Another lift kit question.. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1969k10stepside · 12-07-2006, 08:03 PM

Ok,Im getting close to the part of my project where the lift kit goes on.My rear springs are junk so I am wanting to just get a lift kit with rear springs.I am leaning on going with a 4 inch lift and 35's for it.My question is which lift kit would be good for a swb 71 K10 in a 4 inch lift with all 4 new springs?It had a 6 inch lift on it but I thought it was a little to big for it.Where is the best place to buy them and how much does a lift kit with all 4 new springs usually cost?Does a 4 inch all spring lift have a shackel flip because I am leaning against that?Also do they require the spring hangers to moved?The lift that was on it required the rear hangers to be moved.The truck will be a D.D./ Garage Queen

/off roader in its spare time.

**Zoomad75** · 12-07-2006, 08:22 PM

all spring kits are just that. They don't incorporate a shackle flip. Most shackle flips net 4" by themselves with stock springs, so if you added a 4" spring on top of that you would double what your front springs lifted the truck.

I've never heard of an all spring lift that required movement of the spring hangers. Something don't sound right there. 99.9% of leaf spring lifts bolt right into the existing spring mounts. If the 6 inch springs required the hanger to be relocated I'd wonder if they are the wrong length. (like using a 56" 3/4 ton spring on a a 1/2 ton 52" spring truck)

A shackle flip does require the replacement of the spring hanger, but most use the stock holes in the frame so they are not moved.

Personally, I'm partial to the shackle flip. Ride is better and flexes better. Still got the 4" worth of lift, just with a nice, soft, flat spring. Just get a kit that has springs for the front, block in the rear. Ditch the blocks, find some decent stock 1/2 ton springs and get a flip kit. The lift kit with just front springs plus a shackle flip would be about the same cost as getting an all spring kit. The only added cost would be replacing the 6" rear springs you have now with some stock 1/2 ton rear springs.

With the pile of rigs you have, you might even have some stock springs laying around.

1969k10stepside · 12-07-2006, 08:32 PM

The 6 inch lift kit on it was a block lift and if I remember correctly it had a shackle flip too.I unfortunatly with all the trucks and parts I have dont have any good springs.I didnt know the springs werent good until I removed the blocks and found a spring cracked.Here is a pic of the rear spring hanger.It isnt a great pic but all I have at the moment
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Name: Pic733.jpg
Views: 4678
Size: 67.2 KB

Blue_71 · 12-07-2006, 08:53 PM

which truck is that on, the 71 swb?

that pic has the hanger in the stock direction, so its not a shackle flip.. it just looks to me like someone put a longer spring in... 73+ maybe?

1969k10stepside · 12-07-2006, 08:57 PM

Thats on the 71 swb.I figured it was a shackel flip because it didnt look like the ones on my 69 lwb.I will have to meausure them I guess.I need some measurements from a stock swb I guess to check the location of the stock hangers but those appear to have been moved,you can sort of see where stock location was

Blue_71 · 12-07-2006, 09:00 PM

ah gotcha. someone may correct me on this, but im 99% sure thats how they're supposed to go from the factory. but then again, mines a k20 so who knows whats different,

. i would peg that as a later model spring though

**Zoomad75** · 12-08-2006, 12:36 AM

That is most definately a stock hanger/shackle setup right there. It has been moved forward but I don't know why.

A shackle flip ends up pointing the shackle down opposite to the stock setup. Here's a pic of Sky's hanger:

Burt4x4 · 12-08-2006, 10:32 AM

One thing to keep in mind when buying per-made all spring lift is most ALL pre-fabed springs are made to Pick-up weight specs..NOT Blazers. WHat that means is your 4" front and 4" rear springs will not sit level...saggy butt synrome. The rear of a Blazer is much heavier than a Pickup..especially when the hardtop is on.
I put 4" Ranchos up front with 5.5" Superlift rears and with my hard top on my K5 sat level. With the hardtop off I have a slight stinkbug look but I like that WAY better than a saggy butt....
Now that my springs have been on for several years they have 'setteled' in and even with my hardtop gone now my rig is perrty much level...ofcoarse I added more weight to the rear with my bumper and swing out tire gate.
Something to consider.....

1969k10stepside · 12-08-2006, 10:42 AM

Well,I guess I will be moving the spring hanger back to the stock location if I can figure out why it was moved.Atleast it will be easy because the hangers just bolt on.

Burt4x4 · 12-08-2006, 03:14 PM

ooopss just relized you have a pickup and not a blazer..sorry..one track mind...

msgross · 12-08-2006, 04:48 PM

remember that 67-68's have longer rear springs than 69 & newer. Maybe your frame isn't as new as you thought and someone moved it forward to put newer springs on it. Look at the 4x4 companies that sell springs and you can't find old 68 springs for a lift, only blocks! Here is my 68 SWB spring locations.

1969k10stepside · 12-08-2006, 05:22 PM

I will keep that in mind.I guess I need to run the VIN on the frame

msgross · 12-08-2006, 07:21 PM

measure your springs (eye to eye) I think the two sizes are 52" and 56" but don't quote me. My 68 has the longer ones. Take some more pics and I can compare measurements for ya.

1969k10stepside · 12-08-2006, 07:24 PM

Well,its the original frame,the 67-70s had different front spring hangers than the 71-72 and the front ones are correct for the 71 model and are still riveted to the frame.I will get some new batteries for my camera and get out to the shop to measure the springs tomorrow when I get back from looking at two 4x4 parts trucks

1969k10stepside · 12-09-2006, 10:02 PM

Started a thread here asking for info for anyone reading this has info and wants to reply:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=218982

Critter · 12-21-2006, 05:59 PM

From what I have seen, a rear shackle flip will cause the axel to sit farther forward due to the change in geometry. First off, am I right on that?

Second, I am dealing with a 72 k5 blazer (1/2 ton springs) which I believe came stock with the 52” spring. Can I somehow use a 56” spring to put the axel back in its correct location? I’m sure I would have to drill new holes in the rear of the frame because the shackle flip would no longer be able to use the original rivet holes. Am I making this harder than it really is?

1969k10stepside · 12-21-2006, 06:02 PM

The shackel flip will move the axle forward.I dont know about using 56" springs but I am sure it can be done and probably has been done.

12-07-2006, 08:03 PM	#1
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,020	Another lift kit question.. Ok,Im getting close to the part of my project where the lift kit goes on.My rear springs are junk so I am wanting to just get a lift kit with rear springs.I am leaning on going with a 4 inch lift and 35's for it.My question is which lift kit would be good for a swb 71 K10 in a 4 inch lift with all 4 new springs?It had a 6 inch lift on it but I thought it was a little to big for it.Where is the best place to buy them and how much does a lift kit with all 4 new springs usually cost?Does a 4 inch all spring lift have a shackel flip because I am leaning against that?Also do they require the spring hangers to moved?The lift that was on it required the rear hangers to be moved.The truck will be a D.D./ Garage Queen /off roader in its spare time.

12-07-2006, 08:22 PM	#2
Zoomad75 K5Camper Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pueblo, CO Posts: 1,513	Re: Another lift kit question.. all spring kits are just that. They don't incorporate a shackle flip. Most shackle flips net 4" by themselves with stock springs, so if you added a 4" spring on top of that you would double what your front springs lifted the truck. I've never heard of an all spring lift that required movement of the spring hangers. Something don't sound right there. 99.9% of leaf spring lifts bolt right into the existing spring mounts. If the 6 inch springs required the hanger to be relocated I'd wonder if they are the wrong length. (like using a 56" 3/4 ton spring on a a 1/2 ton 52" spring truck) A shackle flip does require the replacement of the spring hanger, but most use the stock holes in the frame so they are not moved. Personally, I'm partial to the shackle flip. Ride is better and flexes better. Still got the 4" worth of lift, just with a nice, soft, flat spring. Just get a kit that has springs for the front, block in the rear. Ditch the blocks, find some decent stock 1/2 ton springs and get a flip kit. The lift kit with just front springs plus a shackle flip would be about the same cost as getting an all spring kit. The only added cost would be replacing the 6" rear springs you have now with some stock 1/2 ton rear springs. With the pile of rigs you have, you might even have some stock springs laying around. __________________ Rob Z. 1975 K5 350/465/205/D44/12b 4" lift on 35's- RIP 1991 K5 8.1L/NV4500/241/D44/14b FWC Camper

12-07-2006, 08:32 PM	#3
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,020	Re: Another lift kit question.. The 6 inch lift kit on it was a block lift and if I remember correctly it had a shackle flip too.I unfortunatly with all the trucks and parts I have dont have any good springs.I didnt know the springs werent good until I removed the blocks and found a spring cracked.Here is a pic of the rear spring hanger.It isnt a great pic but all I have at the moment

12-07-2006, 08:57 PM	#5
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,020	Re: Another lift kit question.. Thats on the 71 swb.I figured it was a shackel flip because it didnt look like the ones on my 69 lwb.I will have to meausure them I guess.I need some measurements from a stock swb I guess to check the location of the stock hangers but those appear to have been moved,you can sort of see where stock location was Last edited by 1969k10stepside; 12-07-2006 at 08:59 PM.

12-07-2006, 09:00 PM	#6
Blue_71 Bloo Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Barren County Kentucky Posts: 6,285	Re: Another lift kit question.. ah gotcha. someone may correct me on this, but im 99% sure thats how they're supposed to go from the factory. but then again, mines a k20 so who knows whats different, . i would peg that as a later model spring though

12-08-2006, 12:36 AM	#7
Zoomad75 K5Camper Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pueblo, CO Posts: 1,513	Re: Another lift kit question.. That is most definately a stock hanger/shackle setup right there. It has been moved forward but I don't know why. A shackle flip ends up pointing the shackle down opposite to the stock setup. Here's a pic of Sky's hanger: __________________ Rob Z. 1975 K5 350/465/205/D44/12b 4" lift on 35's- RIP 1991 K5 8.1L/NV4500/241/D44/14b FWC Camper

12-08-2006, 10:32 AM	#8
Burt4x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,842	Re: Another lift kit question.. One thing to keep in mind when buying per-made all spring lift is most ALL pre-fabed springs are made to Pick-up weight specs..NOT Blazers. WHat that means is your 4" front and 4" rear springs will not sit level...saggy butt synrome. The rear of a Blazer is much heavier than a Pickup..especially when the hardtop is on. I put 4" Ranchos up front with 5.5" Superlift rears and with my hard top on my K5 sat level. With the hardtop off I have a slight stinkbug look but I like that WAY better than a saggy butt.... Now that my springs have been on for several years they have 'setteled' in and even with my hardtop gone now my rig is perrty much level...ofcoarse I added more weight to the rear with my bumper and swing out tire gate. Something to consider..... __________________ 1972 K5 MPFI454/Sm465/Np205/D60/14FFd/Re-Centerd H1s w/Swamper Iroks

12-08-2006, 10:42 AM	#9
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,020	Re: Another lift kit question.. Well,I guess I will be moving the spring hanger back to the stock location if I can figure out why it was moved.Atleast it will be easy because the hangers just bolt on.

12-08-2006, 03:14 PM	#10
Burt4x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,842	Re: Another lift kit question.. ooopss just relized you have a pickup and not a blazer..sorry..one track mind... __________________ 1972 K5 MPFI454/Sm465/Np205/D60/14FFd/Re-Centerd H1s w/Swamper Iroks

12-08-2006, 04:48 PM	#11
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: Another lift kit question.. remember that 67-68's have longer rear springs than 69 & newer. Maybe your frame isn't as new as you thought and someone moved it forward to put newer springs on it. Look at the 4x4 companies that sell springs and you can't find old 68 springs for a lift, only blocks! Here is my 68 SWB spring locations. Attached Images Last edited by msgross; 12-08-2006 at 04:51 PM.

12-08-2006, 05:22 PM	#12
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,020	Re: Another lift kit question.. I will keep that in mind.I guess I need to run the VIN on the frame

12-08-2006, 07:21 PM	#13
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: Another lift kit question.. measure your springs (eye to eye) I think the two sizes are 52" and 56" but don't quote me. My 68 has the longer ones. Take some more pics and I can compare measurements for ya.

12-08-2006, 07:24 PM	#14
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,020	Re: Another lift kit question.. Well,its the original frame,the 67-70s had different front spring hangers than the 71-72 and the front ones are correct for the 71 model and are still riveted to the frame.I will get some new batteries for my camera and get out to the shop to measure the springs tomorrow when I get back from looking at two 4x4 parts trucks Last edited by 1969k10stepside; 12-08-2006 at 07:25 PM.

12-09-2006, 10:02 PM	#15
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,020	Re: Another lift kit question.. Started a thread here asking for info for anyone reading this has info and wants to reply:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=218982 Last edited by 1969k10stepside; 12-09-2006 at 10:03 PM.

12-21-2006, 05:59 PM	#16
Critter Future TOTM Winner Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bulverde, TX Posts: 2,692	Re: Another lift kit question.. From what I have seen, a rear shackle flip will cause the axel to sit farther forward due to the change in geometry. First off, am I right on that? Second, I am dealing with a 72 k5 blazer (1/2 ton springs) which I believe came stock with the 52” spring. Can I somehow use a 56” spring to put the axel back in its correct location? I’m sure I would have to drill new holes in the rear of the frame because the shackle flip would no longer be able to use the original rivet holes. Am I making this harder than it really is? __________________ 72 Chevy CST K5 HIGHLANDER BLAZER Getting a 6.0,NV4500,NP205,14BFF (Currently laying all over the place in little pieces) 72 Chevy swb step-side "LS" 6.0 Here's a build thread of sorts 2002 HD2500 Crew Cab, 8.1L Allison 4x4 Daily Driver Check it out www.lsdyno.com



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12-21-2006, 06:02 PM	#17
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,020	Re: Another lift kit question.. The shackel flip will move the axle forward.I dont know about using 56" springs but I am sure it can be done and probably has been done.

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