Smaller Tires or Shackle Flip?

[cpavelko]

Hello,
Just wanted to get some peoples opinion on this from experience on what would be better. I currently have 35x12.5x15" tires with a 4" block lift on the back of my Blazer. The tires are positioned too far to the front due to the lift. I'd like to do the classic shackle flip but would that buy me any clearance wit hthe tires I have? If I just go with smaller tires for now such as 31's or 32's, would that allow me to have more clearance? Should I look into cutting the rear wheel well to allow better clearance? Just looking to make the truck functional when taking it on some simple trails. I don't need a ton of clearance so downsizing the tires wouldn't hurt me there.

Here is a pic of my buddy acting like a dork in the Blazer but you can see the clearance issue.

[fxdxharley]

your best bet would be to loose the blocks and get new springs. off road design makes lift springs that will reposition the axle in the correct spot. there is several build here that use them. look threw the build section.

[1972_K5]

ORD makes a zero rate leaf that you could add which allows you to mount your axle centered, forward, or back. Would probably be the lest expensive fix and would correct the droop that you have in the back.
http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/Zero%20Rates.htm

[SeventyOne]

Dont cut it!

If it were me and I wasn't doing it on the cheap...

shackle flip, no lift block, and a 1" lift zero rate to move the axle back. If you want to spend even more...go with new rear springs too. Stock height.

Will be nice.

How are the tread on the tires? If you need new tires anyways you could go to 33"s and get even more clearance but that's up to you.

[cpavelko]

Back from the dead!

Finally got around to do the shackle flip (DIY4x). Measured the axle position as it sits on the springs and to center it in the wheel well it seems like it would need to shift back 3.25 inches. This should allow the clearance I need for the 35" tires (which have plenty of tread left).

I was going to fabricate some plates to offset the axle back but had concerns of offsetting the spring back that far and also probably need to look into the drive shaft slip yoke, it seems to be maxed out so may need a different drive shaft.

- Would shifting the axle back 3.25" on the stock springs with the shackle flip be ok?
- Any suggestion on a driveshaft to grab? Maybe a 4x4 short bed driveshaft?

If this doesn't work out, I may have to go with new springs or smaller tires to clear the wheel wells. I don't want this to be too much of a money pit.

[cpavelko]

Saw this posted from this thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=378271


The 56" springs will bolt up with no modifications. I will tell you that the pin is not in the exact center of the spring, it's offset. But in my case that was a good thing. When i did the shackle flip on my 1970 with the stock 52" springs, my axle got pushed forward about 2 inches, and i had to use the ORD 1" add-a-leaf blocks to move the axle back so it was centered in the wheel well. Might not be as bad on longbeds, but on my shortbed it was very apparent and i would definitely plan on getting the ORD add-a-leaf kit if you go with stock length springs. I switched to 56" springs and it alleviated the problem completely. Plus, with the stock length springs the shackle angle is terrible, the shackle will be straight up and down and it will take more energy to move it, and you'll have a rougher ride. If i were you i would order the shackle flip, and tuff country ez-ride 2" springs for a 73-87 truck. Call tuff country to verify the length of their springs. Hope that helps.

I'm assuming I could pull a set of 56" springs from a 73-87 chevy and it should help with the wheel center issue and give a softer ride at the same time?

[Chulisohombre]

If your springs are still ok in the rear a shackle flip will move them back a lil bit. That and a zero rate in the reverse position will put it centered or a lil rearward again. Then you may need a shim or shift the spring perches to get the pinion pointed correct again if there is vibration. You might be ok on your stock driveshaft but won't know til you do the flip.

[2003 silverado]

I have a 4IN on mine and I believe the rear blocks have the Pin /hole Off set for that problem???