Ordered new "Stock" leafs & shackles from Rockauto and got 2.5" lift on the rear and 1/2" lift in the front. Now I need to get 1" spacers for the front to get back even. Rear went from 16.5" center rim to 19" and front went from 17.5" to 18". They looked like original leaf springs and were sagging so hard they were pretty much flat all the way across. Good problem to have I guess.

 

Before you go messing with the front you may let it settle in a couple months. Lots of people talk about how they settle down after some use.

 

Thanks for the info, I was ready to jump right on it to even it up.

 

Just curious jhc,
could you share the part numbers for the rear springs from Rock Auto ... I want to see if I can get a pair for my 96.

Did you ask for 'stock' or lifted height when you ordered?

Thanks,
fast

 

They should settle a pretty good bit.

 

Dorman Leaf Springs - OES 929-301 $91.79 Ea.
Dorman Shackles - OES 722-024 $46.79 Ea.

It didn't say anything about being lifted so as far as I know they should have been standard.

 

That sounds like a good price on rear leaf springs? Does anybody know if we can even buy a true 2" to 2.5" 'lift' spring pack for $92.00 bucks a side anywhere?

Thanks,
fast

 

That's not really a true 2.5" lift. You got back to stock height and perhaps an extra inch which is common for these springs. Most refer to them as the Heavy-Duty or UpCountry package springs.

May I ask why you didn't buy the Omix-Ada shackles for $15 each since the Dorman leafs come with bushings already?

I wouldn't suggest spacers up front just yet, like the others said wait until they settle a bit. Your factory coil spring insulator might be a bit worn up front and replacing it could get you perfect once the rear has settled.

 

I wanted to get Doorman leafs & shackles to match each other and the shackles only come with one set of bushings and the leafs had their set of bushings so that covered both ends of the shackles. Also I wasn't buying them with lift intended I was just trying to get to stock. I read somewhere that stock height is 17.5 to center of rim. Also I did not know that the leafs were anything other than stock?

Thanks for the advice on the isolators. If I was to replace those I would probably go ahead and do the springs as well as everything associated with it. I am trying to get her in good shape for many years to come. I plan on having it as my daily driver for a long time.

 

The Pro Comp 53111 2.5" leaf will give you about that lift for $105 a side. Mine started off at 3.5" but have settled (after 3 months) to right at 2.5" with a full tank.

 

You will find there are many different types of "stock" leaf springs: light duty, medium duty, heavy duty and the factory UpCountry springs (1" lift). Most people seem to refer to the Dorman ones as Heavy Duty which provides a little lift depending on if you are completely stock or have a heavy rear bumper and gear in the back. So some may refer to these particular springs as similar to the UpCountry package springs because of their small height lift.