Front suspension, can't make up my mind!

[blowedupmotor87]

I can't make up my mind what springs to run! Here's my options I've thought of:

4" Tuff country EZ rides-but will they hold the weight?
4" Tuff country HD-but will they ride rough?
52's-who's kit and where can I get new 52's (stock height 52's=4" lift???)

PO put TC 3" EZ rides on the Jimmy (rides great with an otherwise stock Jimmy) but, I don't think my ORD crossover steering will fit with fit with a D60 in there and a winch and winch bumper on there, seems like the frontend will get sagged down too much. Basically, I want about 4" or so of lift and a pretty simple straightforward setup (I can't do any fab work).

I've seen all these suspension options discussed separately but, I don't recall seeing a thread comparing them. If anybody has come across such a thread, please feel free to post a link!

Anyways, lemme know what y'all think and if there's a good spring idea I haven't mentioned, let me know! Thanks!

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

If you like the springs you have now I would keep them. You can put in an add a leaf if you want an extra inch.

I run crossover and my truck sits at about stock height so I have to have bumpstops to keep the spring and steering from hitting each other. With 3" of lift I would guess there's a good chance that your steering would clear. If it doesn't you can always use bumpstops.

Don't forget that 52's will move your front axle forward 2" and that they are very soft.

 

[Mudstud]

Not to mention you will be cutting a new hole in the frame with the 52 swap for the hangers. You said you can't do fab work.

 

[mudman83]

Just do 3/4 ton 56's they are not as soft if you leave more leaves in and no need to cut the extra hole in the frame.

However, 56's are still more labor intensive than just good lift springs.

 

[CUCV2]

Could you just put a zero rate in your current springs if the crossover needs some extra clearance? Or maybe even an overload spring on the bottom of the pack. These would seem like the most cost effective methods.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Could you just put a zero rate in your current springs if the crossover needs some extra clearance? Or maybe even an overload spring on the bottom of the pack. These would seem like the most cost effective methods.

The clearance problems with low lift and crossover are between the draglink end and the spring so using a zero rate wouldn't help anything.

An add-a-leaf might help.

Again, I think a 3" lift is probably fine with crossover steering with the axle in the stock location (or moved forward 2" or less). If you move the axle forward more than 2" you could have u-bolt/draglink end clearance issues (depending on how much lift you have).

I had 4" BDS springs in the front of mine and I don't think the (crossover) drag link end ever came close to the spring.

 

[CUCV2]

The clearance problems with low lift and crossover are between the draglink end and the spring so using a zero rate wouldn't help anything.

An add-a-leaf might help.

Again, I think a 3" lift is probably fine with crossover steering with the axle in the stock location (or moved forward 2" or less). If you move the axle forward more than 2" you could have u-bolt/draglink end clearance issues (depending on how much lift you have).

I had 4" BDS springs in the front of mine and I don't think the (crossover) drag link end ever came close to the spring.

Doah! Good call.

 

[blowedupmotor87]

Hmm, maybe I'll try to run the 3" EZ rides that are on it then. IDK, I'd kinda like to go to 52's eventually to get the extra room between the tires and the firewall. I don't think I'll have any trouble with clearance yet (I've got 37's I'm putting on) but, eventually, I think I'd like to put 42's on it (after the 37's are worn out).

Although I'd like to go with 52's eventually, I don't know if my budget will allow that just yet since I'd have to go with a kit of some sort. I wonder if I should just go ahead and do it though? Well, first I guess I should ask what kind of $$$ are usually involved to do 52's? I figured the 4" springs wouldn't be too many $$$ since ORD has them on sale right now.

Add-a-leaf would be cheap but, how would I determine exactly what to add?

Okay, 56's? Sounds interesting, how much lift and forward moving of the axle do those entail? I don't recall having seen any info about that swap, anybody got a good thread for it? Thanks!

There's been good points brought up, keep the info coming y'all! Thanks!