What years of s-10 s-10 blazers have the best donor leafs? Do the '90's Bravada's have the same set up? Want to get 4"-5.5" if I can.

 

To get 4-5.5" lift I'd use Dakota leafs, from my research they are the same spring rate as stock XJ leafs so you won't get the real stiff ride you'll get from S10 leafs

 

OK great so any year in the '90's or some '80's? And should I use the top leaf from my pack and add the rest from the dakota or both packs combined?

 

Use your main leaf, cut eye's off main leaf of Dakota pack and mix and match from there to get the height you want. 80-90's Dakota's from a 2wd. I found them to be spring under with more arch to the leafs than the 4x4 ones. I have a set sitting in my garage I was going to use but went with a new set of 3" from RC.

 

Read my "Finally Lifted" thread I tell how I did it. I would just use the top XJ leaf and the rest of the s10/dakota pack under it. Mixing and matching would involve more drilling. I got over 5" with mine so I'm sure you'll get between 4.5" and 5.5" this way (depending on the condition of both sets of leaves) Oh and the ride is fine... I cant really notice a difference from stock to tell you the truth

 

Thanks

 

Hmmm, going to have to go to the JY on Wed (1/2 price day!) and see if they have a Dakota. I am going to be buying a RC 3" lift but I want to do a BP for the rear because I want to have a little more lift in the back (3" in front and 3.5-4" in the back). I like the raked look. That and with the AAL lift and the 141K miles on my Jeep I want to make sure I am not at 2" lift in the back!

Thanks for the info!

 

So a '97 2wd blazer or bravada would prob do it to?

 

To use the S10 leaves, you need the heavy duty four leaf spring from an 80s or 90s Blazer. Use your main leaf and the bottom three leaves for a 4" lift. Cut off the main leaf eyes and use all the leaves for a 5" lift. Add a 1" spacer block and get a 6" lift.

 

I think blazers, bravadas and jimmy's would all do the trick as well...and I didn't use any "heavy duty" version - just regular s10 springs. They had 3 leaves and 1 thick overload (which I didn't use because I was afraid that it would act like a shovel and scoop up mud and sticks)

 

That was the heavy duty. The light duty have only three leaves.

 

Yep Blazer, Bravada and Jimmy's are all the same..

 

OK so look for a 2wd s-10 blazer bravada jimmy with three leaf and one big over load leaf. DO I have it?

 

I used a stock 3rd down leaf, and a 3" aal, i got a total of 5.2" lift. but thats now 6 leafs in each pack. its kind of stiff.. i figure after it settles i should be about 4-4.5" then i will do a lift shackle..

 

Yup. That is what they call a two stage spring. It will work well. Hey, check your "What you do out of your XJ" post