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Need a brave-heart to make "Master-Statement" on the Ultimate Suspension for BLAZERs!

GMCbigblock

GMCbigblock

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Gent's, I read many old articles on the best suspension combo for many cars in this great Site as well couple of others. However, I haven't seen a comprehensive/solid Thread recommending the best suspension combo for Blazers (1976 till 1991) in consideration of the latest market innovative technology and field-proven products. *

Now, my Truck is 1981, has 8.1 Liter Engine, Manual Trans (5-speed NVG 4500), stock front spring (3 leafs) taken from 4X4 1991 Suburban 2500 with single HD Gabriel Shock. The Rear has stock spring taken with it's shackle from 1991 Blazer with PRO COMP MX-6 MONOTUBE ADJUSTABLE SHOCK ABSORBER (good for 3" lift) fitted over 2.5 inch lift-block. *This current combo gives about 3 inch of total lift. On moderate trail and uneven road, the Truck seems to have irregular pattern of shock-dampening and tends to tail- wag with noted wheel hopping and lose of good road control !!*

The BIG QUESTION, how can I move up and achieve upgraded level for top-class handling of extreme sand dunes and harsh sand trails of the famous "Empty Quarter".*

I wait to hear the undisputed statement(s) about what's best recommended by such an esteemed CK-5 Community, which I and others can count on. *

I was greatly helped out by many good Members in my Thread (Need urgent help (2004 EFI 8.1 Ltr Engine in Blazer 1981), and am feelin confident to repeat such an experience. As such, am eagerly waiting for receiving similar level of contribution and valuable experience sharing!!*
 
Forgot to add, the current fitted tires are 35 on 15X10, and I don't want the overall total lift of the Truck to be more than 3" (and am considering to trim the fenders).
Thanks in advance!
 
GMCbigblock said:
I haven't seen a comprehensive/solid Thread recommending the best suspension combo for Blazers (1976 till 1991) in consideration of the latest market innovative technology and field-proven products.
Click to expand...


Is this really what you mean to say? :dunno:

It's hard to understand from your post if you are looking to make small improvements to your existing suspsension to make it smoother on bumpy roads, or if you actually want to replace everything with state-of-the-art suspension.

You aren't going to find a high-end "package" just sitting on a vendors shelf somewhere. It would be far too expensive to develop that package, and almost nobody could afford to buy it anyway....

The guys building innovative and high-tech stuff are going to be smaller specialty shops, and almost all of it will be 100% custom-designed for a specific customer truck. If you can find a shop that has already built a truck similar to what you want, they might be able to put together a set of parts that has been proven to work, but I'm sure it's still going to require a substantial amount of custom work to get it installed and working properly.


:usaflag:
 
If you want a great ride cheap with good flex get a set of custom built ALCAN leafs paired with bilstein shocks. (I have a 3" lift set on my burb and couldnt be happier, no bilsteins yet though:confused:) if you want a prerunner style truck then get the wallet out (hope its thick) and do the links and coilovers as stated above:thumb:
 
shady said:
If you want a great ride cheap with good flex get a set of custom built ALCAN leafs paired with bilstein shocks. (I have a 3" lift set on my burb and couldnt be happier, no bilsteins yet though:confused:) if you want a prerunner style truck then get the wallet out (hope its thick) and do the links and coilovers as stated above:thumb:
Click to expand...


good point on the Alcan springs, i've always kinda wanted a set of them for my sub.
 
If you are looking to go high speed through the desert then this is what you will need to do to your K5...

http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/FrontCoiloverConversion.htm

It's known as a "4 link and coil over suspension".

The original leaf spring front suspension can not handle high speed desert running like a 4 link can. I do not know if anyone makes a link suspension for the rear. You could probably be OK with the rear leaf springs. I don't know what type of rear suspension set up you have. Is it just lift springs or have you done a rear shackle flip to gain the rear lift?

edit: others have added replys while I was typing...
 
Guys, you are a real reference and am proud to be part of this Site.

I couldn't make the post clear any further as the intention is to get the best experience of every individual, and am glad to note that currently this is the case. definitely, going to custom fab shops is not an option, and the cost is the not the issue. Mainly, the reason is that the local Vehicle Registration Dept. will reject any car with welding on the frame...i.e. welding is forbidden and will render the truck not-roadworthy. Although the 4 link syetup looks great and the closet to what am looking for, given the reason above, am more inclined towards improving the current setup. So, can any one share with me what to be ordered by name and part # (for springs & shocks front and rear, including kits that help imrpoving wheel hopping and axle warapping etc but keeping total lift not more than 3 inches) so that I proceed. Am not much familiar with the the order system as what to pick and any help will be great.

Brian, I quote "The Rear has stock spring taken with it's shackle from 1991 Blazer with PRO COMP MX-6 MONOTUBE ADJUSTABLE SHOCK ABSORBER (good for 3" lift) fitted over 2.5 inch lift-block". so, hoping this info will help.

Am waiting for more info and clarifications and I highly appreciating the experience sharing.
 
Call http://www.alcanspring.com/. They ask everything about your vehicle, use, lift wants, etc. then build you a custom set of springs for not much more than a set of tuff countries. Then get all your other stuff from ORD. Actually ORD sells Alcans too if you call them, almost forgot that. I did a full set up like the one I explained on my 88 burb. The build is in my sig if you want to see flex pics and install stuff. My whole setup was $1500. I would go with the bilstein shocks if I did it again though.:thumb:
 
The kit made by (Offroad Ltd) as per the link posted by GNEEterprises looks potential and I will test and assess this option, besides that mentioned by Shady (which looks pretty worth consideration).

As well, I wont miss the opportunity to pay visit to the link provided (on ALCAN and the Project), as well as like to hear more views on this Thread if the apetite and interest of the other Members is still up!

Due to zone time difference (it's now Sat. after 1 AM where I live), I will quit now and revisit the Forum later, take care guys).
 
Links and coilovers in the front and high travel leaves in the rear (i.e. 64" long leaves, either custom springs or rear springs from an 88 and newer Chevy) is what it sounds like you need.

The only piece of our coilover kit that gets welded to the frame is the panhard bar bracket and that is really easy to change to a bolt on piece. It's probably even something we could do before we ship the part out.
 
38377k5 said:
Links and coilovers in the front and high travel leaves in the rear (i.e. 64" long leaves, either custom springs or rear springs from an 88 and newer Chevy) is what it sounds like you need.

The only piece of our coilover kit that gets welded to the frame is the panhard bar bracket and that is really easy to change to a bolt on piece. It's probably even something we could do before we ship the part out.
Click to expand...

I just bought a full running 4X4 "89 Burb" (with TBI 5.7 engine and Manual 3-spd gear). I think I'll get its Rear springs bolted in the place of the exiting ones. But what shocks will fit? Do I need to keep the 2.5 inch lift-block?

As well, to help my review and consideration of the 'full-bolt on Kit' (coilover), is the part # provided in above links is complete for the application you are talking about (shipping cost to destination "Abu Dhabi/United Arab Emirates"?).
The other scenario, in case of leaving the suspension as is, what is the best shocks in the market (front and rear)?

Thanks for your attention and assistance!
 
I don't know if this helps, but I have used the same shocks you have on many of the pro comp lift kits, very popular around here. Anyways, I don't like the shocks. I think they are just a cheap adjustable with valving nowhere near what a K5 needs, and obviously the needs Of a K5 change from truck to truck.
However the 9100 bilstens seem to be real good out of the box for light, to heavy ended balazers
 
You are absolutely right and I didn't like those shocks either but heard about em in forums, so I made the purchase. Now I hope to reverse it. Belstins are popular here too and seem to be my next step (9100). This is the plan unless I opt for KING Shocks provided they fit the K5 setup. So....anyone can help and tell if any KING shock fits the stock setup/geometry, as we have a local shop that carries full line of KING Shocks? Thanx in advance!
 
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