action and control. This system was the choice of Petersen's 4Wheel and Offroad for the UAK10"

This is why I thought that the 88-98 trucks were the source of the 56" springs.

this will require you to move the frt mount farther forward and rear mount back . so best have more than a blazer for frame length. or flatbed if not moving hangers as your rear axle will move back a bit and require a few mods to move all the stuff.
 
There is a lot of information to wade through to find out what you want to know. I've been working on my blazer for a good while now. I have a clear idea of my direction, I just need the time & money to do what I want. Mostly the money. I can make the time.

this will require you to move the frt mount farther
forward and rear mount back . so best have more than a blazer for frame length. or flatbed if not moving hangers as your rear axle will move back a bit and require a few mods to move all the stuff.

This is not to say that it's not possible, & it works beautifully!!
Just look at these guys.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/featuredvehicles/129_0802_1986_chevy_blazer/index.html

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195380&highlight=spring+swap - this guy swapped on a truck cab, but still a great thread. He also swapped in 52" front springs.

this one's on a 72, but still a great thread for reference - http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174808&highlight=spring+swap

ORD's blazer - scroll all the way down to see it in my favorite form -
http://www.offroaddesign.com/customrigs/TopTruck K5.htm

Also, check here for the 52" front spring conversion -

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213085&highlight=spring+swap

HTH,
Buddy
 
From what I've seen, most, if not all 2wd suburbans in mid-80s to early 90s have 56" rear springs. Their 4wd counterparts seem to get 52". I'm not sure why that is, but this is 1/2 and 3/4 tons. I happen to have 3 2wd subs in the yard: '84 3/4ton , '87 1/2 ton, '88 1/2 ton and all have 56" rears. Thought it might help if you were looking to find in the junkyard.
 
I noticed that on those 2wd burbs that there are 2 different 56's.. an 8 leaf rated at like 1900lbs and a 9 leaf at 2000 something..

I'm thinking of the 8 leaf for myself...
 
Both of my 1/2 tons came with 5 leaves plus overload. My 3/4 came with 6 plus 1. If these 8's and 9's are as thick as the leaves in mine they're going to be really stiff.
 
My 56's have 8 plus the overload, but they're from an '83 c30. The most I remember seeing on a burb is 7, usually 6 though.
 

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