opinions needed on the beginings of a project!

[destro360]

ok here's the deal.. my 87 gmc jimmy has a mild i think 4 inch lift.. springs up front and blocks in the rear im putting a new motor in it right now the other one spun the #2 rod bearing. i have another 78 gmc jimmy 4x4 for parts that im currently picking apart.. from what i can tell the parts truck has a dana 44 up front and a 12 bolt in the rear, my truck still has stock 10bolts front and rear.. i was thinking of running the 52 springs off the other truck on the front of mine for more flex but im not sure where that would put me heighdth wise.. i also was thinking of swapping the axles but decided against it figuring 10b would be cheaper and easier to find... any input or suggestions would help!! i want to make the most of the parts truck before i sell it off and regret not keeping some parts from it thnx

 

[abig84]

the 12bolt and dana 44 are basically the same axles in my opinion. only reason i could see for swaping them in is if your 10 bolts are trashed or those have better gear ratio. if you have the room save them anyways incase you do trash your axles. if limited on room, save the outters on the dana all that stuff is the same

 

[destro360]

yeah im sticking with the 10 bolts.. just welded the front up solid today, now im just curious if i should try to mess with keeping the 52 springs off the back of it and eventually using em on my front?? im also curious if the t. case is any stronger on the 78 and if it would be a direct swap?? mine is leaking like crazy and im not sure but i think the leak is the common mount bolt that wears thin and leaks... im also unsure of whether i should leave my 700r4 in or swap in the 350 trans the parts truck has... lol questions questions...

 

[tacoma]

Are you running out of flex with the springs that are on it??? I would bet you hit body before you do.
The axles are about a draw. I wouldn't even bother unbolting either set, if they were already installed.

If your 700r4 is working, keep it. Whatever t-case you have behind it is better than the one in the '78 as far as ratio goes, and the strength doesn't matter much with that engine.

 

[destro360]

right now there is pretty much no flex and the ride is real stiff i was considering removing the sway bar and seeing if it was still driveable without it.. but alot of people have been saying how "great" the 52 swap is up front and the amount of flex you can achieve...

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

right now there is pretty much no flex and the ride is real stiff i was considering removing the sway bar and seeing if it was still driveable without it.. but alot of people have been saying how "great" the 52 swap is up front and the amount of flex you can achieve...

Ditch the swaybar, it will help flex and you probably won't even notice its gone on the road.

As for swapping the 52's up front, they will move the axle forward 2" (if you move the hangers like many of us do) and you will have WAY too much flex for the stock steering setup. Moving the axle forward will make the already too short draglink even shorter and more travel will make these shortcomings more apparent.

Basically, running 52's without crossover or full hydraulic steering is probably out of the question.

 

[destro360]

well regardless of whether or not i use the 52's i plan on doing the cross over steering set up but, i cant afford everything all at once.. i'll have to slowly collect the parts needed and then install it.. i was just thinking about keepin the springs for later but it will make selling/getting rid of the parts truck harder to doalso i have no problem with moving my shackles forward to make the 52's work i am just curious how much of a gain i will see flex wise like if it will be an enormous difference or just slight?? also im curious what type of shock to run on this the ones now are junk and leaking... should i run double shocks?? or just a quality single?? thnx alot to everyone so far who has put out there info!! keep it coming im like a freakin sponge

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

well regardless of whether or not i use the 52's i plan on doing the cross over steering set up but, i cant afford everything all at once.. i'll have to slowly collect the parts needed and then install it.. i was just thinking about keepin the springs for later but it will make selling/getting rid of the parts truck harder to doalso i have no problem with moving my shackles forward to make the 52's work i am just curious how much of a gain i will see flex wise like if it will be an enormous difference or just slight?? also im curious what type of shock to run on this the ones now are junk and leaking... should i run double shocks?? or just a quality single?? thnx alot to everyone so far who has put out there info!! keep it coming im like a freakin sponge

52's flex way more than any lift spring. There are tons of threads on here concerning 52's, search google with "whatever you're searching for site:coloradok5.com"

As for shocks, more travel with lower lift means moving the shock mounts for sure. The most popular option is to add Ford Superduty shock towers along with 12-14" travel shocks.

 

[destro360]

so maybe i should leave the shocks alone until im sure of what springs and steering im going to run?? maybe then set up something solid for shocks?? thnx

 

[destro360]

 

[destro360]

also im looking for some input for what type/how agressive of a cam i should put into my engine thats going into my truck... thnx