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?'s about 52" front spring swap shock length, limit straps, bump stops and shock hoops.

handloader90

handloader90

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Doing a 52" spring swap. I've done this before but never fully finished so I have a few questions.

I've gonna be running DIYX B52's, 52" springs and 6" shackles up front.

Curious as to what length shocks you guys are running up front with this style setup. I'm leaning more towards running shock hoops (vs. for towers) with a cross bar and using shock tabs that weld onto a portion of the D60 C and a little bit of the axle tube. Planning on Bilsteins, so if you have a P/N please post it up.

What are you guys doing for limit straps and bump stops?

I know that it will probably boil down to me finding something to flex my truck out on and taking measurements but so many have did the swap that I'm sure there is a standard on what length shocks, limit straps and bump stops people are using.
 
When I had 52's I was running 15" bilstien 5125's. I ran those with timbrens on the stock u bolt plates, along with a hoop/ engine cage. Now I have a lot more stuff in the way and these funny looking springs over my shocks.

IMG_2058.JPG
 
jekquistk5 said:
Hoops are difficult if you plan on keeping ac FYI.
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I have the stock A/C stuff in the truck but it's not hooked up. I'm planning on removing all of the factory HVAC stuff and making a plate to cover up the holes on the firewall.
 
jekquistk5 said:
When I had 52's I was running 15" bilstien 5125's. I ran those with timbrens on the stock u bolt plates, along with a hoop/ engine cage. Now I have a lot more stuff in the way and these funny looking springs over my shocks.

View attachment 236686
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So the 15" shocks were good to go? Not too long or too short?

How tall were the timbers?

And did you use limit straps?
 
handloader90 said:
So the 15" shocks were good to go? Not too long or too short?

How tall were the timbers?

And did you use limit straps?
Click to expand...
Limit straps in the form of leaf springs.

15's were fine, Stock 52's sucked. They were dead after 1-2 runs in the rocks/ trails.
 
Has anyone actually pulled apart a 52 pack and cycled the front to see if it pulls 15 inches of travel? That is a really long shock and It wouldn't surprise me if your bending the spring backward and allowing it to droop way past leaf separation that they would self destruct in short order.. properly bumped and strapped springs last a long time.. I'd spend the cash on getting a decent lift spring imho it's going to drive and perform better all around.
 
@brokenparts pulled his springs apart to measure travel but I don't remember the outcome. It's in his build thread.
 
sreidmx said:
Has anyone actually pulled apart a 52 pack and cycled the front to see if it pulls 15 inches of travel? That is a really long shock and It wouldn't surprise me if your bending the spring backward and allowing it to droop way past leaf separation that they would self destruct in short order.. properly bumped and strapped springs last a long time.. I'd spend the cash on getting a decent lift spring imho it's going to drive and perform better all around.
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I would love to have some nice springs up front but I've got some B52's on the way and some 52" springs already.
 
Im planning on using limit straps. Ill find something to flex it out on and take some measurements and buy limit straps accordingly to get the springs from over flexing.
 
Fastereddie said:
Ruffstuff hoops, 14" bilsteins, no limits. And factory a/c box. The reciever/dryer for the a/c fits, I just dont have a pic with it on yet View attachment 236691View attachment 236692
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I'm gonna check out RuffStuff's hoops. Those look nice. I was planning on using flanges so I could take the cross bar out if needed and I was planning on plating the frame where the shock hoops will be mounted.

I like how that looks though, sweet and simple.
 
handloader90 said:
I'm gonna check out RuffStuff's hoops. Those look nice. I was planning on using flanges so I could take the cross bar out if needed and I was planning on plating the frame where the shock hoops will be mounted.

I like how that looks though, sweet and simple.
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Thanks, whenever the time comes, i'll cut the crossbar out and put it back with 1-1/2" tube clamps
 
I'm doing the same but after measuring, I'm debating on alcan springs up front. Running kerts bump stops and no straps on super lift 6" springs & shackles right now. Moving the front axle 4" will allow me to run dual shocks instead of singles. Gear box and shaft is in the way right now. Running 16" procomp prorunner shocks. Had to adjust bumps so I'm not using my shocks lol
 
my Blazers front 52s (stock rears) would droop and bottom out an 16 inch shock with ease. I had some of leaf separation, but I was only low speed crawling. At the time I didn't care cause it was all about the flex. no bump stops and the shocks were my limiting straps. I had duel rancho's on the front. a RS 5000 and an adjustable RS9000 set on #3 on each side. with shock hoops. I would say must have on the cross over bar and plating the frame where the hoops mount. 3 mounting points for the hoops is also a good idea. Mine had 3 points but one got cut off on the right side to fit the Banks Turbo. Bottoming the shocks tweaked the hoop over time and I torn the right side hoop off the frame coming back into town on the road from Hells Revenge at BB09. Hoop got stuck in the steering and it drove me into the canyon wall. Which was much better than if the left hoop had gone..that would have sent me over the cliff edge somewhere into the city dump down below.
 
The picture on the CK5 calendar this month (see my avatar) is 52s with limit straps in place and 14" shocks. Made my own bumps stops, but definitely leaving the straps in place
 
Since stock 52s get chewed up so fast, which im guessing is from overloading, what about taking 4 packs of 52s and adding a few leaves to your "running" pack. It would stiffen them up, and provide much more resistance to getting worn out so fast. Combined with bumps and straps it's possible they could last for awhile no problem.
 
454Sub said:
Since stock 52s get chewed up so fast, which im guessing is from overloading, what about taking 4 packs of 52s and adding a few leaves to your "running" pack. It would stiffen them up, and provide much more resistance to getting worn out so fast. Combined with bumps and straps it's possible they could last for awhile no problem.
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That's what I did
 
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