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Front Leaf Spring Questions (factory springs K5 Blazer)...

PWagon

PWagon

1/2 ton status
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I have original '86 K5 Blazer leaf springs front and back on my truck. After my 5.3 Vortec install, I now have very little clearance between my front diff and the oil pan. I'm affraid I'm gonna bust it open when I start flexing and moving the suspension around while offroading. I do not want to install a lift kit (I like my factory height or close to it). I've already replaced the oil pan with the shortest one I can find. So, this leaves me with few options. My best guess is that I need to maybe install a 1/2 inch spacer between the axle and leaf springs or maybe add a leaf spring. Replacing the entire leaf springs is really costly, so maybe just adding a single to each side would be more affordable. Thoughts? I really only need an additional 1/2 to 1 inch of clearance between my axle and oil pan.

Way back in the day I used to have some air-up-yourself shocks that you could air up with an air compressor and the shock would raise the height of the vehicle. Kinda thinking about doing that too. Any ideas or suggestions?

oilpan.jpg
 
1" zero-rate is what you need. Look them up at DIY4X or Offroad Design.
 
I'm guessing that 28 year old springs have lost some of there springyness. Would adding a single spring (leaf) add back some softness to the ride in addition to adding lift? I'm on the fence about just adding the 1 inch block and maybe the HD Shackles (http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/hdshackles.htm), or just adding a single leaf spring. Ideas?
 
Do you have the two pack, or three pack of front springs?

Martin
 
As things are now, this truck takes bumps like a little-red-wagon loaded with a stack of old bricks. :eek: It's either at riding height or it feels like it's bottoming out.
 
ok. little info

stock front springs are tapered leaf and can only be added to CORRECTLY with more tapered leafs . the design of a tapered leaf is like a progressive spring . and using a reg rear leaf or off the shelf add-a-leaf makes them not work correctly .

if you are to the point of add-a-leafs / zero rates / easy inch / worn out springs . . . . just buy a set of 2" lift springs and be done with it . should ride better also than old worn out factory . :thumb:

lookin at your build thread I think 2" lift make it a lot better . as I like a little fender well gap my self over filled in with tires.
 
I just realized that I have another option here. I could add a small spacer between the engine mounts and the engine (thereby lifting the oilpan up).
 
what engine mount kit and mounts them selfs are you running ?

if stock oem rubber mounts toss them in the trash . get energy suspension replacments or a nice kit from ord or diy4x .
 
No, I ordered some from Dirty Dingo. They are designed to mate up the '03 5.3 liter Vortec to my '86 frame.

Hell, I'm leaning toward just replacing the worn out springs. I don't really have the money, but if I only have to replace them every quarter century then I'm getting my money's worth out of 'em.
 
I'd recommend replacing them with a different factory three pack.

Martin
 
PWagon said:
No, I ordered some from Dirty Dingo. They are designed to mate up the '03 5.3 liter Vortec to my '86 frame.
Click to expand...

those bolt to the stock frame side rubber mounts . these mounts suck and wear fast and let the engine drop a bit in the frame . that's why I said if you still have stock truck side mounts on frame get energy suspension replacement units . these fill up the clamb shell and don't sag .

look up in there and see if the rubbers are bottomed out in the clamb shell . if so fallow my info for replacement mounts.
 
82355 said:
I'd recommend replacing them with a different factory three pack.

Martin
Click to expand...

this only gets you few 100 pounds extra capacity over stock . and even then there still a neg arch leaf spring pack or flat at best.

buy pair of these stock replacments and you are already at pair of 2" lift springs basicly .
 
Whatever you do,dont try using air shocks up front...while it will lift it up some,if one fails or the lines happen to let one deflate suddenly,it can make the truck drop to one side and possibly cause an accident..the shock mounts or bolts can also fail,or tear out of the frame,many GM trucks did that even with stock shocks..

I had a co-worker at a parts store who had a '73 IHC 4x4 pickup with a plow--the front springs were weak and it sagged badly with the blade raised,it was only about 4" off the pavement when it was raised,and it would bottom out on the road going over bumps....wanting a cheap fix,he looked up some air shocks by comparing the mounting codes and found some with 1/2" "eyes" on each end with the extended & collapsed lengths close enough--he put them on and bragged they worked "great",to hold the truck up with the heavy plow raised...I told him I didn't think it was a good idea,he had to prove me wrong though..

But after a few weeks one of the air lines decided to touch the front exhaust pipe and melt,and when the right side of the truck dropped suddenly,the plow caught the pavement and caused the truck to slide sideways--he was lucky it didn't roll or hit an oncoming car...he ended up buying a pair of load leveler shocks ,those helped,but he still was not satisfied--so he finally bought some lift kit front springs..
 
Welp, I've decided to just bite the bullit and order brand new springs. I found some made right here in the U.S.A. :waytogo: They are made in Detroit of all places (https://www.eatondetroitspring.com/ordering/parts-lookup/). They say they make them using factory blueprints, and they won't sag like the Chinese made springs do only a few months into use.

I also saw a 1/2 elongated heavy duty shackle kit that's available from OffRoad Designs (http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/hdshackles.htm). They say that in '88 Chevy started making all their front shackles using this 1/2 longer design. They say it prevented the suspension from bottoming out and hitting the frame. I think between ordering and installing new springs and slightly longer HD shackle kit, I should be okay on clearance. I'll update you guys with before and after pics (and measurements) after I'm done. Guess I need to find some stuff to sell on eBay and saving some money first.

 
New stock height springs?

If you have the means at least go with a 2 inch lift.
 
I totally hear what you are saying... A 2" lift would be awesome.com. However, I've been done that road before, and it's a slippery slope. First off, I only have about 2" inches of clearance into my carport now (old low ceiling carport), and a lift would limit me on where I park at home. Also, before you know it you need a dropped pitman arm because the geometry has changed. You'll also see other steering parts rubbing due to geometry changes. Before you know it, you need to extend the brake lines, shocks, and drive shafts to get full articulation over rough terrain. Plus I'll have to listen to my wife b*tch about how tall the truck is with a lift kit. It's just makes my life easier to keep it at stock height.
 
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