Spring Help - Need to Lower '77 K5

[ZombieK5]

For me to get my K5 registered in Pennsylvania the front and rear bumpers can only be a maximum height. When I bought the K5 the front bumper was 33" and the rear bumper was 35"

PA LAW - GVWR 5,001 to 7,000
Front MAX = 27"
Rear MAX = 29"

So, I needed to lower the entire vehicle a net of at least 6 Inches!!!!

My tires were originally 39.5" and I just installed 35" tires.

I just measured the Blazer. AFTER the tire change the front bumper is now 31" and the rear bumper is now 33" So only TWO inches lower, which makes sense because the tire diameter was about 4 inches less so half is 2"

I still need 4" less bumper height. I need to keep the 35's

The seller said the Blazer had a 4" Spring lift and 2" Body lift. The body lift should not have any affect on the bumper height.

My front spring seems to be 47" eye to eye and rear springs seem to be 56" eye to eye (this may be off a bit - possibly 59" - it was dark when I just measured).

I sent photos of front springs and rear springs. Maybe someone will see someplace I can change things. I see springs on ORD but the smallest is 2"

Maybe the springs on the K5 NOW are actually part of a taller lift (more than the claimed 4"). Any help or ideas are welcome.

I need to get this K5 lowered. I need to lower it 4" minimum.

Something doesn't seem right.

 

[imiceman44]

For me to get my K5 registered in Pennsylvania the front and rear bumpers can only be a maximum height. When I bought the K5 the front bumper was 33" and the rear bumper was 35"

PA LAW - GVWR 5,001 to 7,000
Front MAX = 27"
Rear MAX = 29"

So, I needed to lower the entire vehicle a net of at least 6 Inches!!!!

My tires were originally 39.5" and I just installed 35" tires.

I just measured the Blazer. AFTER the tire change the front bumper is now 31" and the rear bumper is now 33" So only TWO inches lower, which makes sense because the tire diameter was about 4 inches less so half is 2"

I still need 4" less bumper height. I need to keep the 35's

The seller said the Blazer had a 4" Spring lift and 2" Body lift. The body lift should not have any affect on the bumper height.

My front spring seems to be 47" eye to eye and rear springs seem to be 56" eye to eye (this may be off a bit - possibly 59" - it was dark when I just measured).

I sent photos of front springs and rear springs. Maybe someone will see someplace I can change things. I see springs on ORD but the smallest is 2"

Maybe the springs on the K5 NOW are actually part of a taller lift (more than the claimed 4"). Any help or ideas are welcome.

I need to get this K5 lowered. I need to lower it 4" minimum.

Something doesn't seem right.

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I am no expert but I want to say they look like 6" springs.
To get close to the number pull a straight line from eye to eye and measure down to the top of the spring and add 1".
Stock front springs are flat or slightly negative arch so big difference here.

 

[ZombieK5]

I am no expert but I want to say they look like 6" springs.
To get close to the number pull a straight line from eye to eye and measure down to the top of the spring and add 1".
Stock front springs are flat or slightly negative arch so big difference here.

Does anyone know the factory spring height for the 77 K5?

Without major research, does anyone know the Factory frame height?

 

[ZooMad75]

No real good place to get specs on the factory spring height. Stock front springs usually had only 3 leafs and we're nearly flat or near negative arch.

You have an aftermarket cross over steering setup that if you go lower on the springs it might introduce contact between the steering link and the passenger side spring. Kind of a catch 22, since you need to lower it but don't want the steering to bind either.

Your listings in the pics that the rear spring front mounts look aftermarket, they aren't. There is some support beam welded to the frame in the middle of the mount but the mount itself is stock. All your spring mounts are stock.

I'd check your bumper mounts. If a body lift is on there they may have installed brackets to lift the bumpers up so there isn't a huge gap due to the body lift. So if there is you might be able to drop the bumpers down and save messing with the suspension.

 

[ZombieK5]

No real good place to get specs on the factory spring height. Stock front springs usually had only 3 leafs and we're nearly flat or near negative arch.

You have an aftermarket cross over steering setup that if you go lower on the springs it might introduce contact between the steering link and the passenger side spring. Kind of a catch 22, since you need to lower it but don't want the steering to bind either.

Your listings in the pics that the rear spring front mounts look aftermarket, they aren't. There is some support beam welded to the frame in the middle of the mount but the mount itself is stock. All your spring mounts are stock.

I'd check your bumper mounts. If a body lift is on there they may have installed brackets to lift the bumpers up so there isn't a huge gap due to the body lift. So if there is you might be able to drop the bumpers down and save messing with the suspension.

I didn't consider the crossover causing an issue. I can always change it back to a more traditional setup. Bottom line is the bumper needs to come down. I'm going to measure the spring depth based on thr bushings centerline. I'll post when I get that.

The support mount near the rear springs are part of the roll cage.

 

[skunked]

I agree with @imiceman44 those look like 6" springs. Have you looked closer at the bumper brackets to make sure they haven't been spaced up?

 

[ZombieK5]

I agree with @imiceman44 those look like 6" springs. Have you looked closer at the bumper brackets to make sure they haven't been spaced up?

Measured (roughly) the spring drop

As measured from the bushing center bolts the BOTTOM of the springs are 6" deep. From the bushing center bolts to the TOP of the springs is 4"

The spring leafs are about 2" thick.

There is a wedge between the axle and the bottom of the springs. The wedge is about 1/2" thick on the wide end which is facing forward.

Photos attached.

 

[ZombieK5]

I agree with @imiceman44 those look like 6" springs. Have you looked closer at the bumper brackets to make sure they haven't been spaced up?

Front bumper appears unmodified other than it looks like a 81-91 design. The back bumper has a significant gap and it seems to be unmodified.

Also noticed I have 81-91 front fenders based on the horizontal parking lights.

Please review photos and let me know thoughts

 

[6872xtc]

I agree with the thought that you have a taller lift than 4". There is too much arch in the springs in my opinion. Then the D60 adds some too.
Are the factory bump stop brackets still on the frame? Mine measures 11.25" from the bottom of the spring pack to the bottom of the bump stop bracket. It's a '79 frame with ORD springs and a D60. I believe that they made the springs for a 4" lift, but I can't remember.
I had to trim the fenders a decent to clear 37" tires with the bump stop only lowered 1.5".

Do they measure to the bottom of the bumper? Just curious.

 

[ZombieK5]

I agree with the thought that you have a taller lift than 4". There is too much arch in the springs in my opinion. Then the D60 adds some too.
Are the factory bump stop brackets still on the frame? Mine measures 11.25" from the bottom of the spring pack to the bottom of the bump stop bracket. It's a '79 frame with ORD springs and a D60. I believe that they made the springs for a 4" lift, but I can't remember.
I had to trim the fenders a decent to clear 37" tires with the bump stop only lowered 1.5".

Do they measure to the bottom of the bumper? Just curious.
View attachment 336033

Measured from the bottom of the bump stop mount. I have an aftermarket bumpstop. Looks like 15 1/2" from bottom of bump stop to spring perch.

Does this equation help determine spring height?

 

[6872xtc]

I don't know if it helps when talking to a manufacturer or salesman, but I don't know how else to compare while bypassing the tire size and body lift.
Those look like fabricated bump stop brackets, with the aftermarket bump to me. And the short amount of bump travel can't ride well. But the springs are probably stiff being that thick. It looks to me that you have about an inch and a half of up travel.
And yours is about 3" higher in that dimension. Right? I don't have a degree shim like yours.
So you would need about a 3" lift, maybe? Wow! That will be shock!

Your springs compared to mine make it obvious why ORD springs cost more and ride so well. I think that mine have twice as many leaves.

 

[ZombieK5]

I don't know if it helps when talking to a manufacturer or salesman, but I don't know how else to compare while bypassing the tire size and body lift.
Those look like fabricated bump stop brackets, with the aftermarket bump to me. And the short amount of bump travel can't ride well. But the springs are probably stiff being that thick. It looks to me that you have about an inch and a half of up travel.
And yours is about 3" higher in that dimension. Right? I don't have a degree shim like yours.
So you would need about a 3" lift, maybe? Wow! That will be shock!

Your springs compared to mine make it obvious why ORD springs cost more and ride so well. I think that mine have twice as many leaves.

So do you think I have a 6" Lift?

And a recommended 3" lift to fix my issue?

It rides stiff and I've never hit the bumpstops... Also I haven't taken it off road yet.

Still,. I'm trying to figure out what lift size I have.

 

[imiceman44]

So do you think I have a 6" Lift?

And a recommended 3" lift to fix my issue?

It rides stiff and I've never hit the bumpstops... Also I haven't taken it off road yet.

Still,. I'm trying to figure out what lift size I have.

I will measure my stock suburban tomorrow and let you know.

 

[thatK30guy]

Leave everything alone and fabricate some tube "bumpers" under your current factory bumpers. Just some 3" steel tubing the same length as the bumpers and weld some brackets on them to fasten to the frame or existing bumper brackets. Call it a loophole.

 

[thatK30guy]

Make them removable with some hitch pins thru the back side so you can have more clearance while off roading. Then slap them back on for the drive on the pavements.

 

[ZombieK5]

Leave everything alone and fabricate some tube "bumpers" under your current factory bumpers. Just some 3" steel tubing the same length as the bumpers and weld some brackets on them to fasten to the frame or existing bumper brackets. Call it a loophole.

I am planning to get aftermarket bumpers but they are in hold pending the mechanical repairs (springs, brakes and rusted out body panels). However, that is a good loophole.

 

[6872xtc]

And a recommended 3" lift to fix my issue?

It rides stiff and I've never hit the bumpstops... Also I haven't taken it off road yet.
.

Lots of guys scoff at the price of springs from Offroad Design and are okay with Tuff Country. I had Tuff Country Ez-ride under the front of my '70 K10 years ago and when I got tired of the poor ride, I got ORD springs and was amazed by the difference!! I won't recommend anything else now because if you want to enjoy your truck in the long run, I say do what it takes to make it more comfortable. Those who are just fine with cheaper springs, possibly haven't ridden on the better ones.
Offroad performance is a huge factor in my experience.

 

[ZombieK5]

Lots of guys scoff at the price of springs from Offroad Design and are okay with Tuff Country. I had Tuff Country Ez-ride under the front of my '70 K10 years ago and when I got tired of the poor ride, I got ORD springs and was amazed by the difference!! I won't recommend anything else now because if you want to enjoy your truck in the long run, I say do what it takes to make it more comfortable. Those who are just fine with cheaper springs, possibly haven't ridden on the better ones.
Offroad performance is a huge factor in my experience.

100% getting ORD springs.... Just need to figure out WHAT lift I have and what lift will lower the bumpers to state maximum. I need to get it inspected to I can drive. If the gurus on this board can help figure what lift I have the order will be placed.

 

[skunked]

100% getting ORD springs.... Just need to figure out WHAT lift I have and what lift will lower the bumpers to state maximum. I need to get it inspected to I can drive. If the gurus on this board can help figure what lift I have the order will be placed.

The chances of figuring out exactly hat lift you have is pretty slim, however we can estimate those are 6" (maybe even 8") lift springs. There's tons of members on this board with 35" tires on a K5 that can provide bumper height figures with 35's on X lift. Secondly you can call ORD and talk through your situation, those guys are very knowledgeable when it comes to setting up springs on these trucks.

 

[6872xtc]

Does the state measure to the bottom of the bumper?
Thinking maybe there is a way to check height of the frame between trucks.