72 K5 Build - Who's Running 52's up front

[6600DURAMAX]

Need some input from guys actually running 52's up front.

Current Build is a 72 K5 - looking for 8'' lift and 35/37'' tire combo

Already have a B52 kit mocked up on my crewcab frame but looking to switch it over to the K5

Everything I read say the sway can be controlled with a sway bar and to utilize some ORD disconnects to allow the flex ( on and off the street).

Can I get some realworld input from some of you out there with the 52's before I cut off my factory hangers ?

Also- I heard that you can run the longer 47'' front springs from a 73-87 sqaurebody by using a "Boomerang Shackle'' - any experience with this?

thanks

[52napco]

I'm running stock length Alcans on my K5 and love them..

[6600DURAMAX]

52napco - What size lift? What did they run you?

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by 6600DURAMAX

52napco - What size lift? What did they run you?

Earlier in the year I was quoted about 1300 for 4” lift stock length springs for my K20.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Earlier in the year I was quoted about 1300 for 4” lift stock length springs for my K20.

Was that for two or four springs?

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by Richard

Was that for two or four springs?

That was for all four springs and nothing else. You can buy the u bolts and nuts from them but that wasn’t included in the quote. Figure another $5-700 on u bolts, shocks, brake hoses, steering corrections etc and you should be pretty close to final cost.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

That was for all four springs and nothing else. You can buy the u bolts and nuts from them but that wasn’t included in the quote. Figure another $5-700 on u bolts, shocks, brake hoses, steering corrections etc and you should be pretty close to final cost.

$5 to $700 is a pretty big margin, lol. Pretty sure that is a typo, $500-$700. As long as you stick with production type shocks that would be accurate. When you get into King or Fox performance shocks it will quadruple that top number. What I thought on the springs, price comparable to Deaver. Hope info helps the OP.

[6600DURAMAX]

No one on here is running 52's up front ?

Looked at OffRoad Unlimited sway bar yesterday as well - will most likely run that setup

Want to hear from you guys!!

[Richard]

Originally was planning to run 52's up front. Had the DIY4X kit in hand and sold it. Also was planning custom 52's from Deaver as well. Decided to go 4 link with coil over in the front. I am confident springs from Deaver, Alcon or Atlas would make most people extremely happy on a daily driver. Even at the stock length. Huge difference from the other manufacturers. Springs from the custom manufacturers will probably run about $600-$800 pair.

[6600DURAMAX]

What kept you from installing the 52's with the DIYU kit ?

[Richard]

Originally Posted by 6600DURAMAX

What kept you from installing the 52's with the DIYU kit ?

Sorry, missed your post. I believe if you quote the post responding to a notification would be sent. Looks like a great kit, few reasons I did not use it. Did not want to run old used rear springs. They would not get me to height I wanted. Once I factored in the the cost of a custom set of Deavers for the front. The decision to go coil-over became easier. I have created a lot more work for myself but in the end will have a smoother ride, more articulation and maybe 14"+ inches of wheel travel at the front (depending on tire clearance). Lastly it is different.

[Zoomad75]

52" springs up front provide a bang for the buck when it comes to lift and flexibility but it does come at a cost. Most that I know that have done it rave about how they flex out on rocks and off road. On-road manners suffer with a lot of sway and the springs tend to wear out quicky if pushed hard off road.

Part of the issue comes in for the road manners is the stock sway bar setup won't work due to the required change to cross-over steering. ORD does sell a new sway bar kit that works with cross-over steering to address the sway issue though.

So I guess to answer the question with a question is what is the intended use of the K5 with 8" of lift and only 35-37" tires? An early K5 can clear 35"s pretty easy with only 4" of lift. Here's my take, unless you want max flex on the cheap and plan on serious rock crawling the 52's are a quick way to go. If you plan on running this on the street regularly I'd look into some stock length custom springs or at least Tuff Country EZ rides. They will still flex well, but work with the stock steering and sway bar and hold decent road manners.