suspensions...need some advice

[pscheers]

i want to swithc the indipendent front suspension in ny 1989 k1500 with the suspension i have in my 1985 chevy.. i have already put and older v8 (computerless) in the truck.. i have a 6 in ch life on my 85 , new grears trany and transfer case ...what would the best way to go about it .......thanks
paul

[mrjohnwayne]

never done it but 75K30 can tell you a buttload about it. He's pretty knowledgable about that.

[75K30]

Thanks for the good words mrjohnwayne.
I have done severl "Solid axle swaps" on chevrolet trucks, and except for a bunch of labor, are pretty easy.
First deciding which type so suspension to use is key. While a coil spring set-up is pretty easy, it will require some fabrication.
Several companies like Off road unlimited make a bolt on kit for this application.
The toughest part is figuring out which way to go so the front axle, and rear axle use the same lug pattern.

[pscheers]

see i have alot og the leg work allready done .. i have a 1985 chevy 3/4 ton with a 6 inch lift... i want to basiclly take its suspension and drop it under my 1989 k1500 .... everything is brand new ... the leaf springs are re crowned , new trany / transfer case ...the whole nine ..all i need are shocks ... thanks for the help

[75K30]

Since you have some stuff that you can use, you may consider the amount of work involved with actually using it.
Using the older chevy axle is alright, but a time consuming process.
Since the differential is located on the pass side, it will require that you change the transfer case at a minimum. You will not be saving that much by using the existing components since the lug pattern is still a concern, unless you plan on running the rear axle as well.
Steering is something you are going to have to address, the two trucks sterr very differently, and steering can be a bit of a chore.
You are going to have to pay a lot of attention to suspension geometry. The frame drops right under the cab are different, very different, and are going to require some pretty fancy hangers and shackles to keep the front axle geametry right. Improper caster angles here will be the difference between a truck that will drive on the street or not. It does not take much to get this wrong. As little as a few degrees can make the truck drive very poorly.

What is the condition of the 85 truck? Are the similar enough (wheelbase)to swap bodies? Then the tough work is done.

[pscheers]

thanks alot for the help...see my 85 k15 , is a regular cab 8 foot box , but my 89 is a short box with extended cab...i plan on taking the brand new transfer case / tranny out of the 85 , along with the front and rear suspension and put it under the 89 ....jusat becasue i can buy a kit off of www.fabworx.com that locatges the hangers ...the reason is becasue a lift kit for a ifs is like 2500 when its all said and done ....i allready have a 6 inch lift on my 85 , and i can swap them for 500 and and labour....i just like the older straight axels for 4x4 alot better ..... thats my plan ...any ideas on how to makle it work.thanks again
pscheers

[75K30]

I get it. I have done plenty os solid axle swaps, and agree that the solid axle is much better than the independant stuff. It is a good deal of work, but worth it in the end.
Good luck with it, let us know how it turns out.

[pscheers]

thanks for the help ...is there any thing that u could let me in on , how to make it easier , and where to begin ??? thanks for the help once again
paul

[75K30]

If you buy a quality kit, then you will have an easy time with the upgrade. The toughest part is getting all of the old stuff off.
Before you fire up the hot wrench, you will want to make sure the springs that you intend to use will be the right length. I believe you can specify which springs you are going to use.
Take your time with the tape measure, these measurements are critical.
You are going to find a difference in steering. The 85 still steers from the driver side knuckle, and the box in the newer truck sweeps from left to right. The newer box is the way to go, you are just going to have to buy a kit to convert the pass side knuckle to accept a crossover steering arm.
Crossover steering is in my opinion the only way to go, especially for lifted trucks that will see some off road.
The push pull steering has way too much bumpsteer, and when lifted does not allow a full turning radius to one side (right turns). If the truck ever sees any off road, and the front end gets a little twisted up, you will find that even with the wheel turned all the way to the right, and the pass. side tire is stuffed into the wheel well, the truck will only go straight at best. That is as a drawback to the push pull steering, so do make sure you get a good crossover steering kit. This will be the one best improvement to the truck.
Good luck with it, sound like fun times ahead.

[pscheers]

THANK YOU SO MUCH
man you mad things so much more easy.i never even thought of the steering .you you know where i couold get the kit ......also i am going to put my new transmition in the truck , i have a 700/r4 , in the 89 , and my new 700r5 , wich came with my 1985 truck,which is the new tranny. i have to switch the transfer case , so will the shaft splines be the same....??????/ rite now when i drive my truck , the rin grar makes a horrible sound ...it sounds like a playing card in teh spokes of a bike , but lopuder .......but it will only do it mostly in reverse ,sometimes when im in drive .ive looked at it with the bell houseing off .tourque converter bolts are tight ...does anyone know .this is why im changin my trny.any susgestions