The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1969 - 1972 Blazers and Jimmys Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-10-2018, 06:13 PM   #1
hemi43
Registered User
 
hemi43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,496
Tuff Country EX Ride springs

Here's some info on my spring install today.

Current ride height to mark on the fender is 39". This is with the stock springs which have a stacked height of 1" (leaves are 5/16" thick approx).
The new springs which are rated as a 2" lift raised the truck over 3".These springs have a higher spring rate than stock and have a stacked height of around 1 1/4". (the leaves are 3/8 thick approx)

Much higher than I wanted ! If I kept these springs. I would need to replace all the shock because there's less that 1" left of extension, and I would have to replace the steering arm to prevent bump steer.

I've opted to re-arc the new springs and take out 1 1/2", and hopefully end up with a height of around 41".
Attached Images
    
hemi43 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2018, 07:58 PM   #2
SeventyOne
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Oakland, Ca
Posts: 1,359
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

Are you comparing old saggy stock springs with the new 2" lift springs for that measurement?

I wonder if those new 2"ers settle some too.

Just food for thought.
SeventyOne is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2018, 11:16 PM   #3
hemi43
Registered User
 
hemi43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,496
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

Quote:
Originally Posted by SeventyOne View Post
Are you comparing old saggy stock springs with the new 2" lift springs for that measurement?

I wonder if those new 2"ers settle some too.

Just food for thought.
Yeah, the old springs were tired. I'm sure the new springs will settle a bit, but not an 1 1/2". Hopefully picking up the springs tomorrow and will reinstall them.
hemi43 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2018, 08:57 AM   #4
68panelman
Registered User
 
68panelman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Delaware and Long Island, New York
Posts: 3,438
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

My eyes are playing tricks again, photo three the truck looks higher than photo one?
68panelman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2018, 09:16 AM   #5
Bigdav160
Registered User
 
Bigdav160's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Klein Texas
Posts: 3,852
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

I think photo one is stock ride height and photo three is with the 2" lift.

I had the same issue. Tuff Country 2" lift seems like a 4" lift. Yes, I had bump steering and had to add a raised steering arm also.
__________________
My Classics:
'72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon
'72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster
'73 Z-28 Camaro
'63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup
'50 Ford Coupe
Bigdav160 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2018, 09:24 AM   #6
A1971Blazer
Senior Member
 
A1971Blazer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 2,101
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

I think I might have ran them for a while first...although re-arching will bring them down....they would probably have sagged after a while..maybe?

My K/5 has a 4" BDS kit and it's higher than I like...I bought a Tuff Country, all spring, 2½" kit, with shocks, that I will be installing soon...so I'm anxious to see how your ride is with those springs...please keep us updated on this mod...thanks
__________________
1967 C10 Step side
1968 C10 Step side
1970 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer
1972 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer
.............
A1971Blazer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2018, 11:07 AM   #7
6768chevylover
Registered User
 
6768chevylover's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: nepa
Posts: 745
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

Hemi did you only do the front springs? Curious if the rears will do the same thing.
6768chevylover is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2018, 11:09 AM   #8
Lieferson
Registered User
 
Lieferson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Graham, WA
Posts: 283
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

I ordered a 4" ez ride lift, and it came with 6" rear lift springs. It ended up being almost 7" higher than the wore out stock suspension. I daily drive my K5 and since i installed the lift it has only settled about 3/4 of an inch. In my opinion, the stance and height you want, you would probably be best to just buy stock replacement springs...
__________________
1970 1/2 ton 4x4 4spd Suburban
1972 K10 350/700R/205/ Sniper EFI Daily Driver Sold
1971 K5 on 35s Traded
1972 K5 3/4 ton PROJECT Sold
Lieferson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2018, 02:17 PM   #9
hemi43
Registered User
 
hemi43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,496
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

Just got back home with the springs. I got them lowered 1 1/2".
I'll post some pictures when I get them put in. Once I'm happy with the ride height up front, my plan is to get new springs for the rear.
It seems like a lot screwing around, but my initial idea was to increase the front spring rate without raising the truck so high that I got into bump steer and over travelling my shocks.
If my calculations are correct, purchasing stock height rear springs will put the truck almost level.
hemi43 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2018, 11:33 PM   #10
hemi43
Registered User
 
hemi43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,496
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

Front springs are perfect now. The truck is basically at stock height now, so hopefully the numbers I'm posting will help someone in the future.
I do however have to replace the U bolts, because the new spring pak is thicker than stock.
Hoping to order the rear stock height springs tomorrow.
I realize it may be difficult to see the difference in the pictures I posted, but up close an inch here or there makes a world of difference.
I will also be installing a 73up sway bar, but unfortunately have to wait till spring before I can road test it.
Attached Images
  
hemi43 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2018, 05:36 PM   #11
twp1
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 351
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

My front springs have 4 leafs is that normal or do you think someone added a leaf?
twp1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2018, 09:10 PM   #12
Mike C
Registered User
 
Mike C's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posts: 7,709
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

Standared is two leaves. HD is three leaves. With 4 sounds like an add-a-leaf or an increased load extra spring.
__________________
44 Willys MB
52 M38A1
64 Corvette Coupe
68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700
69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110
69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop
72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's
02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax
Mike C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2018, 09:38 PM   #13
hemi43
Registered User
 
hemi43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,496
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

Got the new rear springs installed today ( part# 22-403). Was also able to get the front anti-sway bar mounted too.
Did lots of measuring of the chassis, and ended up mounting the rear axle 5/8" rearward so that it fits the wheel opening a bit better. I also corrected the slight "crab walk" the truck had. I did however have to make a tapered 2 1/2 degree spacer to keep the U-joints in sinc. Lots of snow here, so will be a few months before I can test out how it rides and handles now. I suspect those front springs will be a huge improvement.
hemi43 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2018, 10:24 PM   #14
mortoyz
Active Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Maroa, IL
Posts: 124
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

Quote:
Originally Posted by hemi43 View Post
Got the new rear springs installed today ( part# 22-403). Was also able to get the front anti-sway bar mounted too.
Did lots of measuring of the chassis, and ended up mounting the rear axle 5/8" rearward so that it fits the wheel opening a bit better. I also corrected the slight "crab walk" the truck had. I did however have to make a tapered 2 1/2 degree spacer to keep the U-joints in sinc. Lots of snow here, so will be a few months before I can test out how it rides and handles now. I suspect those front springs will be a huge improvement.
What steps did you take to correct crab walk and move the axle back?
mortoyz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2018, 11:51 AM   #15
hemi43
Registered User
 
hemi43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,496
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

Quote:
Originally Posted by mortoyz View Post
What steps did you take to correct crab walk and move the axle back?
The spacer blocks with the 2 1/2 degree taper are about 1" thick in the middle. All I did was off set the locating pin rearward to move the axle backwards. It doesn't take much to have a noticeable crab walk. The driver's side is only 1/4" further back than the passenger side and it made a world of difference.
My truck has never been hit, and suspect that the slight crab walk has been in the truck since new because of build tolerances back in 1970.

I would be curious if anyone else's truck is out like mine, and it only takes a couple Guys and 3 minutes to find out. You need a dead straight bar about 8 feet long and a tape measure. Have someone hold the bar against the side of the rear tire with one end of the bar almost touching the front tire. Now the other person can measure the distance from the bar to a solid point on the frame. I used the bottom bolt of the front spring shackle. Do this on both sides and compare your measurement. I had an 1 1/2" difference. By moving the driver's side rear end back 1/4", I was able to reduce this difference to 3/8", which IMO is close enough. I hope you can understand what I'm trying to explain.

I will take a picture of the tapered block installed later today.

Last edited by hemi43; 01-15-2018 at 12:05 PM.
hemi43 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2018, 02:51 PM   #16
hemi43
Registered User
 
hemi43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,496
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

Here's the block. Angle of picture makes it look like the axle is real far back, but it's only 7/8" on driver's side and 5/8" on passenger's side.
Attached Images
 
hemi43 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2018, 04:18 PM   #17
mortoyz
Active Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Maroa, IL
Posts: 124
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

Quote:
Originally Posted by hemi43 View Post
Here's the block. Angle of picture makes it look like the axle is real far back, but it's only 7/8" on driver's side and 5/8" on passenger's side.
Thanks!!
mortoyz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2018, 03:18 AM   #18
argonaut
Senior Member
 
argonaut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 1,813
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

What size are your tires? need to know this to compare to my blazer.
A more generic measurement for comparison would be from the bottom of the spring pack to the underside of the frame, no?
__________________
Jason M. @argonaut62

1972 K5 Blazer CST, Turquoise
1966 K20 Short Fleet Pickup, Big Ugly
1964 C10 Short Fleet, Gertrude

2001 Porsche 911 Carrera
1996 Ford Bronco XLT
1980 Jeep Wagoneer

2008 Honda CBR1000RR
2005 Honda RC51
1981 Honda CB750C


No dis-assemble Johnny Five! No dis-assemble!
argonaut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2018, 09:23 AM   #19
mdlewis78
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fishers, Indiana
Posts: 5
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

Interesting, I recently ordered and installed their 4"/5" ez ride kit, with all new springs front and rear. I have over 6" of lift in the front and about 5.5" of lift in the rear. Same as previous comments, the 4" front springs actually seem like 6" springs. I am working with Tuff Country now to get a fix.

What is the process for have the new springs re-arched?
__________________
Mark
1971 K5
mdlewis78 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2018, 10:21 AM   #20
hemi43
Registered User
 
hemi43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,496
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

Quote:
Originally Posted by argonaut View Post
What size are your tires? need to know this to compare to my blazer.
A more generic measurement for comparison would be from the bottom of the spring pack to the underside of the frame, no?
It doesn't matter where you measure from. My initial measurement (which was the line on the masking tape) was just for reference so I could see how much change the new springs would do.
My tires are 12 1/2 X 33.
hemi43 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2018, 10:27 AM   #21
hemi43
Registered User
 
hemi43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,496
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

Quote:
Originally Posted by mdlewis78 View Post
Interesting, I recently ordered and installed their 4"/5" ez ride kit, with all new springs front and rear. I have over 6" of lift in the front and about 5.5" of lift in the rear. Same as previous comments, the 4" front springs actually seem like 6" springs. I am working with Tuff Country now to get a fix.

What is the process for have the new springs re-arched?
The old springs you were replacing were probably sagged 1 1/2", and the new springs will settle 1/2" or so. The 4" advertised lift from Tuff Country is from new stock height springs, so seeing a 6" lift is correct.

To de-arch the springs you need to take them to a spring shop and have them reshape the leaves to the correct height. It's an easy process, but you need a power hammer. It only cost me $60 to have mine de-arched.
hemi43 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2018, 11:27 AM   #22
rads42
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Orange, CT
Posts: 72
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

Now that you've been through all of this with the height do you think if you had to do it over you would just go with stock springs?
rads42 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2018, 05:52 PM   #23
hemi43
Registered User
 
hemi43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,496
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

Quote:
Originally Posted by rads42 View Post
Now that you've been through all of this with the height do you think if you had to do it over you would just go with stock springs?
I wanted stock springs from the beginning. The fronts are not available, at least here in Canada. I had 3 different spring shops try and source them for me with no luck.
I really didn't got through too much hassle, and it only cost me $60 to get them re-arched. It was all worth it because I'm happy with the ride height.
hemi43 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2018, 11:50 AM   #24
hemi43
Registered User
 
hemi43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,496
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

Finally got a chance to go for a ride today on the new springs. Wow, is all I can say ! Huge difference in the feel. Braking is excellent now because the old springs wanted to pull to the right under heavy braking. The ride quality is not as harsh as I would have thought. Well worth the money so far. I'll have to take it on some rough roads when things dry up to see how it handles in that.
hemi43 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2018, 09:01 PM   #25
jamie72
Senior Member
 
jamie72's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: madison indiana
Posts: 3,840
Re: Tuff Country EX Ride springs

any pics on how you mounted the sway bar to frame?
__________________
jamie72
72 BB cheyenne -- Restoration getting started..

member #807



http://www.myspace.com/whitetailobsession
www.antlertalk.com
jamie72 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:46 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com