Would it be retarded to go back to stock?

[COCHEV]

So, OP, or any of you other guys actuall doing this? I'm thinking if my truck doesn't sell, this will be what I do also. Getting tools out of a 6" lifted rig is getting really old.

only drag is a preliminary budget is getting close to 500 bucks or better. not sure if its worth it. I have 4' blocks and AALs in the rear. I will be keeping the AALs cause I have a canopy and sometimes haul a trailer. so the front will need either 2" springs or maybe stock 3 leaf with a zero rate and shackles...

Also, I have to factor in shorter shocks, new U bolts, a shorter front drive line and my time and labor.

then there is the issue of either stuffing in my 35s or the cost of new tires (33s)...

other option is to steal the 1/2 ton drive train from the K5- 3.42s and 31s. but this might be too much downgrading of the work rig. and having 2 rigs torn apart instead of one

comments, concerns...crazy idea

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Eh, just take some time and collect the parts. Parts store trips here, CK5 spree there, and before long you'd have it.

I say run 33's. Bet if you asked around you could find someone to trade you your 35's for some good 33's.

 

[Pookster]

I havent changed anything yet. Still in the restore process. i wanted to feel confident that I could drive this truck, any way I wanted, without fear or being stranded. That meant upgrading the rear. 410's and 33's seem like a good fit for the 700r4, wont put a lot of stress on the OD. But Im also getting older, and what was cool to jump into the truck.. is getting kinda old. Not saying it wasnt more capable off road (the articulation of a flip rear and sway bar disco in the front was amazing) but for DD duties, it was getting annoying.

One of the things that I feel like Im the only one that experiences, is that because the rear's spring rates were so soft, I had a lot more... bounce in the rear, which transmitted into excessive steering wheel movement. Then under breaking, the now changed suspension geometry and the soft rear allowed a lot of weight transfer to the front, which caused the springs to compress, and create steering wheel input changes (up to 3-4 inches). The truck braked straight just fine.. with the hands off the steering wheel.

Then I also had a bit of drive line vibe and that was annoying too, even with a CV axle.

I think I might order a 2" stock set of springs.. and go from there.,

 

[14-Bolt]

If its your daily driver I could see holding back, but you don.t throw 1 tons under a rig to take it back down to stock height. I drive an old 86 s10 blazer, just so I can keep dumping money and good parts into my k5

 

[Bowtie85]

I am DD'ing my GF's 84 K5. Ran it for a year with no lift and 33's. Picked up a used 4 inch rancho lift. Fired that on and it rides much better than the sagged out front springs it had.

Also just swapped from 3.08's to 3.73's which has made the biggest difference so far I feel.

For a weekend warrior/DD I dont think I would want anything bigger. Being a super short wheel base it gets around good offroad I find.

 

[Pookster]

Actually, the only limitation from stock that I experienced, was that the rear overhang was kinda low- On certain trails the hitch would actually bottom out. Hence lifting. I would like a little stiffer rear though. Maybe I'll just get a standard 4" lift springs.