DIY Suspension

[skink4president]

I'm looking to raise my '73 K5 (350/350) just slightly and hopfully improve the ride quality a lot. Here's what I'm thinking about doing:

-Tuff Country 2 1/2" HD spring kit
-ORD heavy duty rear shackles (the short ones)
-ORD heavy duty front shackles
-ORD greasable bushings all the way around
-Tuff Country gas shocks

Comments? Suggestions?

I've never done any major suspension work but I'm thinking about installing myself. Whats the degree of difficulty? Any special tools?

THANKS!

 

[sled_dog]

sounds like a good setup. Degree of difficulty, fairly high. Only because your bolts/sleeves are sure to be siezed up nice and tight. Special tools, maybe a torch to heat sleeves and bolts or melt them out. Spray EVERY suspension bolt with PB blaster a few times a week or two in advance of the project.

 

[skink4president]

PB blaster . Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I'll start soaking them all a couple weeks out.

 

[sweetk30]

sounds real good. if you want a bit more smoth ride grab a 2.5 flip kit for the rear. need to pop some rivits then if you get that.

 

[78Suburban]

Would a 2.5" shackle flip require a shim on a burb? I'm starting to lean in this direction.... does TC make a 2.5" lift spring, all I have found is 2" and 3"....

 

[sweetk30]

burbs and blazers need 1" extra in the rear to level them out to look good.

 

[Leper]

Shackle flip would be better than springs in read IMO. Harder to do, but better. I doubt you would need a shim because the pinion will be pointing up.

 

[jekbrown]

-Tuff Country 2 1/2" HD spring kit
-ORD heavy duty rear shackles (the short ones)
-ORD heavy duty front shackles
-ORD greasable bushings all the way around
-Tuff Country gas shocks

Comments? Suggestions?

If I was you, I'd skip on the greaseable bushings and get a shackle flip and all the shackles you need from DIY. Cheaper, and plate-style shackles in the rear is a good thing. You can find used 4" lift springs for the front all over the place cheap, I'd just find a used set and clean them up as per the 52" spring swap tech article and call it good.

j