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New To Me K5 - What Suspension?

typicalmarine

typicalmarine

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Location
maryland
Hey guys, been lurking for a couple months. Now that I finally have my 89 K5 (wife is still pissed) I'm in the process of making sure she is safe and runs well. Im completely new to this so right now my head is spinning!

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Today I got a flat. Cracks in sidewalls gave - thank god for AAA. Probably going to pick up some 35x12.5r15 BFGs

My shocks are a little scary looking. The previous owner only had her for a few years and was not the one who put the lift on. He couldnt tell me what parts were used. Can anyone tell me what make these shocks are?

Also, how do I measure the lift size? Do I simply measure the block?

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Thanks!
 
Shocks are probably Rancho 5000 series. Looks to be about a 4" lift (largest Rancho used to make for our trucks/blazers) not that it is a Rancho lift but judging from the size of the blocks. Yes you can get a good idea my measuring the block.

If you look at the shock body at the bottom the Brand is usually stamped into them.
 
I agree, just from looking at it, it looks like a 4 inch lift. If you replace the shocks, save yourself some money and backpain and go back to single shocks at all 4 wheels. Those dual shocks don't do anything but make the ride harsher. The stainless brake lines are a good thing to see, alot of people overlook the lines when installing a lift. I am not big on the flares, flaps and steps, but that Blazer is very very nice and clean.
 
Wow! Lots of shocks you have there, looks like you have 4" blocks in the rear measure them like you thought. I think those are rancho shocks and about 4 too many of them. Where are you in Md ?
 
:cool:Cool another Marylander !!! What area are you in?

I agree with Scott, they look like Rancho shocks and I would also guess at 4" being the lift height.
 
Those look like rancho 5000's to me.....but who knows.

Measuring the blocks will give you the block height but says nothing about lifted springs. If you can look real close at the springs and see if there is a part number or anything etched into them you may be able to find it on summit or something. It looks like a 4 or 6" lift to me.

for 4" it Could be 4" lift blocks and maybe 4" front springs.

for 6" could be 4" rear springs, 2 inch blocks, and 6" front lift springs. It has the raised steering arm which is good!

It's hard to tell with those pictures! Once you figure it out you may be able to buy those ranchos right from advance auto or autozone. I was able to buy rancho 5000's for a 4-6" lifted blazer right off the shelf for $45/ea.
 
Thanks for the info gents. I like the idea of going to single shocks. Wasnt sure if the duals made a difference or not so if not, its a complete waist of money.
 
typicalmarine said:
I'm in Odenton, MD. It's right by Ft. Meade, Laurel, Crofton/Bowie
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Not to far from me, our office /shop is in Baltimore city, I've done a few jobs at NSA and Ft. Meade. I live up in Haford county. If you ever come across a part you need shot me a pm I may be able to help you out (I am currently on K5 #8) :crazy:
 
did anyone else notice the rear spring perches? looks like they have been cut down.

measure the block in the middle, between the u-bolts, then let us know.
 
YZEATER said:
did anyone else notice the rear spring perches? looks like they have been cut down.
.
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I see that now that you mention it, no idea why someone would have done that. Kind-a scary looking in the pics with a good portion of the perch gone.
 
yep, better put in a 14BFF...and so it begins.
 
76zimmer said:
yep, better put in a 14BFF...and so it begins.
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and just so you know it NEVER stops

Good looking K5 man.

I think someone mentioned this before but the shocks usually have the brand on the bottom of the shock, etched into the shock.

If it rides nice, its probably not an old school rancho lift, those things rode rough.

And as has been mentioned before you might want to check the rear perches to make sure they are still alright, if part of that perch is missing it makes for a dangerous situation
 
It could be a Rough Country lift. The RC shocks that came with mine looked like that (not rusted and beat up obviously). Good looking rig.
 
Thanks for the catch... I'll have to do some research and figure out what some of this stuff is though (14BFF and rear perch) I'm assuming its the leaf spring that looks really short?

I keep telling myself that I'm not going to put much money into it but I already need a new set of tires and shocks. Have a set of Flowmaster Super 44s ready for install. Engine has 360k on the clock so I want to take a good look at her and do some freshening up. Just got my Dodge Magnum where I want her and thought the spending was over!

Hello, my name is Val and I am an addict......
 
14BFF is a full float axle out of 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. Only the 3/4 ton trucks will match up, the 1 tons require moving the spring perch. These will all be 8 lug axles, but are much stronger than the stock 10BSF axle that is currently in your truck. If you break an axle in a 14BFF the tire stays on, if you break one in the current 10BSF axle you will see your tire fall off.

The spring perch they are talking about is the portion that is welded to the axle tube and the block is sitting on top. On nearly every axle I have seen the block is about the same size as the perch. Yours appears to overhang in both the front and the back, which would probably contribute to some serious axle wrap with the blocks.

Welcome to the addiction, may you enjoy watching your money fly away as you find more and more upgrades to do.:grin:
 
lectric80 said:
The spring perch they are talking about is the portion that is welded to the axle tube and the block is sitting on top. On nearly every axle I have seen the block is about the same size as the perch. Yours appears to overhang in both the front and the back, which would probably contribute to some serious axle wrap with the blocks.
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So the major cause for concern is the block making contact with something and coming loose?
 
Welcome to the board, Good for you for gettin a good ol' K5. Wife is pissed? She will cost you WAYYY more money in the long run then the K5, Your K5 will love you unconditionally and will never talk back OR get pissed at you. You KNOW what you need to do :D :haha:j/k. As has been said, the addiction begins my friend. You thought she was pissed when you bought it. Wait till she see's all the coin your going to drop in it with one ton swaps, doubler, lift, cage, rims and tires, and......so on and so on and so on :haha:. Enjoy brother.
 
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