I think mine are three leaves with the overloads, they were basically brand new when I got them.
CK5
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'89 R3500 Crew Cab 2wd to 4wd conversion & beyond
- Thread starter mrk5
- Start date
Started out with 2wd TBI350 with SM465 to current 4wd with 454, 700r4, NP241
Pretty sure I'm going the 64" route. I only need to make sure I can clear the front hanger with the saddle tank. Ultimately I'm going to run a different tank, but for now I still need the saddle tank.
There's even a set for sale locally on craigslist.
There's even a set for sale locally on craigslist.
I get some pretty good movement out of my 5 leaf pack, after having a 3 leaf and a 4 leaf pack I think I will be looking for the 5 leaf all the time.
Be interesting to see if you can clear the saddle tanks on it or not. I am not sure if you can
Be interesting to see if you can clear the saddle tanks on it or not. I am not sure if you can
As soon as someone else gets back to the office, I'm going out back to measure.
In searching about rear springs, I find this is also a popular swap for Toyota guys. I think it's interesting most of the GM people call them 64" springs and the Toyota guys call them 63" springs.
Point of reference, FWIW; I'm running 7 leaves in my rear 56" pack in the General. I remember dropping to 6 leaves but I didn't like the way the rear felt; seemed to squishy. So I went back to 7. Plus overload.
In searching about rear springs, I find this is also a popular swap for Toyota guys. I think it's interesting most of the GM people call them 64" springs and the Toyota guys call them 63" springs.
Point of reference, FWIW; I'm running 7 leaves in my rear 56" pack in the General. I remember dropping to 6 leaves but I didn't like the way the rear felt; seemed to squishy. So I went back to 7. Plus overload.
Guess that answers that question.
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Guess that answers that question.
I just went through the same thing, deciding between a softer 56" pack or doing the extra work to get 64's in there. I chose the lazy route with the 56's, so far I have no regrets.
I'm gonna be sticking with 56's for now. Probably look at 64's when I shorten the wheelbase and move the fuel tank.
Got some new goodies for the front suspension:
Custom spec'd leaf springs courtesy of Offroad Design.
Custom spec'd leaf springs courtesy of Offroad Design.
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This thing going to be ready for September
Here is a stupid thought...anyone ever notch the fuel tank so that the hangers can be moved forward??
I got 64`s that I would like to put on my truck,but got the same problem.
Yeah shortbox tanks but I`m cheap.
I got 64`s that I would like to put on my truck,but got the same problem.
Yeah shortbox tanks but I`m cheap.
You could say phase 1 will be complete. I fully expect we will be rolling in a full long bed crew cab. I plan to have the axles and suspension installed and then either a 465 in 4x4 version or the trans/tcase out of the General. I will have that done by the end of May and then have a summer of wheeling and ironing out bugs before Blazer Bash.
There will be other thing like bumpers and seats I'll get done, but not the stuff that will take the truck out of commission like setting up the short bed. I'll save that for next winter.
I think if you were really determined to do it, it might be more practical to move the tank further forward on the frame. I'm guessing that if the frame on a crew cab is 34" longer than a regular cab pickup and the gas tank is still that close to the spring hanger GM kept the tank the same distance from that hanger as opposed to the same distance from the motor. I'll bet there's room to move the tank 34" further forward.Here is a stupid thought...anyone ever notch the fuel tank so that the hangers can be moved forward??
I got 64`s that I would like to put on my truck,but got the same problem.
Yeah shortbox tanks but I`m cheap.
Good point.
Mines a regular cab... no room to move up for it.
Mines a regular cab... no room to move up for it.
Was thinking some about having my axle shafts clearanced for 50 degree angle at the knuckle. However I wonder if I would notice a 10 degree increase. it's going to be quite a bit of work and some expense to do. I just wonder if it'll be worth it.
chevysmithz71
1/2 ton status
Got some new goodies for the front suspension:
Custom spec'd leaf springs courtesy of Offroad Design.
Springs look real nice. So, Who actually makes them?? I know ORD just slaps a sticker on them , right?
Yes and no. I'm not certain who makes them but Stephen gives them all of the specs for how they are put together. He has 3 or 4 different setups depending on motor size, etc.
They are made by Alcan Springs designed by ORD.
We definitely don't just slap our sticker on someone else's product, there are 100% ours. We do all the spring design work based on information from the customer (and a weight if they have it) and we spec out every aspect of the spring. Alcan then builds them to our spec, they do a great job of building them and they're right down the highway from us.
If you just call Alcan and get a set of springs, you'd end up with something about halfway between an off-the-shelf spring and what we design.
We shoot for the same "frequency", or ride quality, for virtually all of our springs. They ride and flex MUCH better than any off-the-shelf type spring, you end up with similar ride quality/flexibility as a longer front spring (i.e.52"/56", our custom springs use all of a 14" travel shock in articulation which is as much as our coilover conversion) without compromising approach angle, spring life and axle wrap control.
You can bend thin steel much further before it yields (permanently deforms), that's why we build the spring with many very thin leaves. It's also why rear springs up front don't last, they're usually done with a few thicker leaves and those can't flex very far before the steel gives and the spring permanently bends/breaks.
Anyway, build is looking good Scott and you'll love those front springs!
chevysmithz71
1/2 ton status
with your setup, they stay at the 48" length right?
the whole idea is youre able to get 52" amount of travel but stay with the shorter/easier to package spring?
They bolt in to the stock mounts, yes.
And yes, they bolt right in without buying/installing new hangers, losing the approach angle etc.
