88-91 2-3/4" front spring width

[jimmy88]

It appears that the 88-91 GM 4x4s with front solid axles got 2-3/4" wide front springs (K5s, Subs & 1 tons). Is that correct information? I know my 89 Chevy K5 and 88 GMC K5 and 88 Sub all were. Are all the 87 and older solid axle GM 4x4 front springs 2-1/2" wide? Any other stock GM front leaf spring widths?

Doesn’t seem to make sense. Why would GM switch to a wider spring on vehicles they knew would be out of production in 3 years, especially when they were going to phase out front leaf springs altogether? Changing the springs, spring hangers, ubolt/sway bar plates, etc had to cost some bucks. When did GM start using the “Military Wrap” on the front spring eye and is this when/why they switched to the wider 2-3/4" spring?

 

[jimmy88]

Bueller? Bueller?

Anyone?

Can anyone with 87 to 91 trucks check their front spring width to see if they are 2-3/4" or 2-1/2"?

 

[JDNobodi]

I believe your problem is you're trying to measure the springs by the shackles. AFIK, all the years had wider front springs. It just the aftermarket lift springs where narrower and the width difference was made up by thicker bushings. I not sure but I think the factory front springs taper down to the middle.
All the factory front springs had the Military Wrap. Hardly any of the aftermarket springs had Military Wrap.

The one difference I know about is the rear of the factory springs had a bigger bushing because GM upped the size for the spring shackle bolt. The shackles are longer also.
However the rear shackle bushing in the frame stayed the same.
You can put lift springs for a 73/87 in 88/91 but you either have change the shackles or put a different sleeve the bushings. I think superlift sells the sleeves for their kits.

 

[jimmy88]

Thanks for the reply. Not sure what you mean when you say measuring the shackle. The stock front springs on my 88s and 89 measure 2-3/4" across the spring eye. The main leaf is 2-3/4" wide end to end. The rear springs on the truck measures 2-1/2" wide at the spring eye. You are right on the money about the aftermarket springs. I had front lift springs that were only 2-1/2" wide and, as you mentioned, the spring eye bushing shoulders were extra wide to make up for the difference in spring width.

As far as the military wrap, I can’t be sure since it was so long ago that I owned it, but I do not think the 71 had the wrap. I thought it had that stop on the frame right behind the drivers side spring eye to limit rearward movement of the spring if the main leaf were to break.

On another 4x4 site the local Chevy folk insist that ALL stock springs, both front and back, are 2-1/2" wide and didn’t take kindly to my pointing out their error .
I haven’t come across any chart or list that clearly shows which years had which widths from the factory. It has me curious what year GM started using the 2-3/4" wide front springs. Figured CK5 would be the best place to get an answer even if we have to measure some trucks to clear it up.

 

[Adventurous 4x4]

With all the GM's I owned I never measured the spring width but I do remember doing a lift and thinking the front springs were wider then the lift springs. I remember measuring the bushing sleeve and it was the same size so I didn't think much of it. Anyhow, miss you Jim and hopefully someday we can get together and wheel again. You really need to come and check out Rausch Creek.

 

[JDNobodi]

Not sure what you mean when you say measuring the shackle

Total width across the bushing.

 

[4X4HIGH]

My 89 blazer was bone stock when I got it and the front springs were 2 1/2" wide.

 

[USSkoval]

Just went out and did some measuring. The stock springs still on my '77 Blazer are 3 inches wide at the front and taper to 2 3/4 at the spring pad. The stock springs that came from my '88 Suburban (with the larger rear bolt and longer shackle) measure at 2 3/4 the entire length. I can get pictures tomorrow if you need proof for the other guys

 

[jimmy88]

Thanks. I still have both 88s and posted some pictures of the stock burb spring. The Jimmy is in the process of getting 52s up front and it needs the spacers to make up for the narrower bushing width on the rear springs.

So where are we now? 4x4high had 2-1/2" springs stock on an 89. Was the spring width tied to some other option, like the quad shock option or something? (both my 88s have the quad shock)

Are all the front spring hangers the same inside width and GM used different spring bushings make up the difference? So confusing, lol.


Hey Wayne, can't wait to get back to RC and wheel with you guys again. Good times with good folks for sure!

 

[USSkoval]

My suburban didn't have the quad shock option. Or maybe in those years, the Blazer got a narrower spring?

 

[JDNobodi]

Thanks. I still have both 88s and posted some pictures of the stock burb spring. The Jimmy is in the process of getting 52s up front and it needs the spacers to make up for the narrower bushing width on the rear springs.

You can't use aftermarket bushings for an aftermarket lift kit in factory rear springs? The only set of springs that would be problem would be the 88/91 springs since those have a bigger "eye" at the end of the springs.

Edit--NEVERMIND, I forgot you have a set of 88 springs.