Help With 1972 K-5 W/ 63" Rear Springs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

The Gibster · 08-01-2012, 02:35 AM

I just purchased a 72 Jimmy a month or so ago and I need help figuring out the rear suspension situation. Right now it has 63"s in the rear with a shackle flip and 6" shackles. I am 98% sure the PO removed a leaf or two to make it softer.

I am planning on using it as a weekend rig that I can drive to and from the trail/desert with and right now I feel it is way too "bouncy" to be street worthy. I want to keep the 63's so my question is there anything I can do to stiffen it up? Right now I was thinking of adding a leaf or two to the pack and a zero rate to move the axle back. Any suggestions?
Thanks everybody

OLDCHEV4X4 · 08-01-2012, 10:30 AM

I did a 64" spring conversion on my blazer. Mabey some better/multiple shocks would help. Here's the thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=480181

The Gibster · 08-01-2012, 11:07 AM

I read your thread a while ago which gave me hope! I am just curious, can you stand at the back of your blazer and push up and down on the tailgate enough to make it feel like it is bouncing off the ground? I can do that with mine, I don't actually get it off the ground but I figure it would give you an idea of where I am at. I just don't feel like that would be safe going down the highway.

What is your Blazers on road characteristics with the longer springs?

OLDCHEV4X4 · 08-01-2012, 11:51 AM

Cant help ya with the on road behavior. It looks like this--->http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ighlight=miler

GM put these springs stock on the back of Chevy trucks. If its good enough for them, its good enough for me.
The longer shackle might give a little more lateral instability in corners though.

08-01-2012, 02:35 AM	#1
The Gibster Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: San Luis Obispo Posts: 27	Help With 1972 K-5 W/ 63" Rear Springs I just purchased a 72 Jimmy a month or so ago and I need help figuring out the rear suspension situation. Right now it has 63"s in the rear with a shackle flip and 6" shackles. I am 98% sure the PO removed a leaf or two to make it softer. I am planning on using it as a weekend rig that I can drive to and from the trail/desert with and right now I feel it is way too "bouncy" to be street worthy. I want to keep the 63's so my question is there anything I can do to stiffen it up? Right now I was thinking of adding a leaf or two to the pack and a zero rate to move the axle back. Any suggestions? Thanks everybody __________________ "You may be a redneck if... you have spent more on your pickup truck than on your education."

08-01-2012, 10:30 AM	#2
OLDCHEV4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Chester County PA, USA Posts: 1,228	Re: Help With 1972 K-5 W/ 63" Rear Springs I did a 64" spring conversion on my blazer. Mabey some better/multiple shocks would help. Here's the thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=480181 __________________ 72 k/10 short wideside 72 k/5 Blazer 72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer 72 custom/10 8' bed 70 K/5 Blazer 67 C-30 GMC Flat bed 86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck 85 GMC K3500 84 M1008 85 M1008 77 G30 Motor Home 72 Sears 12hp Tractor Glenmoore, Pennsylvania

08-01-2012, 11:07 AM	#3
The Gibster Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: San Luis Obispo Posts: 27	Re: Help With 1972 K-5 W/ 63" Rear Springs I read your thread a while ago which gave me hope! I am just curious, can you stand at the back of your blazer and push up and down on the tailgate enough to make it feel like it is bouncing off the ground? I can do that with mine, I don't actually get it off the ground but I figure it would give you an idea of where I am at. I just don't feel like that would be safe going down the highway. What is your Blazers on road characteristics with the longer springs? __________________ "You may be a redneck if... you have spent more on your pickup truck than on your education."

08-01-2012, 11:51 AM	#4
OLDCHEV4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Chester County PA, USA Posts: 1,228	Re: Help With 1972 K-5 W/ 63" Rear Springs Cant help ya with the on road behavior. It looks like this--->http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ighlight=miler GM put these springs stock on the back of Chevy trucks. If its good enough for them, its good enough for me. The longer shackle might give a little more lateral instability in corners though. __________________ 72 k/10 short wideside 72 k/5 Blazer 72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer 72 custom/10 8' bed 70 K/5 Blazer 67 C-30 GMC Flat bed 86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck 85 GMC K3500 84 M1008 85 M1008 77 G30 Motor Home 72 Sears 12hp Tractor Glenmoore, Pennsylvania



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