front springs

[71 Blazer]

I'm am in the process of doing a 4" suspension lift on a 71 blazer. I have the back done and when I measured the front vs the back I have a 5.5" difference, but when I looked at my front springs they are not flat or curved down, but curved up about 2". Is this normal or are they just beat. The front springs have only 2 leaves. If they are not at the stock height I need to know so I can compensate when I order my front lift springs.

 

[70jimmy]

They were designed to basically be flat or with very little arch. Mine were like yours before I replaced. They had a negative arch to them. I would definately go with more lift in back than in front. I went with 1 inch extra and now I wish I would have done 2" I may do a zero rate for an extra inch later. It will depend on if my front springs sag any once I start flexing them.

I have 6" Tuff country up front and 4 inch ORD shackle flip with 3 inch tuff country in back all ordered thru ORD, along with heavy duty greaseable shackles and lots of other goodies.

 

[71 Blazer]

that makes sense. So far I have 95 k5 springs and the ord shackel flip and was wondering why I got almost 6" of lift when I was suppossed to get 4" thought I was lucky. I was going to go with skyjacker or superlift. They seem to have the next softest spring rate as tuff country. I have found that tuff country springs are so soft because they are made of thinner metal and don't last as long.

 

[71 Blazer]

What about BDS? I heard they have a soft spring rate. I don't have to put more lift in the front than the back, I already know where the back is I just need the front to be at the same height. If my front is sagging 2" Over stock then I need a 4" lift.

 

[Greg72]

Thinner leaves doesn't mean weaker....

The only thing that will break a spring or cause it to sag is if it is overextended beyond "elastic limit". Like when you stuff the tire so hard that the spring goes inverted without a bumpstop to limit it's travel.

The only way to make a spring soft, is to make it longer, narrower or use thinner leaves. Since the length and width of a sping are usually "non negotiable" dimensions.....using a lot more THIN leaves is the only option.

As an example, my front springs use NINE leaves and flex like mad.

 

[garlicbreath]

As an example, my front springs use NINE leaves and flex like mad.

9 leaves! Who made them, and are they stock length, stock dimensions? Do you remember what they cost? And of course do you have pics? I am very close to doing a 52 swap on the front of my 71 but just don't want to cut up a good blazer.

 

[vtblazer]

9 leaves! Who made them, and are they stock length, stock dimensions? Do you remember what they cost? And of course do you have pics? I am very close to doing a 52 swap on the front of my 71 but just don't want to cut up a good blazer.

Yes, nine separate/thin leaves.
Alcan makes the multi/thin spring paks.