56" rear springs up front

[3quartertime]

I've read that 56" rear springs from a later model will give a 71 a bit of lift in the front. I've located some from a 79 locally for a price that won't kill me. ( meaning if it doesn't work I won't be losing a bunch of cash!).

How much average lift would one expect? What is involved in the swap? Parts etc...

I searched and didn't find anything specific. If there is a thread that covers this please give me a search clue if you can...

Thanks!

[Gene]

Originally Posted by 3quartertime

I've read that 56" rear springs from a later model will give a 71 a bit of lift in the front. I've located some from a 79 locally for a price that won't kill me. ( meaning if it doesn't work I won't be losing a bunch of cash!).

How much average lift would one expect? What is involved in the swap? Parts etc...

I searched and didn't find anything specific. If there is a thread that covers this please give me a search clue if you can...

Thanks!

You'll need the FGB52 kit from diy4x.com Should get about a 4 inch lift.

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by Gene

You'll need the FGB52 kit from diy4x.com Should get about a 4 inch lift.

I agree, plus unless you are looking for a lot of flex, I would go with some 52's instead of the 56's.....just my .02

[ericpost]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I agree, plus unless you are looking for a lot of flex, I would go with some 52's instead of the 56's.....just my .02

I just did this.

Got a FGB52 w/6" shackles from DIY in front and moved my rear springs which were 52" to the front. I then used the DIY shackle flip with 6" shackles on reverse side and put 56" with a +2" lift (compensate for the reverse side) in the rear. I got what I figure to be about 6" over all and she is riding on 38's. I got ALOT of help from folks on this forum. Here is a picture of how she sits

[Gene]

Hey Eric,

How many leafs did you use from the back? Did you move all of them to the front? I am limited because of the length of my u-bolts to 3 springs.

Thanks,
Gene

[3quartertime]

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

That lift looks great Eric!

Got another question now. It looks like this lift would be a bit cheaper depending on how much you had to pay for the springs. Is that the main advantage over a regular lift kit or is there another reason to go this route?

Thank!

[ericpost]

Originally Posted by Gene

Hey Eric,

How many leafs did you use from the back? Did you move all of them to the front? I am limited because of the length of my u-bolts to 3 springs.

Thanks,
Gene

All of them, I went to my local shop and had a new set of ubolts made for $35 including the proper nuts and washers... well worth the $$.


FYI: I go to a commercial truck repair shop. They make everything and it is wicked cheap and very high quality! I just got a completely new front drive shaft custom made with all the heavy duty goodies for $370

[ericpost]

Originally Posted by 3quartertime

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

That lift looks great Eric!

Got another question now. It looks like this lift would be a bit cheaper depending on how much you had to pay for the springs. Is that the main advantage over a regular lift kit or is there another reason to go this route?

Thank!

Going this route provides more flex off road and improves the getting to the dirt ride quality. If you really want to wheel rather than pose this is the way to go. I noticed the additional flex right away.


I went with superlift springs from JC Whitney. I think they were less than $350 and I know I got free shipping... which is very important when buying real heavy stuff.

Do a little research on DIY4X stuff. If you've torn into stuff before you should get a good feel for the amount of work involved. It will certainly be more than a standard lift but in the end you will be glad you did it. Depending on the tools in your shop (torches or plasma will certainly help with the rivet removal) it really shouldn't be that much more work unless your retarded like me. I went and add more steel to the frame and cross braced etc.... Really sort of un-nessarry but I can point to my rig and say I have just a little more...

Also when you start doing the math in terms of how much lift you are going to have it's going to seem way out of whack... A guy on this site called Grendal convinced me to go this route... I did and the truck came out awsome. I think VT Blazer is also running this setup as well.

OH and I removed the helper spring from the REAR spring pack and moved the it to the FRONT spring pack.... This is temporary and is there to help level the truck until the rear springs settle.

Okay one more tip, go with the DIY4X greaseable spring bolts! Quite possibly the best idea I have seen for the money.

[3quartertime]

That's exactly the information I was looking for!

But then of course it leads to more questions!

I don't think the work would be a problem. I think you may have answered my concern, but I just wanna make sure I understand ya right. I would consider my truck a work truck. Haul the boat, pull the utility trailer,etc... It's my main driver now, but I don't expect that to continue. I like the looks of 35's and would like to only go as far up as I absolutely have to. I like to be able to use the bed and it gets hard to find a hitch drop that isn't crazy at some point. I have some old humvee 36's on the back now and it clears fine for me. So I think 4 inches of lift is all I'd want to consider.

I'm thinking what I've learned here is that a standard lift kit would work best for me?

Thanks,,,

[ericpost]

Originally Posted by 3quartertime

That's exactly the information I was looking for!

But then of course it leads to more questions!

I don't think the work would be a problem. I think you may have answered my concern, but I just wanna make sure I understand ya right. I would consider my truck a work truck. Haul the boat, pull the utility trailer,etc... It's my main driver now, but I don't expect that to continue. I like the looks of 35's and would like to only go as far up as I absolutely have to. I like to be able to use the bed and it gets hard to find a hitch drop that isn't crazy at some point. I have some old humvee 36's on the back now and it clears fine for me. So I think 4 inches of lift is all I'd want to consider.

I'm thinking what I've learned here is that a standard lift kit would work best for me?

Thanks,,,

Yep a standard 4" lift should be fine up to 36". You might get a little rubbing w/36's at full flex but it does not sound like that is going to happen much or ever given your use. You'll won't rub with 35's.