Chinook RV

I was considering the Action Van 4" lift kit which is around $2000 including shocks, etc. Their approach is a drop down radius arm vs bending the arms.

Insteady my Moog CC880S front coil springs ($110) were just installed. In the picture I have 235/85R16 tires (about 2.5" taller than stock) onthe front and 215/85r16 on the rear (1.5" taller.)

I have 8" clearance top of front tire tp wheel well which should settle out to 7.5" and be just inside the range of alignment.

Now to replace the rear with 3" arch springs... Bill

If your looking to do it on the cheap... why not just install taller spacer blocks between the leaf spring and the axle?

Because blocks suck. Big difference between lowest cost and greatest value. My approach gives me new springs all around and the lift I desire.

You do realize your truck already has blocks on it?

Thanks for posting this, Bill. I like your approach. I've had those exact Moog springs in my shopping cart for ages, but haven't purchased yet due to other projects. Glad you confirmed that they don't put you out of your alignment adjustment range. I was also wondering about ride quality due to loss of droop. Assuming you're going to wait until they settle before aligning ... Any idea how long that would take? I've lifted a bunch of vehicles, just not with coil springs, so I'm curious.

dougm wrote: June 1st, 2018, 2:05 pm You do realize your truck already has blocks on it?

I'm not b6fischer, but mine does not have blocks. Just regular old spring perches.

I wouldn't use blocks to lift it either.

Scott,
I'm making a run from VA to NJ and back tomorrow. I'm hoping those 700+ miles will settle them. Will install the rear springs too before alignment.

I found a pair of used Goodyear G614 14-ply tires, LT235/85R16 for $45 I'm running on the front checking fit so don't care if I screw them up some before alignment.

I'll report back the road test.

Interesting work, bfischer - thanks for posting it here.

Great idea on the "sacrifical" tires while you're getting things set up.

Well finally pulled the trigger on the new rear springs and picked it up today from the shop. I am very pleased with the results both visually and the way it drives and handles. I ended up ordering a pair of 5,000# 10-leaf springs from General Spring. These are the standard 1-7/8" arch springs. Great folks. Called them when I had a question about which u-bolts to order. He simply did it right on the phone, suggested new shackles, bolts, etc. All in - $677 shipped to Richmond, VA (Shipping was about $150) and it arrived in 3 days. Got a chuckle when my wife said she went to move the delivery from in front of the garage door where she parks (238#!! lol.)

Looking sharp! Did the front settle after that road trip? Any issues with installing yourself? I've done lift kits on smaller trucks, this thing is such a beast sometimes I just think about letting the guys at a shop do the heavy lifting...

I had a local shop install the springs/shocks. He said the right side was no problem but the left was a pain. Evidently he had no room to remove a bolt so they had to punch and cut it repeatedly until free. The front settled a bit and I'll take it to an alignment shop after a couple more local trips. I certainly feel the give and softer ride likely due in part to the new shackles and hardware.