Putting 87 Blazer springs and axles under a 67 Long bed

[67custom4x4]

I am new to the board and have not been able to find any info on this with a search so I thought I would ask. I have a 87 K5 Blazer, and a 67 Long bed Pick up. I am wanting to put the 3/4 ton axles along with the leaf springs under my 3/4 ton 1967 long bed. Does anyone have any info on this mod. The reason I am wanting to do this mod is the lift kit for the 87 is half the price of the 67. And also the 87 already has a 4" Lift that I would like to have under my 67. I also have an extra set of 1/2 ton axles to go back under the blazer. Thanks for any info. that you guys have.

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by 67custom4x4

I am new to the board and have not been able to find any info on this with a search so I thought I would ask. I have a 87 K5 Blazer, and a 67 Long bed Pick up. I am wanting to put the 3/4 ton axles along with the leaf springs under my 3/4 ton 1967 long bed. Does anyone have any info on this mod. The reason I am wanting to do this mod is the lift kit for the 87 is half the price of the 67. And also the 87 already has a 4" Lift that I would like to have under my 67. I also have an extra set of 1/2 ton axles to go back under the blazer. Thanks for any info. that you guys have.

The reason for the price differential is weight carrying ability.

The K5 springs are rated for far less then the K20, but you've probably thought of that? Also,the late model springs are longer, so you may have to move suspension mounts. I went the other way, I installed 3/4 ton late model springs in my 71 K5 project.

The front axle is a bolt in, the rear will probably need the spring pads moved to line up with the springs.

[67custom4x4]

Originally Posted by grendel

The reason for the price differential is weight carrying ability.

The K5 springs are rated for far less then the K20, but you've probably thought of that? Also,the late model springs are longer, so you may have to move suspension mounts. I went the other way, I installed 3/4 ton late model springs in my 71 K5 project.

The front axle is a bolt in, the rear will probably need the spring pads moved to line up with the springs.

Grendel,
Yeah I had thought of the weight difference but since I am not building it for serious off roading and I am going to use it as a work truck and to get around in the snow (Moving to Colorado) I was not to concerned about it. I figure if it is a problem on down the road I can find the heavier springs and install them. But the K5 that I have has a 4" lift that I would really like to see on my 67.

On your mod... installing 3/4 ton late model springs in your 71 K5 project would be the same process (as far as spring length) as what I am wanting to do? Right?

My biggest concerns are after moving spring mounts.....what problems come up after that. ie. steering linkage / adding power steering / mounting matching master cylinder/break booster/ p. valve / brakes/ etc.

Thanks for the help

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by 67custom4x4

Grendel,
Yeah I had thought of the weight difference but since I am not building it for serious off roading and I am going to use it as a work truck and to get around in the snow (Moving to Colorado) I was not to concerned about it. I figure if it is a problem on down the road I can find the heavier springs and install them. But the K5 that I have has a 4" lift that I would really like to see on my 67.

On your mod... installing 3/4 ton late model springs in your 71 K5 project would be the same process (as far as spring length) as what I am wanting to do? Right?

My biggest concerns are after moving spring mounts.....what problems come up after that. ie. steering linkage / adding power steering / mounting matching master cylinder/break booster/ p. valve / brakes/ etc.

Thanks for the help

'

Well, I am willing to bet that the K5 lift springs won't perform as well for a truck.

Not quite on what I did... I used REAR 3/4T truck springs in the front of my K5 Project.

All of your concerns are accurate. You should think about all of that.

[67custom4x4]

ttt

[special-K]

I believe that by using the later/longer springs in the`67 will yield a bit more lift than the 4" they gave to a`73-up due to the contour of the frame at the point of the rear spring mount being at a lower point.Does that make sense?
The axle will be located in the same place.So,steering will not change.Brakes,no problem.With all`67s there is no dimple in the frame to accomodate the p/s box.Some heat and or hammer the dimple into the frame (weakening frame in a vulnerable place) or space the box off the frame.

[FormerMember]

...

[2nd_wnd]

Another thing I noticed about the 73-87 springs is they are wider than the 67-72 springs. I was going to use an 8" lift I bought but found out I would have to change the perchs too.

[Sinisterspeed]

I've done this exact thing on my last 72. It can be done without much modification. The width of the spring is the same, You can get bolt in springs for the rear they make a 52 and 56" version of the 73-87 springs for the rear, The front mounts will have to be relocated half the distance of the spring difference. I don't remember exactly what it is I am thinking it was 41" eye to eye on the 67-72 trucks and 43.5 or 44" for the 73-87 ones. You can bolt them on with longer rear shackles but they will hit the frame causing a terrible ride and lots of noise, This happens cause the back of the spring actually will rest or hit on the frame. On top of all this you pinion angle changes pushing the pinion down causing the steering to tilt rather then turn (slightly). If you use the big springs as I did, even with the relocation it just shoves the springs forward and back rather then turning the truck. It took 4 lanes to turn 90 degrees from a dead stop (like stop sign) this can all be fixed just be prepared. With the smaller springs it will steer fine but the ride will be as I stated earlier.

This one has a 73-87 set of 4" springs. They rested on the frame in the rear. I changed the shackles in the back it rode much better but would still hit the frame at times. Also set the axle off center by 1"



This one I did the relocation on. It wouldn't steer for crap. I planned on doing Dana 60 front with crossover to fix it but sold it before the swap happened.



Also as stated earlier from another member due to the frame jogs the size of the spring will change. It is more in the front. The black one had 4" springs That seemed to be 6" springs when they were installed (I bought it that way)

The yellow one I did I put superlift 12" springs that ended up measuring 13.5" of lift. They only made 8" for rears so they come with 4" blocks I had to return them and go to the max sold of 5.5" blocks to level it out.

IMHO Use the rears. Buy the right fronts. You will still have to move the spring perches in or out as well as move the shock mount on one side of the axle to the rear or the the same side of the frame to the front either can be done pretty easily.