Rear suspension help

[buckmtn]

I am putting an Eco bit shackle flip in the rear of my k30 trail truck. My question is how many leafs should I remove from the stock spring pack to get better flex. Also cut the stock shock mounts off the 14 bolt and moved the mounts up to the centerline of the axle. The shackle flip should give me in the neighborhood of 4-6" lift. Since I moved my bottom shock mount up 1-2" should I get a shock for a 4" lift?

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

The shackle flip should give you exactly 4" of lift unless you are using longer than stock shackles (unless echobit ever offered a 6" shackle flip).

Taking springs out will lower your ride height, I would leave them.

You will need to use some kind of new upper shock mount. I would mark a point on the frame and then flex the truck out (both ways, compressions and droop) and measure the distance between the lower shock mount and your mark on the frame. This is the minimum amount of shock travel you will need, buy shocks based on the travel you need.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

I thought the Echobit shackle flip gave like 6" of lift since it just bolted below your stock shackle mount?

 

[MTBLAZER89]

Nope its about 4.5" of lift.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Ah. Learn something new every day.

 

[buckmtn]

Doesn't seem like I would get any flex at all with 7 leafs plus the overload in the factory spring pack. I had the shackle flip in my blazer with stock springs in the rear and 6" springs in the front and it sat level.

 

[buckmtn]

Bolted on the shackle flip and sure looks like I would get at least 6" of lift. Bolted the stock 56" springs on and put a floor jack under it till it lifted it off the jack stands and still only changed a half inch or so. Check picture. Is there a way I can get 6" out of swapping in stock 52" for the front and a zero rate. Would a little longer shackle in the front get me another inch? What can I do for an upper shock mount for the rear. Anyone have a picture?

 

[MTBLAZER89]

I dont think you can get 6" from the 52's out front unless you run 2" lift 52's. In the rear its hit and miss how much you will get. Between 4 and 5 maybe a little more. It all depends on the spring rate. Mine are very soft and I got around 4. Yes a 6" shackle in the rear will net 1 more inch of lift and give you a little more travel. When you get your 56's bolted on will you post a picture of the shackle angle for me. Mine is very steep and I wanted to compare it to somebody elses 56 pack.

 

[twoslo4five0]

Doesn't seem like I would get any flex at all with 7 leafs plus the overload in the factory spring pack. I had the shackle flip in my blazer with stock springs in the rear and 6" springs in the front and it sat level.

its not just the amount of leaves its the thickness of each leaf...

 

[sandawgk5]

its not just the amount of leaves its the thickness of each leaf...

Yep what he said. Deaver's have a lot of leaves and flex like mad.

I run 6 + the overload on mine and they flex more than my shocks can keep up with (i.e. my shocks are my limit straps). I ran 5 and no overload on my first set and killed them after 2 runs, the second set has lasted a little longer.

Also in your picture you are basing your lift on where the mount hole is on a shackle with no spring and no weight on it. That shackle will move back and you will not get 6" of lift. As was said expect between 4-5.

For front lift about the only way to get 6 with 52s is a lifted 52 but in the past guys who use a 2" lift 52 got more than 6 total.

I would suggest a stock 52 with a zero rate for the front.

Dik

 

[buckmtn]

I guess I'll just have to wait and see after I get the rearend all bolted up and get some weight on it. I need at least 6" of lift all around cause I got a set of 44" tsls to bolt on. Clearance not an issue in the rear because I'm going to build a flatbed for it. So as far as the stock rear spring pack goes I shouldn't take any of them out? For the front I know I need to get it moved forward at least a few inches. I have a stock set of 52" springs, and a set of 6" lift standard length springs. Don't want to go more than 2" forward. Been looking at the 2" lift 52's from tuffcountry. Just trying to learn as I go. Sort of new to all this. Thanks for the help.