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Unique Spring / Lift Question - Opinions Needed

Which Springs

  • Rough Country 4" Lift

    Votes: 2 14.3%

  • No Lift - New HD Springs from General

    Votes: 6 42.9%

  • Use the money to put a hottub in the back, get nekkid.

    Votes: 6 42.9%
  • Total voters
    14
chalet2506

chalet2506

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I'm fixing to put a 14bsf in the Chalet and want to go ahead and put new springs in while I'm at it. I've got it narrowed down to 2 options.

1. Rough Country 4" lift with new rear springs. About $500 plus shipping.

2. New HD springs from General Spring in Olathe, Ks. Probably looking about $650 plus shipping by the time I buy new bushings.

The dilemna I have is this, I'd like the lift kit but have 2 concerns with the 4" lift. I'm already topheavy, and that's going to raise my c.o.g. It'll get even higher after I put some 35's on it to make it look right. Also, I'm concerned how long the springs will last with all that camper weight. GVW for the truck is 6700#, 4000# rear, 3300# front per the tag in the door(don't know what stock K5's are). There's 5 leafs plus the overload in the R.C kit. Currently my rear springs consist of 6 leaves, overload, and aftermarket helper bolted on the top.

I can order up to 8 leaf/3750# rated rear springs from General - http://leafspringstacks.generalspringkc.com/Chevy.html

and 3 leaf hd for the front. I can't really think of a down side to this setup, other than the higher cost, but I have caught the lift bug and can't seem to make up my mind.

Anyway, I've got my new axle and just about have all the parts accumulated for the swap, just need to get off the fence and make a decision. So help a brother out. I stuck the pic in for people unfamiliar with my ride.
2566631_1_full.jpg
 
it sounds like the rough country springs will wear out fast, so you're just throwing good money after bad.

so then i'd use the general springs. what's 150 bucks on top of 500? :haha:

what about using 1 ton rear springs and a shackle flip kit? :confused: the springs will be bigger and stiffer and the shackle flip will give you your height.
 
Use the money to put a hottub in the back, get nekkid.
 
I've kicked around a shackle flip, which would add $ on top the new spring cost - not that big of deal really, but it all boils down to this -

Does it make sense to lift a Chalet? I think it'd look bad ass with 4-6" and some big tires, I'm just concerned about how safe it's going to be running down the highway.
 
Look into the redneck shackle flip. I just did it on my truck.
 
Hey Jesse, haven't forgot about the bumpers - just been working on other things.
 
Gross weight on a stock K5 is 6200 with 3300 front and 3200 rear. I would say do the 4" lift, but add a set of zero rates to the rear. Change your backspacing on the wheels to push them out a little further, that should help a lot with the balance of the vehicle even with greater height. That is a nice chalet, although I have seen very few to compare it to.
 
lectric80 said:
Gross weight on a stock K5 is 6200 with 3300 front and 3200 rear. I would say do the 4" lift, but add a set of zero rates to the rear. Change your backspacing on the wheels to push them out a little further, that should help a lot with the balance of the vehicle even with greater height. That is a nice chalet, although I have seen very few to compare it to.
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Thanks. The other side doesn't have near the body damage.

Any ideas on how long R.C. springs ought to last in this setup? Anybody ever buy from General?
 
Is the shackle flip really what you need for that kind of setup:dunno: ? I think springs all the way around, would be the best bet. You have hella load back there and I would think the stiffer the better. It is not like you are going to be flexing out on a bunch of rocks......:eek1: , although that would be neat to see:D

I think you are on the right track with the heavy duty setup with that weight. You already know you can't be NASCAR-like with that bad boy, I say lift it up.

Maybe someone else can chime in and add another perspective. ttt
 
Why not buy used 3/4 ton spring packs, repaint them yourself (dissassembled preferably), and add new poly bushings? Then if you want to lift it I'd stick to 2" lift max. Then you can use an add a leaf in the rear for that lift and give yourself more margin against sag. Its not hard to find good used 3/4 ton springs that haven't sagged.

2" front lift springs and 33" tires (285/75R16 would be best for weight rating) would complete the look nicely.
 
ORD sells a 2" shackle flip.

If it were me, I would put a 2" shackle flip out back with some 56"(3/4 ton) springs out back. Just have to flip the flips to the "wrong" sides and maybe move them back an inch or so.

Then install some simple 2.5" lift springs up front. No need to mess with steering or anything but maybe some shocks. And then you could fit some 33s.

X2 to what Kenny said, max I'd go is 2" and 33s.
 
I'd never paid attention to the fact that there was 2 different shackle flips. I think I see what your getting at here. A little lift, still get to use hd springs for long spring life, but using the longer ones will soften the ride.

I've read up on doing a standard shackle flip. However, if I move the shackle back will I have to drill new holes in the frame?
 
chalet2506 said:
I've read up on doing a standard shackle flip. However, if I move the shackle back will I have to drill new holes in the frame?
Click to expand...
That is a good possibility, which will require dropping the fuel tank.
 
kennyw said:
That is a good possibility, which will require dropping the fuel tank.
Click to expand...
I can do that. You guys definetely gave me an idea I hadn't thought about. I appreciate it.
 
If you do a shackle flip, that camper is gonna throw even more body roll on turns than just lift springs would. I love my 4" shackle flip, 6" shackle with stock 56" springs, but it flexes like crazy, and my body roll is all over the place. I dont mind it at all, but if i had that big camper back there, id be scared!

I would do the HD 4" springs all around, keep the stock shackle mounts.

OR you could do 3" of lift, and a zero rate front and rear, move both axles 1" or 1.5" forward and back.

Changing rims would help with stability, i dont think it would be a must tho. but you dont want to go with something outragous like my 2.5" BS. My tires stick out almost 4-5" past the fenders in front.
 
Woops, wasnt payin attention. General would be stock height springs.

I know Rough Country makes HD springs. More spring rate and stiffer. Look into it.

Call up Expert Offroad here in plano if you got any questions. PM me if you want the #.
 
Citizen Rider said:
If you do a shackle flip, that camper is gonna throw even more body roll on turns than just lift springs would. I love my 4" shackle flip, 6" shackle with stock 56" springs, but it flexes like crazy, and my body roll is all over the place. I dont mind it at all, but if i had that big camper back there, id be scared!
Click to expand...

Now I remember why I eliminated the shackle flip option a while back.:doah: Thanks dude. Rough Country has got the higher spring rate, I'm just thinking that with fewer leaves they won't retain their arch as long with all the weight.
 
You could get the Rough Countrys and if they do start to sag in back, 50 bucks on some Add-a-leafs. Thats what i would do.
 
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