Rear springs

[swyfor5]

Started researching my lift and realized something. I bought a 8" lift from superlift back in 1990. Got new frt. springs, dual shock mounts for the frt., brake hoses, and 8" rear springs. I got looking at the original sales reciept, and checked the part numbers. Again, this was back in 1990, almost 20 years ago. The part # for the frt. springs say's early gm frt. springs. The part # for the rear springs say's late model gm rear springs. I don't remember ordering /talking to superlift about this. My question is are 1st gen and 2nd gen rear springs the same size? They work fine, just curios as to why they listed them as "late" gm springs?

[Jtrux]

I think 1st gen springs will work on 73+ trucks and vice versa.

[Burt4x4]

When I ordered my rear springs, superlift superride 5.5", they too were listed as 73+ Blazer rear. Same part number as the P/U too if I remember correctly.
I think it was 52" eye to eye or 26" eye to centerpin...something like that..this was years ago so my brain is

[swyfor5]

Thank's guys. I really didn't think it was a problem, but want to do it right. Trying to decide on what to do when I swap in the dana 60 frt. axle and the 14 blt. rear. Think I'll keep the 8" lift and just have the spring mounts moved to match my springs. Currently running the 8" rear springs with a 4" block. I want to go to the ORD shackle flip and eliminate the blocks. Sound like a good approach?

[Burt4x4]

Originally Posted by swyfor5

Thank's guys. I really didn't think it was a problem, but want to do it right. Trying to decide on what to do when I swap in the dana 60 frt. axle and the 14 blt. rear. Think I'll keep the 8" lift and just have the spring mounts moved to match my springs. Currently running the 8" rear springs with a 4" block. I want to go to the ORD shackle flip and eliminate the blocks. Sound like a good approach?

Wow, yer sky high egh. Pics? Ya removing lift blocks is allways a good thing
I know nothing about being that high up with a shakelflip, I don't think you will beable to tow anything hahaha

[swyfor5]

Burt4x4, thank's. I'm working on the pic's. K5 sits as you see in my profile. Just wondering what I should do when I go 1 ton. Keep the 8" lift or ? Off topic, I see you run a KMTA wincher frt. bumper. I just ordered one for my K5. What would you recommend for a winch?

[Burt4x4]

Originally Posted by swyfor5

Burt4x4, thank's. I'm working on the pic's. K5 sits as you see in my profile. Just wondering what I should do when I go 1 ton. Keep the 8" lift or ? Off topic, I see you run a KMTA wincher frt. bumper. I just ordered one for my K5. What would you recommend for a winch?

Happy Monday

Ya that KMA I have is from 1999, it was like the second bumper they ever made for our rigs. I welded some gussets to the underside of the plate that the winch mounts to, to keep it from flexing \-/.
I run a Warn HS9500i and I have used it for many years and so far so good!
For the weight of our rigs I would not get anything smaller than 9K or 9.5K. THe Ramsey worm drive winch is suppose to have awesome torque but alot slower. I ended up with the WARN cuz I got a smoken deal on it so...I am happy with it and it has always done what I have asked of it

[swyfor5]

Happy Tuesday! Thank's for the reply. Think I'll contact ORD about the 8" shackle flip thing. I don't see it as a problem, as I'm just removing a 4" block. Seems weird I bought a 8" lift frt spring setup, and a 8" lift spring setup, and still had to run a 4" block in rear to make it set level. Of course, It doesn't help that I bought and installed this Superlift kit back in 1990! My memory isn't what it should be, and I might just need direction! Only been 19 years or so, what can I say?

[Burt4x4]

hahaha, hey I know what you mean. I bought my K5 in 93 and alot has changed over the years and the memory of why I did thing a certain way is not always there
The internet has had a massively HUGE impact on my K5. I found the internet 4x4 world in 1998 and my K5 has never been the same. All for the better and making things tuff for trail survival
I drank alot of this morning so I'm babbeling
What was the question? hahhaa

[swyfor5]

I know what you mean about this internet thing, I've only been here a couple years now. It's cool, and you can learn so much just sitting in a chair! And so easy to order stuff and have it delivered to your door! I was wondering why they call it a 8" lift spring, when I had to run the 4" block to make it set level with the 8" frt. lift spring?

[Burt4x4]

HAHA so true!
well I would guess it's 4" spring pack w/4" block = 8", so with that I would also guess probly some were in the fine print it sates 4" spring pack w/4" block for a smooother ride. The more arch a spring pack has the harsher the ride.
Shakel flip is way better than a block ~ I have never had or delt with a shakle flip so just what I have read. everyone seams to agree that blocks suck bad off the pavement = wheel hop

[swyfor5]

That's where the (old timer syndrome ) kicks in on me! In the "old day's" I installed a 4" trailmaster lift. Had 4" frt. lift springs, and 4" blocks for the rear stock springs. Then I went to the 8" lift. I can't remember if I got new blocks, or just reused my 4" trailmaster blocks. Only pic I have, and it's a crappy one, shows the springs and etc, and a box- which I'm thinking contained just hardware? Again, 19 years ago! My invoice, which I actually still have, does'nt list any part # that resembles blocks. Guess I'll research the ORD shackle flip thing and see if that will do what I want.

[Burt4x4]

hmm..what are the square Ubolts for? Do yours point down in the back?
Get some pics posted up of the underside, heck of all sides I wana see your rig

[swyfor5]

I got five days off from work, so I'll get some new batteries for the camera. My K5 is in storage, so I should be able to get there this weekend and take some pic's. Got a kodak easyshare, and it seems like it eats batteries! Got a great deal on storage for my truck years ago. Little old farmer widow rents out her old farm barns. Boats, campers, jet skis, tractors, etc., in there. Charges me $90.00 a year! Looking to build pole barn next to my house soon, so I can start a complete resto!

[Burt4x4]

Damn! That is a great price!
No worries, post up pics when you can
Have a GREAT weekend!
Burt

[swyfor5]

Anyone out there used ORD's rear shackle flip with a 8" lift spring setup? I tried to contact ORD, but get no responce. From what I get online, it would do what I want to achieve. Looks like I just have to order the ones for 1 ton axles. Currently running stock 1/2 ton, but going to 1 ton soon. I just have to get rid of those 4" blocks out back!

[swyfor5]

Anybody used anything like what they call a traction lift? Bought one years ago, thinking I could use it to replace my rear blocks. Has like a 2" spring "spacer" that looks kinda like an add a leaf setup. Goes up toward the frt. rear spring shackle and has an adjustable "shackle"w/ like 3 adjustable bolt holes to choose from. One I have is still in box, w/ poly bushings and all the hardware. Bought new from Trailmaster, cost new about $189.00! Don't think it will ever work with my new setup- plans to go 1 ton. Originally bought it thinking I could get 2" of lift from this, and fabricate some kind of spring mounts to gain the other 2" to replace the 4" blocks. Anybody else seen or used this type of setup for this? Sorry if discription is a bit off, parts are in storage and not right in frt. of me! Just curios if this might work for other type lifts?

[swyfor5]

Hey, any of you 1 ton guy's got any pic's of your rear spring /axle mounting setup? Planning on going with a corporate 14 bolt , and using my existing 8" superlift rear springs. I am kinda stuck, and don't really know what way to go. Can ya help a k5 brother out?

[Burt4x4]

Happy Monday


Before I put my 14FF in I shaved the lip off for better clearance.

Feash welded perches


This is a shot of the D60 rear I was running w/6lug, same spring packs, the packs are SuperLift 5.5".

[swyfor5]

Burt, thank's. You have great pic's! Did you weld those spring mounts on or are those stock 60 mounts?

[Burt4x4]

On the rear 60 I welded thoes on. I originally had degree shims back there. That is when I learned NOT to use aluminum degree shims! They crack and then spit out leaving the Ubolts nice and loose wich then leads to bent/rounded spring perches. So after that trail carnage I replace the stock60 percehes with heavy duty ones welded at the proper pinion angle so no shims needed.
On my 14FF I bought from a buddy it had aftermarket SOLID perches that I cut off and relocated:

BEEFY

[bowtie72]

I am running the ORD 4" shackle flip kit in the rear with poly bushings and grease fittings. In the front I have 4" springs with heavy duty shackles and replaced the rear of the front spring bushings with poly bushings and grease fittings. The 4" kit I can say is awesome. The good thing about those guys the wheel what they build. Great service and products.

[swyfor5]

Bowtie, thank's for the feedback! Were you running a stock setup before you went with the rear flip? Nice looking K5 by the way! I really like em with a 4" lift, but I can't go back now! Wow Burt, thank you again for the advice, and the pic's. Those beefier mounts are what I'm thinking about to level off any height differences in frt to rear - to make K5 set "level" when I go 1 ton. Awsome info guy"s!

[bowtie72]

Yep it started all stock! Going to build a rear bumper/ spare carrier and cross over steering next. As soon as I can find some good drawings I like the rear bumper on here.

[swyfor5]

Cool, mine "started" stock too, but that was a long time ago! You said you like the rear bumper on where?