Help me figure out how my suspension is setup

So, I was looking at my suspension the other day while I was working on something under the truck, and realized that there were a few spacers that looked like a suspension lift. I knew my truck had a 3'' body lift when I bought it, but not a suspension lift.



I am pretty sure #1 is a spacer for a suspension lift, but what about #2. Is that just an OEM spacer in between the spring and the top plate? #1 is about an 1'' tall.

And if I remove the the top spacer can I run the longer studs without a problem?

I have 33'' tires and I dont think they will rub. I always wondered why the front of the truck was a bit higher than the rear. (no lift on the rear as far as I can tell, no blocks, and the leafs look stock)

And on that subject, these trucks have 3 leaf (plus the overload leaf) pack, right?

 

First yes both of those pieces are lift spacers, usually to give about 2.5 inches of lift. Remove them And replace with Bilstien 5100 shocks. Those spacers are nothing but trouble.
With the Bilstien 5100 shocks which seems to be an alltime favorite on this site, you can get 2.5 inches of lift max with stock springs, unless you can also get eibach springs for 3" of lift. And you should still clear the tires. As for the leafs yes there is 4 total.

 

really? both are lift spacers??

....ugh...stupid rednecks and their half ass shit.

BTW...im a redneck...just not a "stupid" redneck.

I was planning on doing 5100's w/ OME 881 coils and a 1.5" Wheelers 5 pack in the rear.

I don't want a full 3'' more like 2'' in the front and 1.5'' in the back. (both the front coils and rear leafs are sagging pretty good so I will get more lift than what I have now anyways). I am also going to run 31's instead of the 33's when I do this, and remove the BL.

So can I use the longer studs without any harm? I want to at least get rid of the top spacer for now. I always thought it was just the BL making the truck ride like crap on/off-road.


Thanks guys

 

Yes, Ok sounds good. The top plates should work.

 

The UCA's are looking rough or do you have your truck jacked up in that pic?

 

Spacers... & I'd do something about that spindle(castle) nut at least....

 

I forgot to say that too, those threads are gonna chunk away.

 

Its was on jackstands for that pic.

threads? On the BJ stem? Or the studs coming from top of the strut?


Suddenly I feel like such a noob....lol....

I am discovering a bunch of shit that the PO had done...and I have had this truck for 5 years!!! I just can't wait to start working again and get this truck setup 100% where I want it.

 

Its was on jackstands for that pic.

The rust? what do you mean? Or the cotter pin? I was in the process of removing the cotter pin and replacing it when I snapped the pic.

threads? On the BJ stem? Or the studs coming from top of the strut?


Suddenly I feel like such a noob....lol....

I am discovering a bunch of shit that the PO had done...and I have had this truck for 5 years!!! I just can't wait to start working again and get this truck setup 100% where I want it.

 

The rusty nut, the balljoint probably needs replacing too,

 

The balljoint is actually pretty new (10k miles). It was just surface rust on the castle nut. I cleaned it up tonight. The flash in the picture made the rust look more pronounced, was actually not bad.