52" Swap Q's

[79Betty]

Guys ' looking at doing the 52" swap up front to get rid of my HORRIBLE STIFF BOUNCY ROUGH MAN-TIT HURTING 8" superlift lift. Yea i got clearance and it was free, but not wort it. Anyway why do i need to move the brackets on the front? Can't i just mount the springs with a spring that is 26" from eyelet to center pins on both sides?

[OLDCHEV4X4]

On a 52" spring swap the tire is not in the center of the wheel opening if you dont move the front mount point.

[79Betty]

So i have to swap the front l bracket on the front, ok. What about the rear, stays or move? Can i use an ez block to recenter?

[andrewmp6]

Most use a kit like this http://diy4x.com/cart/index.php?rout...product_id=120

[thiesnutz]

i did one on a 91 k5, removed the rivets and moved the front mount forward about 2 inches or so. then i used grade 8 hardware to reinstall the front spring perch. the rear i moved back about 2 inches, drilled new holes and used grade 8 hardware. i did my research on ck5, wealth of knowledge from those guys.

[79Betty]

Thanks for the info thiesnutz. I'ma go check em out. That is a good looking kit but pretty pricy. Rather try n do this on the cheap. Howndid you move tge back 2", could that be avoided by the ez inch, i know it goes 1.5". I can deal with the .5 as my febders are hacked anyway. Rather not remove the rivits for stregnth and ease but if necessary so be it.

[obijuan]

I hope you like body roll. 52 springs are way too soft and I had body roll very bad. Also had 2" 52s with a zero rate and 42s.

To not move the shackle hanger you need 56s.

Cross over steering is required as well

[79Betty]

56's it is. I'm going to wind up running sone rancho 9000's hoping that helps...

[obijuan]

a swaybar will help.

[62k]

From everything I have seen, you can cut the stock spring hanger off and bolt it back on just in front of the core support mount (should be about 5 inches). This should keep the shackle hanger in the factory location and move the axle forward about 2.5" and gain you probably 2-4" of lift depending on the springs (age, number of leaves in the pack etc). I'm not saying this is entirely true, just going by what I've seen before.

[79Betty]

Got my gameplan. Move front spring hangers L bracket to opposite side of body mount. Run 56" rear springs to keep rear bushing in same place for rivet stregnth. E-Z inch just in case either wat it's still an inch. Rancho 9000 shocks and sway bar withquick disconnects for stability along with cross over steering. Sound good to you guys? Honestly this will just be my dd so ride comfort is all i'm after. Whatever height i end up at i can adjust tire size/gear ratio. Looking for 80 mph cruisin at 2250 rpm right in my sweet spot...

[62k]

You will have to either move the front spring mount more forward or move the shackles back. The way i described by putting the mount directly in front of the body mount will only fit 52s. So obviously you would still need to find about 4 more inches somewhere. Also if you do end up going with 56s keep in mind the center pin isn't actually centered.

[79Betty]

Alright so 52's will only require front bracket movement and 7" shackles right? That what you're saying?

[obijuan]

That is incorrect. 52s require moving both ends of the spring whereas 56s only need the front.

[79Betty]

Well then 56's it is... Idc which, just donMy wana have to buy springs twice.

[86k20mudddigger]

be aware you might need to do some trimming to the body mount above the rear mount of the front leaf with the 56 inch set up. i was going to go with 56 but was not satisfied with the shackle angle the 56 left me with ride height with 52s and zero rate add a leafs from rod are awesome imo and some pretty gnarly flex to come out of it.

[86k20mudddigger]

no shocks on it but she tucks pretty danm good hoops and straps are next fro the front end

[79Betty]

Thnks 86k20 that is some unreal flex!! You say you werent't satisfied with the shackle angle, too short a shackle, too long? I'm on a budget so not in ANY hurry for this swap, but only buying parts once is very important to me. Once i get this done time for efi!

[obijuan]

all of these are 2" lift 52s and 39s. the last pic i took out the overload and zero rate and made my own shackle flip. with the 52s i couldnt get all the use out of my shackle as you can see at near full droop it is still leaned back some and the spring is mounted as far forward as i can. this was overall too tall for me and my use so i lowered it down.
i used flat 47" assumed 4" lift springs. kept my shackle angle in a good spot at ride height and moved my axle more forward than if i had 52s.


those springs were super stiff and sucked. switched to tuff country ez rides and some 42s. this is the best combo for drivablility and flex on the trail.

[79Betty]

I'd like 52's for lift options but am afraid of messing with mounting the rear hanger and front and all so would like to keep it as least drilling/modifying as possible of factory spots. No welding here so it's all bolt on so keeping front pinion angle, sane is a must, what would be the best combo for this? 52's and 7" shackle move hangers front n rear, or 56" springs 7" shackle no move rear hanger? BOTH will have a zero-rate and trimming of fenders isn't a problem if needed. I'll figure out my gear ratio/tire/ lift later, just want those to be last. Worried about ride quality and roughness first. Just hoping i'm not asking too much!

[obijuan]

Lift springs and move on.

[86k20mudddigger]

Originally Posted by obijuan

Lift springs and move on.

you won't get even half as much flex... maybe if your mall crawling or mudding your truck.

[obijuan]

Flex ain't everything. You won't get that when you put limit straps and shocks on it. My truck is more stable and keeps the front tires on the ground more predictably and more comfortably than 52s.

6" procomps and a shackle flip. Flexed just fine.

[86k20mudddigger]

Originally Posted by 79Betty

I'd like 52's for lift options but am afraid of messing with mounting the rear hanger and front and all so would like to keep it as least drilling/modifying as possible of factory spots. No welding here so it's all bolt on so keeping front pinion angle, sane is a must, what would be the best combo for this? 52's and 7" shackle move hangers front n rear, or 56" springs 7" shackle no move rear hanger? BOTH will have a zero-rate and trimming of fenders isn't a problem if needed. I'll figure out my gear ratio/tire/ lift later, just want those to be last. Worried about ride quality and roughness first. Just hoping i'm not asking too much!

Id look into the FUSH kit on there too it beefs up the spring eyelet hard where. depending on what condition your frames in but i think its worth the money cuz its a lot of stress on old small bolts. 56 and a 7 inch shackle left my truck resting on its body mounts, i did 52 in springs and 6 inch shackels i believe but I'm super happy with the angle of it now. ill try and snag a photo of it

[79Betty]

Thank you 86k20, guess i'll just say hell wither and dive in, what's the worst that can happen?!

Edit: what do you mean by resting on body mounts? Like on the spring shackle?

Obijuan: mine will be driven every day from yea the mall, to my hunting cabin, to work to pike county mudd boggs and tractor pulling. I want good ride quality (52 & 64 swAps) which is #1 goal outta this. I have 8" lift springs now and it's ungodly horrible.