What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

New suspension thoughts//ideas

C

centexk5

3/4 ton status
 Premium
Joined
Jun 23, 2019
Posts
7,025
Reaction score
14,495
Location
Georgetown, TX
Monday I'm calling Offroad Design and ordering a complete new suspension for the truck. What's currently on there is crap (6" block in rear with stock springs, re-arched front lift springs from the 80's with washers as spacers in the front hangers, home made rear shackle for the front leaf, crap pro-comp shocks, some 3" body lift). Here is my current parts list:

Front:
4" EZ ride front springs
New shackles with greaseable bushings
New brake lines
New U-Bolts
Bilstein 5125 shocks
Plate to push the axle forward (not the zero rate)
New bump stops

Rear:
4" shackle flip
New bushings for stock leaves
Bilstein 5125 shocks
New brake lines
New u-bolts
Plate to push the axle forward (not the zero rate)
New bump stops

1" body lift with new bushings and hardware

Here's where I keep getting hung up. I'm going to need some kind of steering correction on this thing. I don't know what it has and neither does the previous owner. The top plate on the king pin has an arm coming up that the steering connects to. I can't tell if the pitman arm is a drop or not. I'm attaching pictures here. Question I have is do I replace the top plate with a stock one (if I can find one) and just run a drop pitman arm or do I go full crossover and buy a new steering box as well?

IMG_20190904_181512.jpg

IMG_20190904_181521.jpg

IMG_20190904_181449.jpg
 
Tell us what your budget is, tire size you plan on running, off-road intentions and we can go from there. It’s not a bad list but you can get better parts and do things differently depending on what you’re doing off-road wise. And that’s a raised steering arm on the king pin with the pitman arm being stock along with the stock drag link. IIRC Stephan doesn’t think crossover is necessary for a 4” lift due to steering geometry. I’d need to dig up the post he said that in. If you call ORD they can help you too, but advice from multiple people might be helpful.
 
If the break lines are s.s. I would leave,save time,and money, get a new rag joint.jm2w.
 
Truck has 37s and it's on one tons. I'd like to stay under $2500. It sees more street than rocks but it does see rocks. I plan on trimming fenders.
 
NEVER seen a dana 60 steering arm that HUGE :yikes: looks dodge ish with the under mount on the drag link .

if going 4" lift only on suspension i have been running for years a drop pitman ( steering box ) arm and 3-4" lift with no major problems .

i did a blazer on 37x12.50x17 tires and almost the same combo as you with no rubbing . link below in my sig line ( i built this m1009 )

great ride / good flex / just works on a budget build :waytogo:
 
Previous owner said the front and rear axles are out of a 1983 k30 his dad owned. With that said, I have no clue what this guy did so I'm not opposed to making it right.
 
Sounds like you’re on the right track. One thing I’d add to the front suspension is an upgraded spring hanger from ORD (larger bolt and bushing).
https://www.offroaddesign.com/front-upper-shackle-hanger-w-greasable-bushing-assembly.html

For the rear just keep in mind that with a shackle flip the pinion will rotate upwards which will more than likely cause driveshaft vibrations. So you need to correct this with either degreed shims bolted to the spring pack to rotate the pinion back down or a CV driveshaft. Also might want to consider ORD’s shock mount brace for the rear so the frame doesn’t crack at the mounts.

https://www.offroaddesign.com/rear-...87-91-k5-blazer-jimmy-k10-and-k20-pickup.html
 
I'll deal with that if I have to. The t-case is dropped what looks like 1.5-2" so I'll be removing that to see how it goes. I'm trying to get this thing built right so I can drive it more often and not worry about it.
 
I wonder if that arm could be an old Rugged Trail piece (like 70’s - early 80’)? Got any better pics of it? If it’s a manufactured piece (vs homemade / modified) I’d be interested in it if it’s not too expensive.
 
nvrenuf said:
I wonder if that arm could be an old Rugged Trail piece (like 70’s - early 80’)? Got any better pics of it? If it’s a manufactured piece (vs homemade / modified) I’d be interested in it if it’s not too expensive.
Click to expand...

I have no idea what it is. If you've got a stock one to replace it with I'll do an even swap with ya.

IMG_20200209_134104.jpg

IMG_20200209_134116.jpg

IMG_20200209_134124.jpg
 
I don’t have a stocker but I’ll see if I can find one pretty quick. If you don’t mind hold that arm for me, I do want it. Thanks!
 
It ain't going anywhere anytime soon. I'll order the suspension this week but truthfully it'll be 2-4 weeks before I even get a chance to work on it again.
 
Since you do wheel it, I'd say crossover. You'll quickly see the limits of stock steering even with the best steering correction.
Hidden falls can rip a box off the frame pdq.
 
Hopefully the ord frame reinforcement helps prevent that. I really need to find a different place to wheel or go with some full body folks to learn how to wheel that place. Everyone I wheel with has either an rzr or jeep.
 
centexk5 said:
Hopefully the ord frame reinforcement helps prevent that. I really need to find a different place to wheel or go with some full body folks to learn how to wheel that place. Everyone I wheel with has either an rzr or jeep.
Click to expand...
but you being the BIG boy they love you as your the official recovery vehicle . :pimp:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom