Question

[worley91]

Does anyone know what kind of suspension swaps I can do to my 88 half ton 4x4? I'm looking to put a 3/4 ton suspension under it but i wasn't sure if both the springs and bars would swap. Any help is appreciated.

[lurch115]

they make a straight axle conversion kit for the front end of this style of truck and you just have to lift the rear accordingly. oh, and ya have to use a ford front axle for the conversion kit because all the older style chevy trucks had a passanger side front diff and this style of truck has a driverside front diff. like the older fords did

[worley91]

I was wondering if I could put 3/4 ton springs on the the rear when I put the straight axle on.

[onemintcaddy]

I just installed a light 3/4 ton rear end in my 88 from a 92. Cut off the old spring hangers off from the frame and it all bolted right up,, Even the E-brake.. The only problem I'm having now is not enough brake pedal,,, and I need to get a 3/4 ton drive shaft. If your going to use a axle/spring set up older than a 88,,, The front of the spring mounts will be too wide for the 88 frame.

Do you think they make u-joints for someone doing this ???

[worley91]

Im sure they do. They make special u joints for GM shaft to Ford axle for S.A.S so I dont see why they wouldnt make them for this.

[Storm Chaser]

If your going to use a axle/spring set up older than a 88,,, The front of the spring mounts will be too wide for the 88 frame.

If you want a solid axle, I'd recommend Sky Manufacturing for the bracketry. Looks to be good quality for the best price. I did the solid swap on my crew cab, but I made all the parts- which turned out to be a headache. In the spring, I'll be removing part of my home made stuff and replacing it with Sky parts (the rear hangers for the front springs).

If you want to keep your existing transfer case, then you want the Ford axle. You can use a Chevy axle if you change to a transfer with the same drop (which is what I did). But if I had it to do over- and I just might- I'd go with the Ford axle setup for the simple reason that the engine is offset to one side to give more room for the pumpkin/transfer/driveshaft set up in that fashion.

[worley91]

Well I've decided that I want to do the S.A.S. With the ford 1 ton axle. However I'm on the hunt for almost stock springs because I already have the body lift and I still would like this to be somewhat daily driven, and if I use the springs that come with most kits that's gonna take me up another 5" which will make my bumbers to high etc etc etc.