67-72 Rear leaf conversion question

[Gene]

What kind of lift can I expect from swapping the brackets and leafs from a 91 burb to a 71 1/2 ton? I have read that I can expect a 4 inch lift from the FGB52 kit and 52 inch springs, but what about the rear and 64ish inch springs? I know I will have to cut and fab the front brackets to fit but am wondering if I need to order new springs?

[Captainfab]

I don't think a '91 suburban would have 64" rear springs. It should have either 52's or 56's in the rear. The 64's can be found in the pickups starting in '88 and Suburbans and Blazers starting in '92. Either way whether you use 56's or 64's in the rear you will need a shackle flip to get the lift you're looking for.

[Gene]

Yes sir you are correct, they measure 56 inches. So, 6 inch aftermarket springs is not the way to go?

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by Gene

Yes sir you are correct, they measure 56 inches. So, 6 inch aftermarket springs is not the way to go?

That depends on just how much lift you are wanting. A stock 56" spring with either a ORD or DIY4X shackle flip will equal aprox 4" of lift. With the DIY4X shackle flip you can use different length shackles to adjust the ride height a little. So if you used 6" lift 56" springs with a shackle flip you would have aprox 10" of lift.

[Gene]

I am wanting a 6 inch lift, or whatever it takes to run 35 inch tires. I failed to mention that I am converting a 2wd truck to a 4wd.

[Gene]

BTW, does anyone make a shackle flip kit designed for a 2wd truck? That would save me alot of cutting and welding of my brackets!

[Captainfab]

If you were to get the B52 bracket and the shackle relocation setup for the front springs and the shackle flip for the rear (from DIY4X) the only factory bracket you'll need is the front hanger for the rear spring. Since you are converting a 2wd there is bound to be some modifying and fabricating involved. I haven't converted a 2wd so I can't give you any experienced advice on this. I would suggest calling DIY4X and talk to Kert, I hear he is very helpful and great to deal with.

[Gene]

I actually did email Kert, but they don't currently offer a set of front brackets that will work on a 2wd truck originally set up with coils. I have all the brackets from a 91 burb that I can make work, but was hoping there was a company out there that offered aftermarket brackets for 2wd trucks.

[low900rr]

the bump out on the frame where the coils sit is gonna give you a problem unless you sink the front hangers into the frame. I wrote a whole thread on what I did to get the rear to leaf springs. I also used a 4x4 engine crossmember from a 74 from the same truck I cut the frame on to use on the back of the 69.

[special-K]

A 2wd leaf spring mount will work.The springs are the same dimensions (width) between 2wd and 4wd.You can use the Suburban stuff.

[Gene]

Really? The 2wd leaf frames and the coil frames are the same width at the front hanger?

[Gene]

Originally Posted by low900rr

the bump out on the frame where the coils sit is gonna give you a problem unless you sink the front hangers into the frame. I wrote a whole thread on what I did to get the rear to leaf springs. I also used a 4x4 engine crossmember from a 74 from the same truck I cut the frame on to use on the back of the 69.

I'm trying to steer clear of cutting the frame, if not for that I would cut the back off of the burb I have.

[low900rr]

Your gonna have to cut the frame. Where the front hanger sits on the frame, the frame is bumped out there. You would have to space out the rear hangers to match the front and then you would have to move the perches on the axle. Cutting the frame is the easiest way to do it IMO. Heres a picture of what im talking about.