springs

[pl747]

I have a 1988 S10 with the 2.5 engine/air/power/5 speed and I am wanting to improve the handling. It holds the road good but \"wallows\" too much...like the front end is much too soft. I have the factory 4 cylinder springs and factory sway bar on it. The shocks are Monroe gas. I have a lot of gravel road so I don\'t want to lower it too much. A little would be all right. I plan on puttig a small block/automatic in it when the 2.5 gives out. I like the way the strut suspension cars and 3/4 ton pickups drive and want it similar. I know I need to change springs for sure. I don\'t know what the spring rate is for the stock springs...anyone know? I\'d like to hear from someone that has actually changed their springs to a heavier rate and how it worked out. How heavy a rate do I need to go to? 600-700 #/inch?

[ZR1BLAZER]

if your not to worried about lowering it just change the shocks. i used eldebrock IAS shocks. they run about $70 each but give an awsome ride. if you wnat to lower it now then buy a set of lowered springs for a monte carlo ss. stock the blazer with a 4.3 and a monte ss have the same exact part # for the front springs. so if you go with a 3\" drop spring and keep the motor you have it should sit about the same but have a stiffer ride. but when you put in the v8 it will be a 3\" drop. i did mine like that and it sits fine. not to high and not to low. you can find the front springs at www.classicindustries.com they are priced pretty fair. http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif

[pl747]

So you used the 3\" lowering springs for a Blazer 4.3 or the Monte Carlo SS? And you also have the 2.5 in your S10? I was thinking something along those lines...I knew it would have to be a drop spring to stay at my present height. And I wouldn\'t mind a 2\" or so drop but nothing lower than that. I don\'t want to have clearance problems. That\'s what I want is a good firm ride..almost stiff. I drive it pretty hard..even on gravel. I run 50-60 on most gravel roads. Do you have polyureathane bushings in your A frames?

[ZR1BLAZER]

i used the 3\" drop springs from a monte carlo. if you used this spring and kept the 2.5 the ride height would stay the same as it is now. what i was saying is that a stock 4.3 s-10 and a stock monte carlo ss have the same spring from the factory. so if you dropin a v8 later you will have a 3\" drop. but you will not have any clearance problems. a 3\" drop in the front looks good and you can still lay down and slide half you body under the truck. but with the springs use some good shocks to get that firm ride. and yes i have poly bushings through out. my blazer drives like a vette around corners just doesnt ride as rough.

[pl747]

That sounds like what I need...where did you get yours? Do you happen to have the part number? Did you try them with run of the mill shocks? I guess the Camaro would have the same spring too...and I guess something like an Iroc or Z28 spring would be even stiffer...Are you using the stock sway bar?

[ZR1BLAZER]

ya the iroc and z28 should be about the same. i dont have a part # i bought them about 2 years ago. i got them at classic ind. just tell them you want a set of 87 monte carlo ss 3\" drop springs. i dont remeber what i payed but it wasnt to bad. you can find front s-10 springs in truckin mag for around $30 or so. dont know how good they are??? i never tried them with stock shocks just the IAS that is all i will use. got them on every car i own. my front sway bar is a hotchkis 1 3/4\" and i added a 1 5/8\" hotchkis in the rear.

[pl747]

I will try those out in the next month or so. Those large swaybars would be nice too. I have heard a lot about those IAS shocks...all good. I will try it with my stock shocks first. Then I may try them...that way I can have a good comparison. What size tires/wheel combination are you using? That can make quite a bit of difference too.

[ZR1BLAZER]

i am using the corvette zr1 wheels.



front- 17\"x9.5\"

275/45/zr17 nitto 555 extremes



rear-17\"x11\"

335/35/zr17 nitto 555r extreme drag radials

[pl747]

They fit? Did you modify anything? I don\'t know what the backspacing is but that is pretty wide. Can you turn them lock to lock without them hitting? Got a picture?

[ZR1BLAZER]

i had to put on a set of 2\" spacers all the way around. i can turn lock to lock but rub a little on large sway bar. here is some pics of my blazer.

http://community.webshots.com/user/inthe12s

[bratass]

Where do you get 2 inch spacers and how many$$$

[ZR1BLAZER]

you can find them on ebay. i had mine custom built at a local machine shop out of air craft aluminum. they cost me $600. but i freind of mine bought his on ebay and they look just as good as mine. and same kind of material they only ran him $200 for they set. boy do i feel like a dumb A** http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_eek.gif