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6" Front Springs

AJs72K5

AJs72K5

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I'm squared away on the rear...DIY shackle flip + 2" springs. But, I'm torn on how to get 6" of lift on the front end :confused:. I've narrowed it down to 2 options: First, 6" springs. Second, 4" springs + 6" shackle and maybe putting in a slightly taller front hanger. The truck is going to be a cruiser 75% of the time, so ride quality is a big factor. Offroad will be light trails and hunting leases. Any opinions?
 
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Depending on how you want the truck to look, you normally want a bit more lift in the rear to make up for the sag. I'd try 4" springs and if it really isn't high enough for you, add a zero-rate to get up to 5". The truck will look level then.
 
I agree, I added a set of zero rates in the rear with that exact same lift you are doing. 6" springs in front though. The zero rates helped to eliminate the sag.
 
I've decided to go with 6" springs on the front for simplicity sake. Next question is which spring? Tuff Country seem to be popular around here and are at a good price. The current ORD sale is a bonus. My buddy at the 4WP counter is pushing Sky Jackers, which are a bit more expensive. A set of front and rear Sky Jackers is almost 50% more $$ than a set of Tuff Countrys. Anyone here running Sky Jackers and what do you think? Thanks!
 
The Tuff Country springs I've bought have all been 3 leaf packs and they ride like a buckboard. I think they have a 6 leaf pack that might be worth checking into. Remember many thin leafs will be softer than a few thick leafs.

I would consider talking to a local spring shop and see if they can build you something that will work. That's what I did, it took a couple of tries but I ended up with a nice comfortable ride.

Next thing is to get some good shocks, the lift kit companies' shocks are usually to stiff for a decent on road ride. Step up to some bilsteins, Edelbrocks or the like, you'll be glad you did.
 
I'm running a 6" lift w/Alcans and the on road ride is excellent and the flex is really good too.

Agree on the shock issue, you'll be glad you did.
 
hey AJ, what springs are you using in the rear?

and, are you using the stock mounts in the front with the 6" springs or something like diy4x's fgb52?
 
matt96shee said:
hey AJ, what springs are you using in the rear?

and, are you using the stock mounts in the front with the 6" springs or something like diy4x's fgb52?
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Will probably go Tuff Country 2" springs in the rear with a DIY4x shackle flip. If it starts to sag later, then add a zero rate.

Fronts will use the stock hanger. 52s weren't really on the project plan.
 
bigblock72 said:
The Tuff Country springs I've bought have all been 3 leaf packs and they ride like a buckboard. I think they have a 6 leaf pack that might be worth checking into. Remember many thin leafs will be softer than a few thick leafs.
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Are you sure those were Tuff Country and not Rough Country?

Two ends of the spectrum as far as ride quality, and unfortunately people confuse the two brands all the time. I had a 3-leaf Rough Country spring initially and it rode horribly. Everything I've heard about Tuff Country (EZ Ride or HD) is that they are soft and ride well. :confused:
 
GM4wheeling said:
whats the cheapest seat of rear 2" that you've found?
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Not necessarily looking for cheapest spring, otherwise Alcans would definately be out. But the 2" Tuff Country's are $350 before the 10% off sale @ ORD right now. Anyone know where they may be cheaper than that?
 
I'm currently running 4" Skyjacker springs front and rear on my '71 Jimmy. They ride a lot better than the beat up Rancho's that were on it when I got it. I don't feel like they are harsh and if I were running a softer spring (Ez-Ride) it would definately compromise safe street/highway handling without sway bars. I'd by them again they're a good quality product.
 
I were running a softer spring (Ez-Ride) it would definately compromise safe street/highway handling without sway bars
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I'm running those without a swaybar. No problems on the highway.

I think the term "easy" and "soft" wouldn't be what I describe them as being for me. Unless you're talking 56" springs or something softer than stock size. If these are the softest springs made, then I'd hate to see what stiffer ones are like. The bed moves about 1" up and down if I jump on the back tailgate. With stiffer springs, you might as well bolt a cement block in there instead to save some money.
 
I have 3 inch tuff country EZ rides and 4" ORD shackle flip. I have added ORD extended shackles, I have taller spring mounts on the axles then stock and it could use a zero rate to be level or a little higher in back than front. Right now it is right level with no gear in it.

I do have a heavy cage and bumpers with tire carrier and a 37 on it.

So I would consider at a minimum 2 inch extra lift in back if you are gonna have heavy rear bumper / tire carrier and a stout cage. My 2 cents.

Dang now I'm broke again!:doah:
 
Wow!! I just got my email quote from the guys at Alcan. MUCH more reasonable than I would have expected for a custom set of front springs. I thought they were gonna cost an arm and a leg, but it was really just a few fingers. :D
 
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Mind you this is fronts only, and I don't plan on doing any hard wheeling with the truck. I told them 80% on road use. $400 total for the fronts...plus shipping, of course. Considering the 2" Tuff Countrys I ordered for the rear were $300 + shipping, I didn't think the Alcans were bad at all.
 
Geesh I need to call them back. They quoted me darn near double that for a similar spring last time I called them, must have been busy season.
 
OK. Here's the latest... Was ordering my 6" fronts from Alcan this morning and asked what a set of 2" rears would be. $225 / side or $450 total. So...I cancelled my order with ORD on the Tuff Countrys and now have a full set of Alcans coming :woot:. Tom was easy to work with on the specs.

On a side note, ORD does do custom springs. Stephen designs, and specs them, but farms the building of them out to Alcan. Not sure if anyone knew that.
 
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