2wd 1990 suburban swap suspension with 82 truck?

[jesdude7789]

Would I be able to convert my blue 1/2 ton 1990 R1500 2wd suburban to a 3/4 ton without modifying anything if I bought all this truck's suspension?

http://austin.craigslist.org/pts/4712343590.html

My burb sags bad in the rear and I would rather just make it a 3/4 ton anyway if possible. How much would it raise the rear compared to the 1/2 ton stance?

The tie rods are overdue for a change and the sway bar is bent anyway so I would probably do the rear one weekend and the front on the next weekend.

[tobiahr]

No. You could use the parts but I believe you would need to modify some of the mounting points on the rear and the rear spring rate would not be correct.

[jesdude7789]

Originally Posted by tobiahr

No. You could use the parts but I believe you would need to modify some of the mounting points on the rear and the rear spring rate would not be correct.

So I could use the front suspension without any modifications to the frame?
In the rear, I'm not worried about spring rate, just if I can use them and gain the extra weight capacity. I have plenty of tools if any modifications are required like welding or drilling different holes to move brackets around.

[tobiahr]

most of the front suspensions will transfer with little to no modification. after looking up the stock springs for both of these vehicles (http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index....oducts_id=7352 and http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index....oducts_id=1446) it appears the rear should swap without modification. you may need to get a different driveshaft because of different yokes on the rear axles and different size u joints.

[Jonboy]

You may need the spring hangers in the rear also. When I converted my 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton, the original spring hangers put the springs closer to the frame. I had to use 1/2 ton spring hangers to get the springs to line up with the rear end. You could put new perches on the axle, but that seemed a lot harder to do. The front suspension bolted right in place.

[jesdude7789]

Originally Posted by tobiahr

most of the front suspensions will transfer with little to no modification. after looking up the stock springs for both of these vehicles (http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index....oducts_id=7352 and http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index....oducts_id=1446) it appears the rear should swap without modification. you may need to get a different driveshaft because of different yokes on the rear axles and different size u joints.

I was at the pick a part in Austin over the weekend and I found a 4x4 suburban in there with a 10 bolt rear axle that was a 3.42 ratio. It had 6 lug axles though. I thought about getting the whole thing off of there with the springs as one unit but I just didn't have time that day. I was also not sure about it since I would have to find out if the 5 lug axles on my suburban would swap out with the 6 lug versions that were in it. maybe next time there will be a good 2wd unit.

Originally Posted by Jonboy

You may need the spring hangers in the rear also. When I converted my 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton, the original spring hangers put the springs closer to the frame. I had to use 1/2 ton spring hangers to get the springs to line up with the rear end. You could put new perches on the axle, but that seemed a lot harder to do. The front suspension bolted right in place.

Well at least I know the front stuff will swap right in so that's awesome. While I was at the yard I saw only springs that were too heavy or too light or also worn out and sagging. Mine are 4/1 type. 4 springs, 1 rebound "spring" they call it. I was hoping to find something that was 5/1 or 6/1. Only thing I could find was 3/1 on lighter duty trucks or 8/1 on those 4x4 burbs. I'll keep looking around. I plan to go to my local pick your part this weekend in Houston.