For my rear suspension. just ordered the DIY4X shackle flip and their 6" shackles, and zero rate add a leaves from ORD, and I can't decide if it's worth it to go and buy some 56s, clean 'em up, take a leaf or two(or however many it needs) out and run those, or just take some leaves out of my 52s that I have now, and clean 'em up and run those. I'm trying to get anywhere around 5 inches of lift

I've heard the 56s are nice springs, but is it worth it to move the front hanger forward and buying new leaves to run the 56s? anyone seen anyone run these or run them yourself?

I think you are making it more complicated than it really is.....to convert from 52 to 56" rear leaves all you have to do is flip sides on the DIY brackets and bolt up the 56" springs. Wheelbase will stay the same if you run them in the forward direction, if you flip the springs backwards it will lengthen the wheelbase about 4" and typically only requires a longer driveshaft and maybe modifying the shock mounts. Not sure why you would need to move the front spring hangers???

Like above stated, you do not need to move the front spring hanger forward for 56's, only for 63's. The 52" and 56" have the same distance from front bushing to center pin, the extra 4" is all from the center pin to rear shackle bushing. Because of this you will have to swap your shackle flip from left to right to have the correct shackle angle (use the right side on the left and the left side on the right).

To answer your question, yes it will be worth doing. If you want 5" lift using the zero rate, don't remove any leaves if they are 1/2 ton 56's. If they are 3/4 ton you will want to remove some leaves to get some flex. I recommend 56's springs that come out of a mid 70's 1/2 ton GM. That is the year I used and like the flex

yes, do it. I did and help a lot in the flex department, or just run longer shackles and the 56s

oh yeah, the 56s aren't centered. I forgot.

but, I have a mid 70s 1/2 ton. it has 52s. what trucks do these 56s come out of?

better to run ford 57"s from half tons
the 56s are from 3/4 tons and one tons IIRC

what years? I guess i'll have to figure out how many leaves to take out? i dunno what they look like either...

gonna go to pick n pull this weekend, got a ton of shit I gotta buy for my truck, i'll get some rear springs too

If you don't have the springs yet, I'd consider running 64s. They're amazing for leaf springs. And you can get "younger" springs.

If you want 56s you'll find them in 3/4-1 ton pickups and Suburbans. Sometime in the late 70s they changed spring bushing size on one end of the spring.

56's do come in the 1/2 tons also not only the 3/4 and 1 tons. All 3/4 and 1 tons will have 56's. It's wierd, no ryhm or or reason about it. My 52" fronts came out of a 77 longbed 2wd with a stright six and three on the tree. My rear 56's came out of a 75 2wd shortbox auto and 350. Just go the the local wrecking yard with a tape measure and source them out. But yeah, most everyone state 56's only come out of 3/4 ton or larger, but no so. So discredit 1/2 tons for getting under and measuring them. Once you know you can spot them without a tape measure, the rear shackle hanger is noticable mounted rearward. Good luck.

Ohh yeah, don't forget about Suburbans also. I have gotten 56's out of the rear of 1/2 ton 4x4 Suburban also. That vehicle was a 91' and the springs were clamped front and rear of the center pin and didn't really flex as well as the unclamped 56's found in the older vehicles. Stick to mid 70's and you'll be golden.

Aaron.

Get some 63"s and do the swap.
I just did mine last week and the flex is insane!!
Love it.

better to run ford 57"s from half tons
the 56s are from 3/4 tons and one tons IIRC

What year ford for the 57" or would a 63" swap be better.

IMHO, the 63's are better.
The ride on the road is super smooth, and the flex it great.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2373944100050049063JAaWFQ
I got mine from a 90 chevy half ton.

Ive got a spring related question that runs along these same lines.

On my chevy(77 frame/60 body) i have 52" on the rear with ord shackle flip, i was already planning on getting a set of 52" for the front.

My question is can i just take the 52"'s out of the rear install in the front as i planned, and find a set of 56"'s for the rear and flip flop sides with the ord shackle flip?

If that is possible i'd be way happier out on the trails.

yeah I think you could do that ^

and, are you guys saying that I should do the 63" swap saying that I should move both my gas tanks to the bed?

The only reason you would need to move the tanks is if they get hit alot.
I had to take mine out, they were getting so dented and creased I was afraid that they might start to leak.
You don't have to put it in the bed, look around and see if you can find a car tank that might fit under the bed or use a blazer tank and put it in the back underneath.
I got a nice little chevy tank that fits behind the seat in my bed. Does not take up much room like the blazer tank did back there.

The only reason you would need to move the tanks is if they get hit alot.
I had to take mine out, they were getting so dented and creased I was afraid that they might start to leak.
You don't have to put it in the bed, look around and see if you can find a car tank that might fit under the bed or use a blazer tank and put it in the back underneath.
I got a nice little chevy tank that fits behind the seat in my bed. Does not take up much room like the blazer tank did back there.
lemme show you a 'lil somethin. I wish you were right, but...

passenger side:
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/6418/mhkhk007vs3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

driver side:
http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/5691/mhkhk006gj4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I just recently did a 52" spring swap on my '77 Chevy at the chassis fab department of Wyotech. I will never go back to store bought lifts again. Rides smoother than factory and cost me $32. I built the front spring mounts and shackles from scratch. The rear I built my own shackle flip with 2.5" blocks. Used to have just 4" springs and blocks and the rear was where the only flexing was going on. I also left my front axle in the stock location and found out why it needs to be moved. The springs compress so much that the tires hit the rear of the inner fender. I'm running 39.5x13.50 Swamper IROCS with a 3" body lift.
Here are two pics of it partially flexed. The rear still had more but didn't want to roll it.

http://pictures.sprintpcs.com/i/158267197957_3300_1.jpg?
http://pictures.sprintpcs.com/i/158267178245_3300_1.jpg?