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Front Spring options

P

pplblazerdude

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Kingsport, Tennessee
Hey guys,
I am currently in the process of working all the bugs out of my blazer and fixing things I am not happy with. I have finally got the axles and steering to a point I am happy. My new issue is my suspension.

In the rear I am running a shackle flip and I am currently happy with this setup but the front leaves me wishing for more. Currently I have Rough Country 4 inch springs. I know they are not the best but Its what I could afford 8 years ago when I was 17 and starting the mods. They have been beat all to hell and back. They worked but I want something better plus I can afford it now.

So what are my options. Ranging from cheap to not so cheap. I do not want to go to coilovers or anything like that so lets just factor that option out.

Parameters are 4 inch lift and I will use my zero rate still to maintain my 1.5 inch forward or something that will give me 5 inch lift and the relocation. Also I want to get some great flex but not burn springs up left and right. Also I still drive this truck around town and to and from the trails so that is a factor.

So lets hear some options guys. Thanks in advance
 
or Offroad Design, rumor is they make a pretty good custom spring for our trucks.
 
big dan said:
or Offroad Design, rumor is they make a pretty good custom spring for our trucks.
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This is a strong option that I have been looking at but I would also like to hear of some other options. I know thats there has to be more things that people have tried and found to work well.
 
DrkZide said:
Really? Last I checked ORD only had Tuff Country springs. :confused:
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You can't order the springs off their website. The fact they don't advertise this as a product suggests they may not have the capacity or desire to deal with a lot more designs and orders. You get weights and specs for your rig and contact ORD. With a deposit, they design the springs and send the specs to Alcan. Stephen set me up with 10 thin leaves and military wrap. The ride is heads and shoulders above any catalog spring.


Think about it this way: If a spring is advertised as X inches of lift, it has to be stiff. The lift kit companies don't ask which engine you have, winch, bumpers, etc., so everybody gets the same spring. How do they get everybody close to X inches?
 
Blue85 said:
You can't order the springs off their website. The fact they don't advertise this as a product suggests they may not have the capacity or desire to deal with a lot more designs and orders. You get weights and specs for your rig and contact ORD. With a deposit, they design the springs and send the specs to Alcan. Stephen set me up with 10 thin leaves and military wrap. The ride is heads and shoulders above any catalog spring.


Think about it this way: If a spring is advertised as X inches of lift, it has to be stiff. The lift kit companies don't ask which engine you have, winch, bumpers, etc., so everybody gets the same spring. How do they get everybody close to X inches?
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That makes sense. Would they be able to find a spring that still rides well but maintains a good weight rating? I use this truck for everything and I know there seems to be a tradeoff between ride quality and load capacity.
 
DrkZide said:
That makes sense. Would they be able to find a spring that still rides well but maintains a good weight rating? I use this truck for everything and I know there seems to be a tradeoff between ride quality and load capacity.
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Thats one of the major advantages to their springs I think. Good ride and flex while maintaining a decent load capacity and a long life.

Here is a good recent thread discussing the differences between custom springs and something like the 52" spring swap. Has some testimony from people who have ORD springs;
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=291713&highlight=custom+springs

I want some ord springs but for now I am too cheap and still running 52s. Gotta swap them out though as Ive already killed them:whistle:
 
Think about a leaf made of spring steel. Now arch it up and down a few inches. If that leaf is 1/2" thick, how much do the top and bottom surfaces stretch during arch? Now think about a leaf 1/4" thick. So the custom packs have an advantage in durability.

There is a difference between load capacity in terms of the normal weight of the vehicle and in terms of towing/hauling capacity. A heavy vehicle and a light vehicle can both be set up to ride well. The bigger tradeoff comes from wanting to throw a load on without the back end squatting. But there are other solutions for that, like auxilliary springs or air assist.
 
Blue85 said:
You can't order the springs off their website. The fact they don't advertise this as a product suggests they may not have the capacity or desire to deal with a lot more designs and orders. You get weights and specs for your rig and contact ORD. With a deposit, they design the springs and send the specs to Alcan. Stephen set me up with 10 thin leaves and military wrap. The ride is heads and shoulders above any catalog spring.


Think about it this way: If a spring is advertised as X inches of lift, it has to be stiff. The lift kit companies don't ask which engine you have, winch, bumpers, etc., so everybody gets the same spring. How do they get everybody close to X inches?
Click to expand...

On your springs did you go longer then the factory spring length? If so did you have to go to a longer shackle? Also what shocks you running and in what kind of mount? Typical f250 setup or something more custom?
 
Mine are about 49.5 long for better shackle angle and the center pin is 1" forward for better fender clearance. This is a big plus for the custom spring route - you can get the geometry however you want without any extra work. For example, a B-52 kit + a shackle eye hanger kit + a set of new 52's is about the same money as the custom packs.

I don't know if stock 4" shackles will work because I was already at 5.5". This works fine even with the cross-tie just above the spring eye. I am running 12" shocks with the Ford tower, although with these springs I could probably have put the towers higher and run 14" travel.
 
As has been discussed in another thread. ORD specs the spring has an outside company make them and sells them to you.

To have someone as familiar with our trucks as ORD when ordering a spring that is a custom unit to me would be invaluable
 
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