Replacement Leaf Spring Questions

[argonaut]

I am looking at buying new leaf springs for my Blazer. My goal is the smoothest ride possible with just a minor lift. I am running 33x10.5R15 BFG AT KO2 tires on some 15x7" slots from a 70s Jeep Wagoneer.

I went and spoke to the guys at Deaver and unfortunately they wont build a 2" lift leaf pack. This was disappointing, but they dont seem willing to build a custom pack for me. Oh well. Only 4" which is too high for my needs with tire size and light offroad duty. So now I'm considering the following:

A) Skyjacker 2.5" lift spring set. These would be a little more lift than I want/need, and I'm assuming they'll be stiffer than stock. But I would consider removing one or two leaves from each pack to soften them up and lower just a bit. Question #1 for anyone using 2.5" lift Skyjacher Springs is: how compliant is the ride, compared to stock springs? Would you recommend them?

B) Replacement stock leaf springs from generalspringkc, sdtruckspring, etc. Coupled with a 1" zero-rate. Question #2 to those who have purchased stock replacement leaf springs is: Are these springs 3" wide at the eyes, and have tapered thickness, like the original springs?

I've done a little searching but havent seen a definitive answer. I'm wondering if they are just straight 2.5" wide like aftermarket lift springs.

It is my intent to run rubber bushings in whichever set of springs I go with.

I appreciate and help and answers to my two questions!

[DeadheadNM]

I have zero lift, stock height springs for my Blazer and K20 from Alcan Spring - same width as oem. The packs use more leaves than stock but are thinner - ride is much better than the old springs fwiw. Get some Teflon spring liners to replace the oem plastic liners between the springs and perches.

[hemi43]

I purchased The Tuff Country front springs with an advertised lift of 2". I installed them and it lifted the truck 3 1/2". Too high for me!
I took these new spring in to the local spring shop and had the de-arched a couple inches.
The rear springs were new off the shelf items, and I used a 1" spacer block to level the truck. The ride is awesome!
When I did the new springs, I also added a 73'up sway bar in the front. The combination of new springs and sway bar improved the ride and handling 10 fold, and is absolutely the best modification I could have done to my truck.

Here's a link to a post I made a while back. Some of the measurements may help you.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=754525

[simicrintz]

There are a couple of shops down by me that would build what you want. You are about an hour or so north of me so not a terrible drive for you. Let me know if you want info and I will get it for you.

[bluek5]

Just curious, have tried the wheels yet? If I remember correctly I had relive the backside of the wheels. The edge of the rear brake drums were hitting the backside of the wheel.

[BIG BLOCK JIMMY]

Hemi43, did you document the sway bar install? If so, please share the link.
Thank you

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by BIG BLOCK JIMMY

Hemi43, did you document the sway bar install? If so, please share the link.
Thank you

Not really, but it's basically a bolt in. Ideally, the front crossmember should be changed to a 73'up also. The only difference is a bit of clearance for the actual sway bar mounts. It`s difficult to explain without pictures, but all I did was modify the sway bar mounts slightly so that I could use the 71`crossmember .
As far as mounting at the axle, you will need the 71`up caps that go above the axle. They are the same as the older style but have a threaded hole for the sway bar to bolt to.You could in fact use the older style caps, but you`ll have to drill and tap them so you can bolt the sway bar to them.
I regret now for not taking pictures of it.

[oski6754]

I believe Atlas Suspension in the City of Industry can make you a custom pack that will perform just the way you want. http://atlassuspension.com/

Originally Posted by argonaut

I am looking at buying new leaf springs for my Blazer. My goal is the smoothest ride possible with just a minor lift. I am running 33x10.5R15 BFG AT KO2 tires on some 15x7" slots from a 70s Jeep Wagoneer.

I went and spoke to the guys at Deaver and unfortunately they wont build a 2" lift leaf pack. This was disappointing, but they dont seem willing to build a custom pack for me. Oh well. Only 4" which is too high for my needs with tire size and light offroad duty. So now I'm considering the following:

A) Skyjacker 2.5" lift spring set. These would be a little more lift than I want/need, and I'm assuming they'll be stiffer than stock. But I would consider removing one or two leaves from each pack to soften them up and lower just a bit. Question #1 for anyone using 2.5" lift Skyjacher Springs is: how compliant is the ride, compared to stock springs? Would you recommend them?

B) Replacement stock leaf springs from generalspringkc, sdtruckspring, etc. Coupled with a 1" zero-rate. Question #2 to those who have purchased stock replacement leaf springs is: Are these springs 3" wide at the eyes, and have tapered thickness, like the original springs?

I've done a little searching but havent seen a definitive answer. I'm wondering if they are just straight 2.5" wide like aftermarket lift springs.

It is my intent to run rubber bushings in whichever set of springs I go with.

I appreciate and help and answers to my two questions!

[Richard]

Originally Posted by oski6754

I believe Atlas Suspension in the City of Industry can make you a custom pack that will perform just the way you want. http://atlassuspension.com/

Was going to recommend Atlas as another source myself.
http://www.mcssl.com/store/atlassusp...2-k10k1500-4x4

[argonaut]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

I have zero lift, stock height springs for my Blazer and K20 from Alcan Spring - same width as oem. The packs use more leaves than stock but are thinner - ride is much better than the old springs fwiw. Get some Teflon spring liners to replace the oem plastic liners between the springs and perches.

Deadhead, that sounds like what I'm interested in. I'll call Alcan to find out more. But do you happen to recall about how much did they set you back for a set?

[argonaut]

Originally Posted by simicrintz

There are a couple of shops down by me that would build what you want. You are about an hour or so north of me so not a terrible drive for you. Let me know if you want info and I will get it for you.

Thanks, Bruce. I'm looking for something stock or 1-2" higher with a larger number of thin leaves.

[argonaut]

Originally Posted by bluek5

Just curious, have tried the wheels yet? If I remember correctly I had relive the backside of the wheels. The edge of the rear brake drums were hitting the backside of the wheel.

Blue,
I did in fact get a set of 33x10.5 BFG ATs and mount them on the Jeep slots. I have 1.5" wheel spacers on the back, so I'm not really sure if there would be interference with the drum.
On the front, they did lightly kiss the bent edge of the caliper mount bracket so I had to grind the edge off of the brackets.
But I really like that these wheels have a nice neutral offset and with the 10.5" section width tires the handling and steering is much improved. For me, high offset wheels look great, but handle terribly.
What I also like about these is that they mount with a standard 60-degree taper lug nuts, rather than the shoulder lug nuts used on the normal mag wheels.

[argonaut]

Originally Posted by Richard

Was going to recommend Atlas as another source myself.
http://www.mcssl.com/store/atlassusp...2-k10k1500-4x4

Miles and Richard,
Thanks! I forgot about Atlas. Its nice that they're local so I wouldn't have to pay hefty shipping. I'll have to give them a call this week and see how they build the springs.

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by argonaut

Deadhead, that sounds like what I'm interested in. I'll call Alcan to find out more. But do you happen to recall about how much did they set you back for a set?

I seem to recall about $1100 with shipping. USA made, USA steel. I’m sure they could bump it up an 1” over stock too if that’s the height you are after. I’ve been pleased with stock height on 33” tires.

[simicrintz]

Originally Posted by argonaut

Thanks, Bruce. I'm looking for something stock or 1-2" higher with a larger number of thin leaves.

These are the guys I would call (I have used them before with great success):

https://eandcspring.com/

Been around forever and should be able to give you a quote over the phone

[argonaut]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

I seem to recall about $1100 with shipping. USA made, USA steel. I’m sure they could bump it up an 1” over stock too if that’s the height you are after. I’ve been pleased with stock height on 33” tires.

That sounds pretty good. I also think that stock height is pretty functional for 33" tires. But I know my leafs are a little tired and I'm wondering how much, if any, higher the truck will be with just new stock leaf springs.

[DeadheadNM]

I’d guess a good 1” if those are oem springs. Here are mine w stock height Alcan springs and 33” tires.

[Richard]

Have been told by several sources that Deaver or Atlas do not build their own springs anymore. It may have something to do with running the kilns here in California, maybe costs as well. It is my understanding their springs are made to spec for them. Both company's stand behind their product. Benefit to going with either one (as you are within driving distance) is they still do tune and modify on site. Will be using a Deaver spring from the later Chevy truck on my truck. Fully expect to need it modified. As my build is custom, even if I had specific springs made I would still expect to need them adjusted.

[CJM72]

Originally Posted by hemi43

I purchased The Tuff Country front springs with an advertised lift of 2". I installed them and it lifted the truck 3 1/2". Too high for me!
I took these new spring in to the local spring shop and had the de-arched a couple inches.
The rear springs were new off the shelf items, and I used a 1" spacer block to level the truck. The ride is awesome!
When I did the new springs, I also added a 73'up sway bar in the front. The combination of new springs and sway bar improved the ride and handling 10 fold, and is absolutely the best modification I could have done to my truck.

Here's a link to a post I made a while back. Some of the measurements may help you.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=754525

Hemi, I've read your build thread and your leaf spring thread, but I haven't seen any pictures that show how much clearance you ended up with between your diff and oil pan/cross member. Are you comfortable at this stockish height that you aren't going to put the differential into the motor? I have a similar LS swap with exception that I used the Dirty Dingo cross member. T-Case is in the stock position and I'm afraid that if I stay with a minor lift that I'll run into clearance problems when I hit my first major pot hole! I have worn out stock springs with an add-a-leaf in the front and what appears to be 2-3" blocks out back. I love your Blazer and hope to have a similar stance. Thanks!

[CJM72]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

I’d guess a good 1” if those are oem springs. Here are mine w stock height Alcan springs and 33” tires.

Hi Deadhead! For everyone's reference, Do you know the measurements from the ground to fender lip or tire to fender lip with these stock height springs and 33" tires? So hard to know how much sag everything has without some 'as knew' reference numbers.

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by CJM72

Hemi, I've read your build thread and your leaf spring thread, but I haven't seen any pictures that show how much clearance you ended up with between your diff and oil pan/cross member. Are you comfortable at this stockish height that you aren't going to put the differential into the motor? I have a similar LS swap with exception that I used the Dirty Dingo cross member. T-Case is in the stock position and I'm afraid that if I stay with a minor lift that I'll run into clearance problems when I hit my first major pot hole! I have worn out stock springs with an add-a-leaf in the front and what appears to be 2-3" blocks out back. I love your Blazer and hope to have a similar stance. Thanks!

I made my own front cross member, and with the stock worn out springs it would touch the diff slightly when hitting a speed bump or something similar. Now with the new springs, there's no way it would hit. I have the truck in storage for the winter so can't take a pic of the clearance.

[Blazerowner]

Not sure if anyone mentioned this but I had Off-road Design build me a lift with a rear shackle flip. I went with 3” total lift but they offer 2”. They have the springs custom built to how you want the ride. It’s a little pricey but not insane.

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by CJM72

Hi Deadhead! For everyone's reference, Do you know the measurements from the ground to fender lip or tire to fender lip with these stock height springs and 33" tires? So hard to know how much sag everything has without some 'as knew' reference numbers.

I’ll get numbers ASAP. Like hemi, my trucks are in hibernation

[argonaut]

Originally Posted by Blazerowner

Not sure if anyone mentioned this but I had Off-road Design build me a lift with a rear shackle flip. I went with 3” total lift but they offer 2”. They have the springs custom built to how you want the ride. It’s a little pricey but not insane.

ORD gets their "custom" springs from Deaver here in Santa Ana, Ca.
With the shackle flip bracket they can tune the lift height, using Deaver's typical 4" lift springs.

[argonaut]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

I’ll get numbers ASAP. Like hemi, my trucks are in hibernation

It would be awesome if you could get reference numbers front and rear. I usually like to get a measurement from a fixed point on the axle up to the frame, to avoid discrepancies with tires sizes and wear...but fender heights are definitely appreciated and better than nothing!