Blazer rear suspension question
 

Howdy all--- Mostly on the truck side browsin but just picked up a 77 K5 2wd and have been hangin out on the Blazer/Burb board. Ive been lookin at past threads and it looks like mine has the common rear leaf spring sagging issue. I liked the slightly lower stance in the rear so I took the front springs out and cut a coil out of each one and now the front sits exactly how i want, with a slight rake, but now the rear needs to come down just a hair more. On the rear, there is some kind of spacer between the leaf springs and the perch on top of the axle .My question is can that spacer be taken out to bring the rear down a little? I dont recall ever seeing anything like that on the rear of the 2wd pickups, correct me if im wrong. Was looking in an LMC catalog at the breakdown of the rear suspension, and they just call it a "spacer". Thanks in advance for any input.

Re: Blazer rear suspension question
 

Make sure its not an angle slim. If you take it out you can mess up your pinion angle.

Re: Blazer rear suspension question
 

Just went and measured thickness-- 1/2 inch thick front and back so I dont think pinion angle will be effected but thanks for the heads up Gemp. Thinkin maybe its got something to do with the bolt that holds the leaf spring pack together.

Re: Blazer rear suspension question
 

You should be good then. Both the spring pad and the plate should have enough clearance for the bolt.

Re: Blazer rear suspension question
 

My '79 2wd had the same spacer, it was something like 1/4" or maybe 1/2". It was not tapered so I left it off. You can safely discard it.

Re: Blazer rear suspension question
 

Thanks for the info gentlemen. Gonna snatch them out this weekend. Will try to get some pics up also.

Re: Blazer rear suspension question
 

Finally got digital camera lined out and have a couple of before and after pics. Its my DD, so just making little improvements here and there. Amazing what some spray paint, window tint and small altitude adjustment will do.

Re: Blazer rear suspension question
 

That's a dang nice driver. Did you paint the rear qtr? The before pic looks like the red doesn't match but it looks OK in the after pictures.

Re: Blazer rear suspension question
 

Thanks bruiser-- the pics make it look better than it really is. I did a quick rattlecan job on the quarter in the driveway, which still is far from matching, but looks much better than it did. I wound up having to work most of the weekend so didnt get those spacers out of the rear so thats gonna prob happen one night this week. I really like the look of your blazer by the way. The 10s all the way around look wicked. Thinkin bout a couple out back eventually on mine.

Re: Blazer rear suspension question
 

Thank you, sir! Very few like the 15's anymore, much less 15x10's. I'm 41 so old-school is the only way for me.

You're selling yourself short on the rear qtr repaint. I'm sure you know where all the flaws are and can point them out, but it matches now - at least at camera distance - and the mismatch look is gone. The stance looks great now but the rear is going to be hugging the tires when you get those blocks out. Nice job.

Re: Blazer rear suspension question
 

Thanks to you also bruiser.... Im 38, so im with ya on the "old school" look! Those pics in my driveway make it look more level than it is. Im thinkin without those spacers, should put the rear right where i want it. Ill try to get a couple more pics up when im done.

Re: Blazer rear suspension question
 

Try these for center caps. They're cheaper by a mile than 73-87 center caps and work very well with the rally's.

That's what I have on mine. Just a suggestion since yours are missing the center labels.

Re: Blazer rear suspension question
 

looks good bud, like the color combo too!

Re: Blazer rear suspension question
 

Thanks for the compliments gentlemen! Oh, and bruiser... I picked these up off ebay about 4 months ago to go with the rallies on my 84 shorty, but I think they will wind up on the blazer. I guess great minds DO think alike!!! :metal:

Re: Blazer rear suspension question
 

Cool - those are the ticket on the 73-87 rally's, they work really well with that wheel.

On the beauty rings, try some Mequire's Hot Rims wheel polish - it works very well, especially with a polishing wheel on a drill or die grinder. Those look to be in great shape so a good polish should match them up well with the new 88-98 center caps you have.

Keep the pictures coming, that's a great looking truck.