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Posted: 8/8/2006 6:00:55 PM EDT
[#1]
I am not a big fan of add a leafs as they stiffen up the suspension more than I care for, your best bet would be new leafs arched for the lift you desire but for a cheaper solution they will do what you wish depending on the condition of yourleafs you might not get the advertised lift from them if you leafs have saged much.Besides you own a chevy lifts are like $20.00
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Posted: 8/8/2006 6:07:13 PM EDT
[#2]
Small lifts seame to be fairly common so ill leave the choices to you & knowing that this will be a second BOV + your Sons truck you want uncomprised reliabilty check out the Surban project on Offraod Design
Burb Project |
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Posted: 8/8/2006 6:15:12 PM EDT
[#3]
I had add a leafs in my 86 half ton Dodge(all 4 corners). They actually helped the ride quite a bit.
I put add a leafs in the front of my 93 3/4 ton Dodge Cummins and they REALLY helped with the weight of the engine. In each case, I got them from JC Whitney. They were easy to install(for me), and they were cheap. If I ran accross a similiar situation I wouldn't hesitate to put them on again. |
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Posted: 8/8/2006 8:45:26 PM EDT
[#4]
You might try a local spring shop and see about getting your old springs re-arched. Simple to do, and cost effective.
If you were interested in more lift, 4" kits for the older Chevys can be done for well under $600...... |
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Posted: 8/9/2006 6:35:47 AM EDT
[#5]
Your thinking of OPS. He has a diesel Blazer like mine and he jus got a new Dodge P/Up and is passing his BOV down to his kid. Ill check that link on the suburban project, looks pretty cool. |
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Posted: 8/9/2006 10:23:37 AM EDT
[#6]
Im actually thinking of goin with a full blown lift kit. either from skyjacker, tuff country or rough country. Cost is playing a role, but I want it done right too.
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Posted: 8/9/2006 11:04:51 AM EDT
[#7]
DOH!  I do think you will be much happier with a full lift kit due to ride quality I have tried all sorts of things to lift trucks over the years & nothing was better than a Full leaf spring designed for the height I wanted. For the best ride you want a spring that uses more leafs but that they are thinner this allowes more movement. |
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Posted: 8/10/2006 8:02:22 AM EDT
[#8]
Hi, I'm a CK5 poster.
Don't do add-a-leaves to the front. Just don't. Really. Your original springs are old and tired. Send them to leaf spring heaven and get some 2" lift springs for the front. For the rear, new springs would be better but you're only going 2" so blocks are acceptable (and cheaper) if not preferable. Shocks are your call. Rancho IMO is overpriced. I use Deutsch Tech. I custom mounted my shocks and use long travel ones. Winch is an awesome idea. I have a Warn 9000 lb on mine. I'm guessing you're running 31s or thereabouts. If you get the urge to go bigger, your axles will hate you. The corporate 10 bolt rear just can't handle it. Hell, I broke a 12 bolt rear end just driving on the street. Dana 60 front/14bolt FF rear is the way to go but it's expensive. If you thought guns were a moneypit then you'd better hide your Visa from your blazer. |
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Posted: 8/10/2006 10:49:00 AM EDT
[#9]
Yeah im goin with the ROUGH COUntry 2" lift with new springs and shocks all the way around. Im running BFG A/Ts 32" and am happy with them, I know the 10bolt cant really handle 35s or up, 33s are possible. but my 32"s are brand new and ive got 2 extra spares with same amount of tread. I want to keep this as a DD and want to keep it fairly original, meaning I dont need to build FF rear ends for the type of driving Ill be doing. It would be nice, but yeah its expensive. Im doin pretty good with the Blazer so far. I actually did upgrade the whole drive train. I spent a chunk of change from Randys Pinon.com I got some chromoly axles and all new seals and new u joints, I also replaced the 2:73 gears with 4:10s. This made a big improvement and with the 700r tranny I couldve gone to 4:33s or 4:54s possible. Im running 2300rpm at 65mph, so im happy about that. Ive actually done alot to the blazer, after I get the lift and bumpers ill do a full bore write up on it w/pics. |
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Posted: 8/10/2006 1:54:13 PM EDT
[#10]
Rouch Country is a good brand. I think you'll be happy with the leaf springs. I've known a lot of guys (on the internet) who said 1 ton axles were too expensive so they did the chromoly shaft & locker thing. A year or so later those guys are selling chromoly shafts and 10 bolt loc-rights and getting the one ton axles. I hate to see guys throwing good money at semifloaters. The 14bolt FF is so cheap (maybe $100) and bulletproof. The 10 bolt front is OK, but I wouldn't spend any money on those either. I ran 33s on my 10 bolt front without too much drama. The spindly 1310 front driveshaft gave out a couple times but that's it. Good luck and post pics when you have some! |
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Posted: 8/10/2006 2:09:55 PM EDT
[#11]
Even though you already chose your lift, FYI, add-a-leafs really dont "lift" a vehicle. They reinforce old sagging springs and dont allow them to sag as much. On newer vehicles it does the same. Only it doesnt allow the leaf to compress as much when the weight of the truck is on the leaf. Thereby creating a lifting affect. I guess technically it is lifting a vehicle, but not the way you want to.
Lifted leaf springs are designed to work in the correct range AND have a lift to them. |
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Posted: 8/10/2006 6:57:41 PM EDT
[#12]
Rough County is going to make your ride well.... rough  I would go with either a tuff county lift or use these 1" zero-rates from ORD HERE. They are cheap and work really well, I have them installed on all 4 corners of my Suburban. |
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Posted: 8/11/2006 6:24:49 AM EDT
[#13]
Well part of the reason im goin with Rough country is that Ill be adding alot of weight to the truck thru HD bumpers, winch and camping gear (this gear stays in truck 24/7 and there is alot of it, lol).
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Posted: 8/11/2006 6:13:09 PM EDT
[#14]
Hey Buddy ,
I am building up a lite duty Cherokee right now and if you have not yet got your Winch let me clue you in on a real deal. I just got delivered a Warn M800 w/ roller and 100 feet of cable for $479.00. 4WD Hardware has a sale going on now and you first order includes 10percent off. I bought one of these back in 1986 and paid more than this for it!! Take Care, Para069 |
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Posted: 8/11/2006 6:37:30 PM EDT
[#15]
Yeah, I jus picked up my Winch couple weekends ago. I got a 9,ooolb winch for the 8,ooolb price. Its from harbor freight, but have been told its the same as Mile Marker brands, they jus paint em and slap on their name. Im jus waiting on the bumpers.
 Custom work never goes quickly. lol. I ended up ordering the Rough country kit today, Ive been told itll be rough in ride, but Im goin to carry extra weight from the HD bumpers and all my camping gear, so I figure the stiffer suspension will help with the extra loads. |
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Posted: 8/16/2006 7:34:08 AM EDT
[#16]
Woohoo. Springs and shocks jus came in. Dropping truck off at shop on Friday. Will get pics friday afternoon. Im goin to work a thread that has all the mods that ive done to my truck in it. Stay tuned.................
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Posted: 8/16/2006 8:35:43 PM EDT
[#17]
I'm sooooo keeping an eye on this thread.
My '84 Blazer is sitting around the farm with nothing to do  Mine's pretty stock except for the Warn Lock-outs, 31" M/T's, and the mildly built 355 (that I take A LOT of pride in as it can haul the beast to about 105mph  ).Have fun! WIZZO |
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Posted: 8/17/2006 11:11:57 AM EDT
[#18]
yeah I should have it back tomorrow (friday afternoon). Im goin to take some b4 and after shots to show. Ill probably post those pics HERE in this thread, but stay tuned next week or following for my OVER ALL Blazer build up. Ill post all the things ive done to it, etc. to make it the ulitmate BOV>
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Posted: 8/18/2006 4:09:57 PM EDT
[#19]
Jus picked up my Blazer. I had a 2" Rough Country Lift Kit, I replaced the front and rear springs and shocks.
Some Random b4 shots.   After 2" lift. The rear and front look a lil diff. cuz the body line is lower on the back, if you take reference point from top of fender and side molding.   The ride was nice , really no diff than stock. The steering was "lighter", but it didnt wander at all. Even a 2" lift you can tell your riding high. The suspension wasnt ruff at all. Bumpers will be on their way next week. Stay tuned. |
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Posted: 8/18/2006 4:38:53 PM EDT
[#20]
and whend you get the tint... snazzy,
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Posted: 8/18/2006 4:46:02 PM EDT
[#21]
The tint I added earlier this year, its a self do it your self job. doesnt look too bad. lol |
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Posted: 8/18/2006 4:53:03 PM EDT
[#22]
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Posted: 8/19/2006 8:50:21 AM EDT
[#23]
Good lookin' truck.
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Posted: 8/19/2006 9:24:08 AM EDT
[#24]
73-87 Chevy K's are awesome. Personally I think 73-75 is about the best, anything that was produced without a catalytic converter. Next to that I like the 86's. 87's had TBFI.
I used to drive a 86' K-10. I had switched out the 305 for a SB 400 from a 79' K-30. With 3.73 gears & 33" tires that puppy would haul buttocks. I also left the OEM 3.08 gears in the front. This meant the front wheels were turning faster than the rear when in 4WD. No problems in mud and sand. Big problems on snow and ice. But we had ice maybe one day in 5 years back home. |
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Posted: 8/19/2006 12:09:00 PM EDT
[#25]
just because the truck was made with a catalytic converter doesn't mean you need it, this is why god created the sawzall... but have fun getting 0 gas mileage lol
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Posted: 8/19/2006 12:12:31 PM EDT
[#26]
Looks good man. I'm thinking of working on my Jeep XJ here soon.
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Posted: 8/19/2006 12:26:57 PM EDT
[#27]
You know, there's a lot of money to be made towing stuck and broken down FORDS out of the mud and the occasional puddle in the road.
 CJ |
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Posted: 8/19/2006 12:37:18 PM EDT
[#28]
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Posted: 8/19/2006 3:41:02 PM EDT
[#29]
Funny part is, I jus got home, on my way , we seen a Jeep CJ stuck in the mud on one of the frontage roads, there was a jeep liberty tryin to figure out where to hook up a tow strap to unstuck him, It was funny, not much I could do til I get my new bumpers. I did some minor off roading along the beach, there were some ruts and what not, I hit them pretty good. The suspension is great. Ive heard rumor that the ROUGH COUNTRY was , well, Rough, but in my case it wasnt that way. It was STiffer, but not rougher, it absorbed the bumps nicely, I didnt get beat like I was running on solid struts. This was one of the best improvements I couldve done. Now to get the damn bumpers. lol.
ACtually when I first got truck and put headers on, I did away with the CATS, So I had headers, dual exhaust and flowmasters. It was LOUD and had fumes, couldnt put windows done. So, I went and had some catco cats put on. I lost ZERO power from this, but it is quieter and less fumey. |
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Posted: 8/20/2006 9:50:32 AM EDT
[#30]
Die I knew you had done this after reading it in survival forum (Which I find myself not going to anymore) And did your exahust dump Behind rear wheels or out back? I ask cuz my bronco had headers, true duals to Glass packs, and dumped RIGHT THERE, and we took it over to spokane just on the highway and couldnt put the back window down cuz of fumes... now its getting a new exhaust true duals through flowmasters dumped out the sides... I hope I can use my window now
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Posted: 8/20/2006 10:08:37 AM EDT
[#31]
Here is my exhaust the way it was b4 the cats and after, Ididnt change it when added the cats. once i get new bumpers, I may change it somewhat  |
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Posted: 8/25/2006 3:59:16 PM EDT
[#32]
Ill eventually get a GOOD post of everything. But to update. The lift is awesome. The ride is very nice. It soaks up speed bumps nicely. Not rough ride at all.
As we speak Im adding a LOC RITE locker to the rear. and on monday , ill be getting some more parts in. Ill be getting Sway bar quick disconnect and poly bushings for sway bar. And the K5s were known to have weak area around the steering box, so a company called Off Road Design has some braces for this area, they are bolt in, so Ill get those on monday as well. Bumpers are complete and should be shipped today or monday/tues. Hopefully I can go 4x4ing next weekend during holiday. Once bumpers are installed I jus gotta hook up my off road lights and mount the winch up. When the shop had my rear tire and drum brake off, I saw that the rear shoes were low. so Im getting those replaced. Im also researching HIGH AMP ALternators, Im looking at the MEAN-GREEN ones. suppose to be 200amp at cruising speed and 100amp at idle. $300bux though So that is my updates for the week.
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Posted: 8/26/2006 9:12:10 PM EDT
[#33]
I think the Loc Rite is the same one being put in my Bronco cuz our Family Mechanic said to us that he was gonna use a Limited Slip but then that changed
to the Loc Rite when we were told its like a locker... but no clicking noise and its better, anyways I also hope to get mine back next weekend (its been like 5 weeks ) and Im gonna make a post now and Ill do an update when I get her back BTW all the guys on Bronco Forums say Drop the sway bars there usless and you might not even have to put in a quick disconnect but If you want to keep it its your rig ETA #2 my post is up tell me what you think hehe |
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