Chevy spring questions
 

i dont plan on lifting my truck any but do want to get better flex out of it and have better stability/reliability by putting full size springs on. Lift is just too much money right now.
How would i know how much "lift"springs i have to order to get rid of the stock block?
do i just remove the front spring hanger and the bolts that were in the front facing the truck put them in the back holes then drill 2 new ones?
do i have to do anything for the angle for the driveshaft?
do i need a new driveshaft?

other set of questions.
would i be able to haul more in the bed/towing or would i still be limited by its only a ranger?

Better let bob or zach answer this one...

Stock 63" 88~98 C/K1500 springs in good condition can eliminate the blocks.

Only one of the hanger bolt holes lines up perfectly after the shift forward. the other needs to be slotted to match the frame on a 2001. Then two more holes are drilled in the frame for the front bolts.

The stock driveshaft works fine with the new springs and I didn't adjust the pinion angle. I have had it up near the speed limiter without any new vibration.

A Ranger is still a small truck even with heavier duty springs. Most have a payload rating of about 1200 pounds. I can't recommend it but I hauled a scaled 2300 pounds of stone in mine with the Chevy springs. There was about 1" of travel left before the bumpstops would contact.

What bob said.

if you remove the blocks and put in stock c/k1500 spings wit should sit close to where it does right now.

you wont want to order "lift" springs. you want the stock leaf packs.

driveshaft angle should be fine as you are not lifting or changing the height of your truck.

What about a 2004? Is there anything different? I was thinking Chevy springs, but I wasn't sure about what was required. Also, how difficult is the spring installation? Will it take me just a few hours or eat up an entire weekend? I am very mechanically skilled, but I have no experience with suspension.

if i put chevy springs on my 91 would it fit? if i removed the stock block would it remain the same height? would it increase payload?

its not bad. it will work on an 04 assuming its 4wd or the 2wd edge

you will have to remove the bed. and just move the front spring perches forward 6" or basically reuse the front holes and drill 2 newones in the frame.

took me one evening.

it took me about 6 hours... i have the 4x4 1500 springs so it gave me a lil extra lift

I want to get rid of my lift blocks, but I don't exactly have the funding for a superlift, and I don't want a body lift at all. If I use the stock replacement chevy springs, does that only lift the truck enough to get rid of the blocks? Or will I have to get lift springs? What about maintaining pinion angle? And shocks, will I be able to use my stock shocks?

Pinion angle will be fine.
Stock shocks should be fine
If you do not have any lift currently the stock chevy half ton springs will work fine if you remove your blocks. it should sit level or how it sits now.

You do not need lift springs, just chevy stock leaf springs like mentioned above.

i have chevy lift springs the 3" ones to be exact and no blocks and it works perfect for my superlift.

OK, thanks. One more... where can I get some springs and how much are they?

i would check junk yards. 88-98 half ton and i think the 2wd ones are better. but 4wd springs are stiffer.

you can call spring manufactures, but i know the local one around here wants 260 each for stock chevy springs.

Appreciate it

no problem.

I paid $80 for a pair of junkyard springs from a 96 C1500. You should be able to get a set for $100 or less. Obviously, later years/lower miles would be preferred and you should get both springs from the same 88~98 donor Chevy. 2WD C1500's have 4 leaves, 4WD K1500's have 5 and probably give a little more lift and a firmer ride.

Most vehicles tend to sag to the driver's side with age. Rangers may be even more susceptible since the driver, transfer case and fuel tank are all on one side of the truck.

After disassembly, cleaning and painting, I picked out the individual leafs with more arc and assembled a taller spring for the driver's side. If you don't want to disassemble the spring packs, you could probably get a similar effect by installing the complete PS Chevy spring on the DS of the Ranger and vice versa.

Hmm... good advice. I will probably call some junkyards tomorrow, I live about an hour away from, say, 30 of them. And tomorrow is my birthday, so maybe my wife will let me get some springs.