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To swap swings or not to swap...? Yep, I'm stumped

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Smokeyk5

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Ok, I'm stumped in regards to springs swaps, if it is even right for me and what it entails. For starters my rig; 74" jimmy with a 350 carb, th350, np203 w/ part time, d44 and 12 bolt, 33's, the rest is stock. Future plans so far are to rebuild the th350 and beef it up, junk the 203 for a 205, toss in a tbi,and a few other bolts ons, cams, intakes manifold, ect and 14b ff and d44 hd, 37" tires maybe 39's and a winch. The goal is an excellent wheelin/camping machine, not looking for a full out crawler or doing extreme obstacles, that still looks good and can drive around town. I have been doing a lot of research in regards to how to lift my rig and I've become overwhelmed with whats our there. Currently my thought is leaving the front alone and just getting 6" TC ez rides with an ORD FUSH and extended shackles and possibly doing crossover steering. I had thought about the 52's but think it's overkill for my purpose. The rear has really got me, but I would really like to swap in longer springs 56/63/64, do a shackle flip and get extend shackles. But after reading everyone keeps talking about making sure you have the proper pinon and shackle angle, axle wrap and bind up and all sorts of other things that make me go :dunno: I really would like to move the rear axle back, but would like to keep things as simple as possible. So my direct questions are, would I benefit from swapping the rear springs? And other than just finding springs flipping the shackle flip kit around and getting longer shackles are the other things I would need for the rear? Also if anyone has good links please share.
 
I had a K5 with rear 64" springs, ORD shackle flip and some front lift springs (cant remember brand. It rode and worked great although the ffront flex and ride left some to be desired. From what I have read going with ORD front lift springs gets you a much better ride and flex but wont leave you with springs that are soft like the 52" front swap tends to do. Cross over def. makes the steering better both on an offroad no questions about that. I am going with DIY4x shackle flips on the rear of mine this time around with their shackles, and I am doing 52" up front however mine is going to be more setup for offroad. If I was using as a weekend warrior and DD I would do the ORD front springs, with cross over steering.
 
So don't think me too harsh here.

As per your description you say camping/ wheeling rig, but nothing to dumb.

So why 39s, why 37s. Why not 35s and only a 4" lift?

The lower height will help the driveablility getting in and out, loading it. Still plenty capable. 4" is ( according to conventional wisdom and actually it is) too short for 35s unless you want to trim.

The trimming is very minor.

Even go with a 2.5" spring an ez inch and longer shackles up front that will give you a 4" lift overall and allow 35s easy.

It might be time to dial it back a bit on the tire size and really assess what your needs are.
 
blazinzuk, the only answer I can really come up with is I just like bigger tires. I know it's a dumb answer, but I just enjoy the look of big trucks. I agree with you in regards to rethinking the practicality of the application, but for me I'm a tall guy so getting in and out of lifted trucks is no issue and the truck is always loaded kept ready to go, other than beer, food, some tools and water. It's not my daily driver so i'm not to concerned with great driveability, but I still don't want to fear for my life going down the highway. I still have not ruled out the 35" idea, just trying to gather some additional info and view points before tearing the truck apart.
 
Smokeyk5 said:
K5-CJ5, how far back did your axle move? How did you have your mounts set-up?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I cant recall exact measurements but I moved my front mount forward and the rear back. You can change the mount location to move the axle farther back to where you want it to be. There are down sides to this setup also. With the longer springs you will get axle wrap without a trackbar setup.

I also have to agree with blazinzuk on this one. I would stay at around 4". As I recall the shackle flip with longer springs netted about 5" of lift. You can do a 4" front spring and a 1" zero rate on the fronts. (been a few years on that rig so cant recall perfectly).

For your purpose you may want to consider a shackle flip in the rear and stock springs, or 56" springs. Another consideration is gearing especially if your going to run 37" plus tires.

The best blazer I had for DD and capable was 4" lift springs in front, shackle reversal in the rear and 35" tires. I did have to do minor trimming for the 35's but it wasn't bad at all and well worth it. There are a lot of great build threads on here if you search that can really help you out and you can see what different combination do on a rig.
 
I hear ya on the big tires. Took about a year for my buddy to talk me down from the precipice on my Jimmy ( I have 2 rigs) I told him for a long time I wanted 38s, I still do for the most part, but practicality has won out for me so I am sticking with 35s. For now.

I will tell you my favorite big tire that really isn't that big and is wide and its a swamper so it looks super aggressive. The 38" radial TSL. I love that tire. Its short for a 38 but its wide so it makes it look bigger.

If you can keep the truck low and run a tire like that it will make the truck look super aggressive.

I really dig the big tire very small lift look.

One of the reasons I am going down to a 3" or so lift when I get some other things rounded up on my Jimmy, 6" with 35s is just too much lift for too little of a tire.

Trust me I hear ya on the big tires. :D:D
 
I am also of the low lift camp. I have several rigs. My 1982 K30 3+3 has 8" Superlift front springs, and stock shackles. The rear has 4" Superlift rear springs, an ORD shackle flip, DIY4X 7" shackles and a 1" zero rate spring. It is too tall for my preference.

My 1988 V10 Suburban has a set of factory 3 pack leaf springs on the front with a 1" zero rate spring. On the rear it has a set of 2" lift blocks. I also added a 1" body lift and new body mounts, which I would recommend to anyone wanting to lift one of these. They give it a slight amount of tire clearance and lift, yet don't look goofy like a 2" or 3". The best upside of them is that they make working under the vehicle much easier. I have ran 33's, 35's, and 37's under this, and currently have 315/70R17 Hummer H2 take off tires and rims on it.

My 1990 K5 has 52" springs on the front with a 1" zero rate spring. The rear has a home made shackle flip with 56" springs and a 1" zero rate spring. It also has a 1" body lift, and some pretty sever fender trimming on the front. I had 325/85R16's on this and am now running 38x12.50x16.5" Swampers on it.

Martin
 
All I have to say is that I took out my 4" Tuff-Country E-Z rides and turned them into scrap after I got a set from ORD for my '70. I have posted this before, but you can't believe the difference unless you experience it.
 
Smokeyk5 said:
6872xtc, I thought the Tuff country were that springs ORD had, do they have something else that I missed?
Click to expand...


ORD also offers custom leafs. You call them with your vehicle info and they will tell you the cost and have the spring made.
 
Yep, they have Tuff-Country, but as K5-CJ5 said, they offer custom stuff. They will want to know the weight of your truck, total and each end, plus some other info to get you a set for your needs. Alcan here in Grand Junction builds them to the specs that Stephen has found through lots of R&D.
 
Ok makes sense now, I have only browsed the website I didn't know they had access to customs ones. If you don't mind my asking what are they cost wise? I know about alcans; and would love to have set and possibly debating just spring the extra on custom springs. Afters some more digging around and the input of fine people here. I thinking sticking the 35 route and just doing a 4". I'm still leaning towards probably doing a 56" swap in the rear, think that would be a good move.
 
On my '70, it cost me $620 after tax, if I remember correctly. I had gotten a quote directly from Alcan before ordering from ORD, it was basically the same as it was only slightly less. From my point of view, it was just a difference of which spring design you want. I am so glad I changed mine out that I can't explain it, except that I had looked into putting a radius arm set-up under the front of it so that I could stand to drive it.

Do you ever get over to Grand Junction? If so let me know ahead of time and we could meet so you could check them out. I also have a buddy's '90 K5 here that is sitting on 6" ORD fronts, 2" superlift rears with a shackle flip.
 
Well, I may have to give them a call and get something rolling on that. Would much rather pay the extra few bucks and have something quality then still paying a fortune for cheap stuff.
I make up to Rifle a few times a yea to see my grandparents, but with gas cost I mostly just drive my car, but definitely would like to try meeting up to check out your rig.
 
SmokeyK5, welcome aboard bud. I typed a HUGE long post, but deleted it as I get too wordy. Anyways, He's my run down for your needs and wants as you described.


38" TLS as blazinzuk suggested
Custom 4" springs up front. The ride will be great, and they will flex awesome. DON'T do the 52 swap.
DIY or ORD 4" shackle flip out back
56" in rear, no overload spring
14FF
4:88 gears
DIY Wraptor anti-wrap if your worried about axle wrap
Have a basic 6 point cage done for safety
locker in rear
limited slip in front
minor trimming as needed.

Now 38's are a little big for a D44 front. But if you do as you said and it's light trail use you should be fine, and you can beef it up. But if decide to really put money into if just get a D60 and be done with it.
 
rdn2blazer, well thanks. Yep, I'm leaning more towards the smaller lift with a good set off springs up front and 56's in the rear with 35's. The more I've thought about I almost thinking off just keeping it as a pavement pounder and getting something else to beat the heck out of and do crazy stuff too. I was able to snag some decent axles for cheap 14b ff d44 hd for, 4.11's, with spare shafts for 300, I figure for 35's it will be a good setup.
 
Cool, atleast you know before you dive into it which way you want to go. try and keep it running as much as possible as you change/mod things. Way too mony of us rip them apart and they stay that way for years before they get back on wheels. my project included.
 
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