MtnJIMMY
Registered Member
I'm guessing my front end is gonna be sagging a bit running a 7.5' Western plow. What's best option for stiffening front: add a leaf's? Is there a air-bag set up that works? Any help much appreciated!
CK5
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Installing snow plow??
- Thread starter MtnJIMMY
- Start date
original balzer
1/2 ton status
yea your front end is gunna sag too much just give that plow to me HAHAHA
But seriously on a K5 you may have to do even 2 add a leaf. The local GMC dealer has one with a 7ft myers plow, it basically rides on the bumpstops. But it doesnt leave their lot.
I plan to put a plow on my stealth dually and Im betting even it will need AAL's or more. In fact Im sure of it because if I can come up with a way to afford it Id like to go with a nice V plow.
But seriously on a K5 you may have to do even 2 add a leaf. The local GMC dealer has one with a 7ft myers plow, it basically rides on the bumpstops. But it doesnt leave their lot.
I plan to put a plow on my stealth dually and Im betting even it will need AAL's or more. In fact Im sure of it because if I can come up with a way to afford it Id like to go with a nice V plow.
well few ways to do this.
there is a air bag kit you can get.
or take a extra set of front springs and add them to your stock pack.
get some small lift kit springs in the hd version. http://www.tuffcountry.com/products/leaf-springs.html specs here for lift springs std or hd versions.
but 1 thing you need at any point is balist weight in the back of the rig.
my plow setup is 4" lift hd springs on a 1ton. and old fisher speedcaster plow setup the hd version stuff. my 8ft blade only is 825 lbs
and my 9ft blade is around 925 lbs 
now thats a weight to have on a front end.
but my hd 4" springs hold it good and dont squat much when lifted. but the trade off is a stiffer ride.
pics of 8ft blade with new rubber foil and then 8ft on truck.
there is a air bag kit you can get.
or take a extra set of front springs and add them to your stock pack.
get some small lift kit springs in the hd version. http://www.tuffcountry.com/products/leaf-springs.html specs here for lift springs std or hd versions.
but 1 thing you need at any point is balist weight in the back of the rig.
my plow setup is 4" lift hd springs on a 1ton. and old fisher speedcaster plow setup the hd version stuff. my 8ft blade only is 825 lbs
and my 9ft blade is around 925 lbs now thats a weight to have on a front end.
but my hd 4" springs hold it good and dont squat much when lifted. but the trade off is a stiffer ride.pics of 8ft blade with new rubber foil and then 8ft on truck.
MtnJIMMY
Registered Member
Thanks guys. Looks like Tuffcountry doesn't offer springs for my '89. I'm sure I can find something. I wanna look into the air bag kit first.
Your front springs are the same as any other 73-91 K5.
MtnJIMMY
Registered Member
Eh, not so many Blazers made after the body style changed for the pickups. Especially us with the 89-91 K5's. Often to not confuse people parts are listed as 73-87 and it's assumed we'll figure it out. Not much changed for our trucks...sorta...
MtnJIMMY
Registered Member
So much for not confusing people?
Yep.
Don't you love it when the counter monkey at a parts place insists your truck must be IFS or something since it's after the IFS change over in the pickups?
Don't you love it when the counter monkey at a parts place insists your truck must be IFS or something since it's after the IFS change over in the pickups?
MtnJIMMY
Registered Member
Add-a Leafs are cheaper but I think I'm gonna go with Air lift bags. I'll be able to adjust the ride when the plow is off.
MtnJIMMY
Registered Member
After some research ended up going with a Timbren kit. Just replaces existing
bumpstop so install is easy! Should have it by the 1st of next week. Will give my 2 cents when installed.
bumpstop so install is easy! Should have it by the 1st of next week. Will give my 2 cents when installed.
I'll be watching to see how those work out for you..
I've had a '71 GMC K1500,a '74 K2500 and now have an '82 K2500...the '71 and my current '82 both had just the stock 2 leaf front springs,and a heavy old style Fisher plow .7.5' and though they do squat close to the bump stops,they didn't bottomm out very often ,when they did it wasn't a "smash-bang" like you'd think either..my '82 has a 6.2 deisel too!..(and only has 5 leaves in the rear too,guess its a "light duty" 7000 lb GVW 3/4 ton?)..it rides very nice for a solid axle 4x4,but its not the hot setup for hauling heavy loads,but its an 8' stepside with a tool box,so it cant fit much in the bed anyway...
I usually plow with 500-1000 lbs of sand or other counterweight on the bed,you need
it here,we get a foot of snow often,then it'll rain on top of it,and turns it to cement!..
I've had a '71 GMC K1500,a '74 K2500 and now have an '82 K2500...the '71 and my current '82 both had just the stock 2 leaf front springs,and a heavy old style Fisher plow .7.5' and though they do squat close to the bump stops,they didn't bottomm out very often ,when they did it wasn't a "smash-bang" like you'd think either..my '82 has a 6.2 deisel too!..(and only has 5 leaves in the rear too,guess its a "light duty" 7000 lb GVW 3/4 ton?)..it rides very nice for a solid axle 4x4,but its not the hot setup for hauling heavy loads,but its an 8' stepside with a tool box,so it cant fit much in the bed anyway...
I usually plow with 500-1000 lbs of sand or other counterweight on the bed,you need
it here,we get a foot of snow often,then it'll rain on top of it,and turns it to cement!..
MtnJIMMY
Registered Member
Most of my plowing is on dirt roads so lots of ruts and bouncing around.
MtnJIMMY
Registered Member
I got plow mounted and was surprised that the front only dropped about 5/8 inch, but ride was very mushy.
Installed Timbren's today alittle spendy at $194 shipped. Install was a breeze. Ride is much better, feels solid. I haven't added any weight to the rear yet but suspect ride will only improve with proper ballist.
It's possible with the proper ballist the stock springs wouldn't have felt so soft
but I don't believe it would hold up for long with the weight of the plow.
Installed Timbren's today alittle spendy at $194 shipped. Install was a breeze. Ride is much better, feels solid. I haven't added any weight to the rear yet but suspect ride will only improve with proper ballist.
It's possible with the proper ballist the stock springs wouldn't have felt so soft
but I don't believe it would hold up for long with the weight of the plow.
