stock rear springs on front

[06cumminspower]

hey guys, this is my first time on this site. i have an 85 k5 with a 6.2 diesel and 700r all stock. well my rear end ran dry and messed up bad and i have found a pair of 3/4ton axles w/springs from a 85 burb. well i have found out that the 3/4 springs are longer so i have decided to cut the rear spring hangers and buy a shackle revcerse kit from DIY4x.com and after talking to him i can take the old rear 1/2ton springs and put them on the front. was wondering if many people has any experience or input on this. i was thinking about only making longer shackles to accomdate for the longer springs on front. my goals from doing this is 1: 4-6" of lift 2: more travel or articulation and 3: stronger springs for loads. i plan on making a trail rig out of it but at the same time still useing it often.

 

[resurrected_jimmy]

Welcome to CK5, there is a little more involved than just longer shackles. YOu will have to run a crossover steering setup once you convert to 52" spring up front. I strongly suggest paying the 25 dollars to become a member, its worth it for the search feature alone. there is a ton of information on here about 52" spring swaps

http://coloradok5.com/52inchspringswap.shtml

 

[wayne]

Yes, you can swap the stock 52" rear springs to the front. Here is tons of info on doing it.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148725

You can use the DIY4X B-52 kit too.

http://www.diy4x.com/suspension.htm

 

[06cumminspower]

thanks guys, but i don't guess its as simple as being able to use a longer shackle and thats it?

 

[sweetk30]

nope the rear springs in short version are 52" and long at 56"

stock fronts are around 44" long. big big diffrence.

 

[06cumminspower]

Yes, you can swap the stock 52" rear springs to the front. Here is tons of info on doing it.

You can use the DIY4X B-52 kit too.

well would the b-52 kit take out all the fabricating? and just bolt it all back in?

 

[wayne]

well would the b-52 kit take out all the fabricating? and just bolt it all back in?

I'm not sure. I'm not running the B-52 set up. You will need crossover steering too because I don't think th stock steering will work. In the end if you want simple just get lift springs. It's not that hard of a swap but there is much more involved when you consider everything.

 

[MTBLAZER89]

The B-52 kit just replaces all the stock hangars up front and allows you the ability to move the mounting point fore and aft. Either way you are drilling/chisling/grinding rivits off

With 52's up front you should move the shackle hangar forward to get a good angle. With 56's you don't have to.

Things you will need to use this setup to its full potential.

1. Crossover steering
2. Long shocks
3. Long slip front driveshaft
4. Long brake lines

It is a very cheap simple setup to run with some expensive mods to make it work correctly. It is very very soft on the street with lots of roll. It is definetly more of a trail rig mod, but many people do some daily driving with it. I drive mine to and from work, but thats about it.