3/4 ton front coils on 1/2 ton, new here too

[ck15002wd]

hello all. my first post here. i recently got my hands on an 89 1/2 ton 2wd with coil spring IFS. it has a 305, and a horrible front end sag. it'll be getting a 94+ composite grill conversion, all new body and paint this spring, and some other goodies to make it sound good.

my question for you all: does anyone have experience with installing 3/4 ton front coils into a 1/2 ton to fix the front sag problem? or, do you have any other suggestions for a 1-2" front lift. i'd like to just get the truck evened out and then put on a body lift to clear some bigger tires (31x10.5x15)

[oldred95]

I did it. In my opinion, defitetely not worth the time or money. I got moog springs for a 454SS, same as a 3/4 ton, for 85 bucks for the pair. Tear down is rather simple if you have a pickle fork for the tie rods and ball joints. Now getting a new 3/4 ton spring rated at 5000 pounds compressed about 3 inches is a trick. We had to barrow a Snap On coil spring compressor and compress them down, then with new rubber isolators onto of the springs, throw the 30 or 40 pound spring up in the hole and jack the lower swing arm up to it. This is where we had another snag. Trying to keep the springs in the notch so they don't pop out as you jack the swing arm up is tricky. We finally ended up using a come along going from the swing arm to the rafter of our shed to pull it up and pry and beat on the spring to keep it in the notch. After it was all back together we let it down to earth and it drops and drops and keeps dropping. I gained an inch of height and a truck that rides like a lumber wagon in the front end. I then got some twist in coil spring boosters and that brought it up another inch and it looked good but ride quality was terrible. I now run it with just the springs and no twist in spacers and the springs have broken in and softened up a bit but the damn things still pop from time to time like they aren't seated in quite right. I would say get some twist in boosters and try those first. They are only like 5 bucks a pair and then see how you like it. If you want to go ahead and get the daystar spring spacers then thats fine but IMO its way more work then its worth.

[ck15002wd]

thanks for the input :thumbup:

[oldred95]

thanks for the input :thumbup:
Not a problem.

[Citizen Rider]

Id get new 1/2 ton springs or get the 454ss ones. New ones will get you back to stock, then put a daystar 1 1/4" coil spacer. That will level the front end out.

I have just a 3" body lift on my truck. And i clear 32x1150-15's easy!

[Ross]

Id put a daystar 1 1/4" coil spacer. That will level the front end out.
Yeah, just do coil spacers. Your ride won't go to hell.

[axisT6]

Dude, for $180 you can get a Rough Country 2" kit that includes EVERYTHING you will need. I run these coils on my truck, and I have to say that it is a true 2" lift, and the ride is beautiful.

[oldred95]

Dude, for $180 you can get a Rough Country 2" kit that includes EVERYTHING you will need. I run these coils on my truck, and I have to say that it is a true 2" lift, and the ride is beautiful.
I should have done that. I wish I would have known about fsc before I put those POS 3/4 ton springs on.

I just checked rough countries site and they show the 2 inch kit costing 325.

[ck15002wd]

Dude, for $180 you can get a Rough Country 2" kit

where for $180?

[Citizen Rider]

Not sure where for 180, but i know a guy on ebay thats sellin the kit for 115.
Ive ordered from Davy before and he is very fast and good to deal with.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7955260152&category=42609
if i ever get money i will eigther do coil spacers or this.

[axisT6]

where for $180?

www.roughcountry.com

[oldred95]

I think your wrong. http://rough.roughcountry.com/RC%20Web/88-98Chevy2wd.htm


Look at the pic of the fsc on this page. That looks exactly like twotone98Z71's only it has different wheels. http://rough.roughcountry.com/RC%20Web/Select_Vehicle.htm

[Luke2kZ71]

coil spacers is what i would use, cheap, easy fix

and i peiced together a 4" suspension kit for $500

a fabtech 3" is $600 .... so it was deffinatly cheaper and bigger :cool:

[The_Researcher]

Is rough country any good? They have 4" lift spindles for $279.00 on the site. Truck is being used just to haul some mulch and what not with no intentions ever to fo off-roading........

If the spindles will get me by well enough for this purpose its CHEAP then lol.