couple questions

[Goingbigger]

I am starting my build of a 84 xtra cab. Just dropped in a 355 motor all freshened up, putting in the th-350 soon and a np-205 t-case. I also just ordered a set of all pro 5" springs for $200. The truck already has a block in the rear and some kind of spring. The shackles are pushed back some so they aren't stock length, that's all I know of them. Then the spring over in the front. So it looks to be about 4" total in the suspension. Also 3" body. So when I put in these other springs. What kind of shocks should I use? Length, travel, etc... Also what other kind of problems am I looking at by putting that much lift on this thing?

Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Nick

[1985toyota]

take out the tape measure and measure for shocks lenghth wise, you should really ditch the blocks. my friends truck spit them out in a mud hole, ruined his springs, drive line, and a few nice dents in the bed now

[Goingbigger]

He must not have had them torqued down tight enough. We have even double stacked blocks on some pretty stout trucks and never had a problem. Some redneck riggin I know. We just use a real big impact gun and make sure they are real tight in there. I've never done it myself but I've seen it on a buddies f-350. LOL. These blocks that are in there are angled and everything. Real nice blocks so I really don't want to take them out. That and I would have to move the springs on the front under the axle again.
I guess what I'm looking for is steering problems and things like that.
Thanks
Nick

[Jeff T.]

I'll tell you now before the other guys rip you to shreds. The springs on the front of that truck were never under the axle. It's a toy, not a jeep or a binder. Second, using an impact wrench to get u-bolts super tight is a not so good idea. Just cause you saw your buddy witha F350 do it don't make it groovy. There is this thing called "torque", and it generally is a very specific ammount for a reason. It's a fact that if you over-tighten a bolt it will break or strip the threads off. Maybe while you are rolling down the hi-way.

Now, as to your first question...wilth a small block you won't get the ammount of lift advertised. Those springs are planned for use on a truck with a four-banger or a six. I would think that you won't know how much lift you're gonna get till you get it done and drive around for a couple of weeks to let the springs settle.



J

[Goingbigger]

Like I said, I've never done it. I do appreciate the info. I've never worked on one of these before and never dealt with many of these issues. I stumbled on the truck real cheap and decided to jump right into it. I had a lot of the drivetrain laying around so I figured what the hell might as well play with it.
As for the torque on the bolts, I know why they have torque values. These are not stock u-bolts by any means. This guy owns a machine shop and made them and the nuts. They are very beefy. I'm just saying I've never seen a block shoot out from under a spring before.
The guy I bought the truck from worked at an offroad place and was leaving to go to hawaii. Pungo offroad in Virginia Beach, VA.
I'm not sure what he did with the suspension, that's why I tried to explain what it looked like he had done.
The allpro springs I got are used, 4 years I believe in the rear and 1 year for the fronts. So they should settle fairly quickly once I get them on. My main conern right now is steering issues and shocks. Where and how am I supposed to measure to get the size I need? Do I just measure while it's sitting there or do I need to make it articulate to see how much travel I need?
Also if anyone has done a similar swap what kind of driveline issues did you have with it? The driveshafts won't be a problem as I can get those made pretty easily.
Thanks guys.
Nick

[bbagwell]

You need to measure for shocks fully extended and fully stuffed. So you need to flex it all the way and measure how long they will need to be and measure the tire that is stuffed and see how short they need to be able to compress.

I have seen someone who lost a lift block on the trail, it wasn't pretty.

[Jeff T.]

I'm guessing that you still have stock steering... with more than 3 inches of lift you'll need a dropped drag link. (CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, FELLAS) I know there has been a lot of talk about those here in the past couple of weeks, pro and con. Not sure where to get one, but Google is a wonderful thing.

BEST bet: crossover steering. You'll need a IFS steering box, the parts to mount it, and all the other stuff- rod ends, tubing, ect. Sky Manufacturig has theirs on sale. www.sky-manufacturing.com

J

[Goingbigger]

I'll see if I can get some pics of the suspension when i get back. And take some measurements. Hopefully you guys can help me figure out what it already has on it then.
As for the steering I don't want to go that complex with it yet.
What exactly does the drop drag link do? Any pics of them? I might have to start with something like that to get it going for now and move to some kind of hydraulic setup later or something.
Thanks for the help guys.
Nick