Help/Opinions on front suspension with 52" springs

[Fancy]

So i have a 90 k5 that i did the front 52" spring swap on and have been happy with its performance thus far. However the front sits to high for my liking (about 12" from tire to fender approximatly comparable to 5" lift i think) and im at a loss of what to do and wanted to see what others thought.

The springs i used where from the rear of my truck and have indeed help the ride quality however they aren't nearly as mushy as people made them out to be but it may have something to do with my ****ty pro comp shocks.

Anyway i want to bring it down a few inches and my options i was thinking are:

Remove a leaf: this would be ideal and cost effective but im afraid the tuck might be to much for it or it become way to sloppy driving. I have seen threads where people have done this but not with 90 rear leafs as there is only 4 leaves although all other packs i have had under there only had 3.

Find another set of 52" springs: this seams like the next best thing cost wise and i could remove leaves if need be but im not sure what packs i should be looking for. like what make and model and an idea of number of leaves to run for low ride height. So any information on this might help.

Run 56" Spring: Not sure if these produce less lift but i heard they are another good option and again not sure what make an model to pull springs from for the lest lift.

New Springs: Pony up the dough and by custom springs not really an option for me but if its the only way then so be it.

Less worried about being lower than i want as i can zero rate and increase shackle length. i have also included picture so you can see what im working with. Opinions/feedback would be appreciated thanks

 

[K85 Octane]

Why do you want to bring it down? Rather not just lift the rear a little, or would that be a few too many inches?

Looks good with that tire combo, from what I can see. I don't think you can get the amount of drop you are looking for by removing leafs. You can try the 3rd one down, but you're only looking at maybe an inch. It will get soft on you though. From everything I've read, going 52" leaves nets you 4-5" of lift right off the bat.

You got any flex pics? Seems where you are is right with those tires. Maybe only an inch of clearance before the tire is into your inner well at full stuff.

 

[Fancy]

Really you think if i pull a leaf i may only get an inch or two? If that's the case i might try it just to see but i was convinced it would drop way to much. I personally like the look of a tighter gap between wheel and fender plus i street drive this thing a lot (more than i want) and the height is not really my thing anymore. I guess i feel 10-12" is a lot of fender gap and i love where the back did sit but i have it sort of up to compensate for the front now.

unfortunately no flex pics yet with this set up (bad at remembering camera and i have been to busy to wheel as much as i used too) However i am not to impressed with the flex drop is ok but stuff not so much. another reason i thought leave removal may help????

Also on another note.... Love you work Octane!!! I follow your thread alot and as you may see in my pics at my y-pipe i may have borrowed a few of your ideas lol

Just wanted to add the picture makes the gap look smaller than it really is actually ill try to get better pics. I can fit between the tire and fender to work on my brakes just to give you an idea lol

 

[blazinzuk]

Okay so my answer may be construed as highly technical and out of the reach of some.

Go wheelin!!!!!! As much as possible pretty soon you will start to lose front lift. Take every opportunity to flex out as much as possible. Only park on other buddies tires. Build and RTI ramp and hire a boy scout troop to drive up and down it.

Seriously though, after a while they will lose some arch. That will get the front end down. Of course shortly after your springs will become multi arched and then you will start to lose lift at an alarming rate.

 

[Kay86K5]

Okay so my answer may be construed as highly technical and out of the reach of some.

Go wheelin!!!!!! As much as possible pretty soon you will start to lose front lift. Take every opportunity to flex out as much as possible. Only park on other buddies tires. Build and RTI ramp and hire a boy scout troop to drive up and down it.

Seriously though, after a while they will lose some arch. That will get the front end down. Of course shortly after your springs will become multi arched and then you will start to lose lift at an alarming rate.

This is very true. I have noticed after wheeling a couple times that my fronts have gotten a little more flat than when I first put them on (which was ok with me cause I was a little nose high to start after the swap).

My other suggestion....get bigger tires

 

[K85 Octane]

Wow, thanks Brian. I saw the header wrap but wasn't sure, figured I wouldn't comment I haven't gotten around to replacing my wrap since fixing oil pan clearance issues.

 

[Fancy]

thanks for the responses guys! It really helps I think i will start by just flexing them out a lot more and see what it nets me after awhile cuz its the cheapest and easiest solution plus not to mention fun. then maybe leaf removal.

Kay86K5: I knew someone was going to say it lol! Ya id like to go back to TSL's in my future but plenty of other things to work on first and 16.5 are hard to find.

 

[Kay86K5]

thanks for the responses guys! It really helps I think i will start by just flexing them out a lot more and see what it nets me after awhile cuz its the cheapest and easiest solution plus not to mention fun. then maybe leaf removal.

Kay86K5: I knew someone was going to say it lol! Ya id like to go back to TSL's in my future but plenty of other things to work on first and 16.5 are hard to find.

I hear ya on that. I just had to say it . Truck looks good though man. Just go have fun for a while and see how everything plays out. Oh, and post pics of the fun too

 

[ccj8008]

Pony Up

6 years ago, I paid less than $500 for a set of custon Alcan 52" springs for the front of my Blazer. I wanted to push the axle forward 2"-3" but was concerned that this would push the pinion down. No problem, Alcan builds assymmetrical springs- the shape on one side of the center pin is not a mirror image of the other side. Getting the tires forward made more room for them and slightly improved my approach angle.

 

[Kay86K5]

6 years ago, I paid less than $500 for a set of custon Alcan 52" springs for the front of my Blazer. I wanted to push the axle forward 2"-3" but was concerned that this would push the pinion down. No problem, Alcan builds assymmetrical springs- the shape on one side of the center pin is not a mirror image of the other side. Getting the tires forward made more room for them and slightly improved my approach angle.

Thats not really what he was asking. He was more worried about lift and how the tire fits inside the fenders, not caster angle.

But I have heard those Alcan springs are bad a$$. And I didn't know they offered a spring like that...good to know

 

[Blue85]

When you're talking about "fender gap" remember that the front wheel opening is cut about 2" higher than the rear. So if you set the gaps the same, the body will be leaning forward.

 

[Fancy]

ccj8008: My first set of spring where actually Alcans!!! I loved them and got all four done for 800 i think?? But that was back when i had 44" tires and 8" lift. I would use them again in a heart beat if need be but i would much rather save the money for more important projects and work with what i have if i can.

Blue85: i actually did not know this???? I have them set close to even now and i feel as if my truck leans backwards????? I would actually prefer it level or slightly forward tho. ill have to find some even ground and check this out thanks.

 

[COCHEV]

I don't have any good advice on this that hasn't already been said. Just wanted to say that those are some of the cleanest looking 52s i've seen. They look new . Did you take em apart and paint them first?

 

[Fancy]

COCHEV: No they are my rear leaf springs and i have 63's out back now. you cant pull them apart with out cutting the guides or what ever those things are call the hold the pack aligned or i would have already tried removing a leaf. However i did sand blast the outside of them and paint them.

 

[mac907]

Wait a sec, I could have used my rear 52" springs up front and gotten 4+" of lift instead of dumping over $600 on a new set of front springs? (shipping to Alaska is expensive as hell)

Edit: This is in reference to a 78' K-5.

 

[Kay86K5]

Wait a sec, I could have used my rear 52" springs up front and gotten 4+" of lift instead of dumping over $600 on a new set of front springs? (shipping to Alaska is expensive as hell)

Edit: This is in reference to a 78' K-5.

The 52 spring swap is easily one of the most talked about topics in the full size chevy wheeling world. People have been doing this for years. Do some research and you will be amazed what you can find. Google, ck5, and pirate4x4 will be your friend

 

[mac907]

I've been reading a lot on here over the last couple months, but somehow avoided the 52" topic until now. I'm definitely saving my stock rear springs now that I see potential for their use in the future.

 

[skullaero]

Another great post. Looking for some 52s now.

 

[Fancy]

So just to give an update, even though I know its been forever. I had fun flexing out my springs and wheeling it and just wasn't impressed with my setup. I finally got around to pulling a leaf out of the front 52" springs. I removed the bottom leaf and it lowered my truck 2" approximate. Depending on where the weight is I was about a 9-10" tire to fender gap and now i'm about a 7-8" tire to fender gap. The ride is definitely softer and I like it a lot more. There is quite a bit of body roll but I also don't have a swaybar on there yet. Over all I am happy and will try to remember to post some pictures.

 

[Blue85]

There is quite a bit of body roll but I also don't have a swaybar on there yet.

Pics show crossover steering, which is not compatible with stock-style swaybar. There are 1 or 2 threads about getting an aftermarket torsion style bar on with crossover, but it's more involved and expensive.