rear spring question

[chrisb420]

hey everybody, the other day i found set of leaf springs in my grandfathers garage and i wanted to ask your opinions before i tried to install them in my truck. first off i have an 86 k5 with a 2.5" set of front lift springs and blocks in the rear. the springs i found are the heaviest springs i have ever handled they are 56" from eye to eye and they have 8 leafs plus an overload i believe they came from a 1975 1 ton pickup anyway i was going to try and put them in and see how much lift they gave but i wanted to ask if maybe this may be to big of spring for the truck i dont really care if it rides a little rough like over speed bumps but i was thinking maybe this would be to much stress on the frame any suggestions are appreciated /forums/images/graemlins/thinking.gif

 

[Muddytazz]

If those are 56" springs, then your going to have to move your rear spring hanger back as your blazer has 52" springs.

 

[chrisb420]

would there be any benefits to moving it back or would it just make sense to buy a new set of 52's

 

[85mudblazin]

the 56's will flex better and you have the option of extending the wheelbase 4" /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

 

[Muddytazz]

In my opinion, its a personal preference. 56's will be a little more flexy, but with the springs you described, I highly doubt that.

 

[chrisb420]

i dont know if the springs have any flex they barely budged when i stepped on them and i am 200 lbs. i bet each spring weighs 80-90 lbs.

 

[85mudblazin]

If you leave all 8 leafs in there they will be stiff as hell, are you wanting to do a shackle flip for 4" of lift? if so then remove every other leaf in the pack, will flex like mad /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

 

[chrisb420]

if i do the shackle flip would i still need to move the hanger back, i was thinking that if i move the hanger wouldnt that also shift the rear axle out of position would the wheel stay in the wheel well, longer driveshafts ?????