What is the length of rear springs out of an '85 extended cab, does it differ between 2WD and 4x4 models.

I'm pretty sure they are all 52" ? 2 or 4wd.

All S10 rear springs are interchangeable from 82 on up. The only ones that are different are those on the ZR2. Heh Heh... You broke one, didn't you? :p

Anybody got any ideas on good springs to swap in for more lift and that can still flex nice........Yea I want my cake and want to eat it too.

My ZR2 has the same springs in the rear as all the other s-10's. The lift is built into the mounts.

For more lift, do a SOA (spring over axle)

I used the same spring on the front that we have in the rear. When I did this, I used a 2" johny joint ( from currie enterprises) in one of the eyeletts. Technically this would offer lots of flex. You HAVE to use 2nd gen s-10 springs though. The eye thats mounted to the frame has a 2" hole for the eyelette, and the shackle should take up the other end's flex. I've been told that the NEWEST full sizes use a 56" long spring, but I cannot confirm or deny that fact.

If you use the johny joint, you'll have to weld up and re drill the mounting hole on the frame, factory is 1/2", the johny joint uses 7/16". And you'll have to fab a spacer to take up the slack between the joint and the mounts of the frame. The spring is wider than the johny joint.

I haven't had a chance to test it since I still don't have 4 wheel drive. Mine's been a slow project. And I'm getting ready to swap a ford 9" into the rear.
Any questions, give me a call @ 408-685-6726

OK all well and good but what do you do when you are already SPA, have longer shackles and have 4" lift blocks and you want more lift? Well since its a 2wd frame you find 4wd frame mounts for the front eye of the rear springs, but good luck because GM doesn't sell them unless you buy the whole frame. Junk yards are hard because mose won't let you carry in your tourches or a grinder. What now??

Time to start fab'n. You could go trailing arms w/ coilover shocks. Custom arched leaf springs. 4 link trailing arms. And thats about it as far as I know. Good luck.