Downey suspension anyone?

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84pickup

84pickup

Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Threads
19
Messages
275
Location
Cedar City, Utah
hey guys,

After my adventure of going into a huge ditch at 35 MPH my suspension is a little saggy so i'm looking at getting a new one. i was looking at the Downey 3" lift springs and was wondering if anyone has or had used these at any point and what their opinions were. Also if you need any different components like spring hangers or shock towers, shackles, things of that nature. also when i take off the old shocks, the nut on the top is seized on both sides of the front so the shock just spins and my strap wrench doesn't do any good. i've got a chain wrench too but i haven't tried it yet. Thanks

Ross
 
it's an 84 pickup. no lift or anything pretty much stock all the way around.
 
I ran Downey many years on my 85 and liked them. As I recall, after 12 years or so the rear springs were a little saggy and were later replaced with Alcan. The ride was acceptable and not bad at all. The Downey rear springs were really arched compared to the Alcan. I think they are still around someplace and I should take pics. The Downey springs were good for off-the-shelf.

The only warning. The front spring bolt on the rear spring is probably seized to the sleeve in the bushing. Be prepared for a battle, it will probably require a sawzall. After you get the factory bolt out the solution is to drill out the mount, pitch the new bushing sleeve, and install an 18mm bolt (watch your gas tank!).
 
84pickup said:
also when i take off the old shocks, the nut on the top is seized on both sides of the front so the shock just spins and my strap wrench doesn't do any good. i've got a chain wrench too but i haven't tried it yet. Thanks

Ross
Click to expand...

How about cutting or grinding it off? Downey makes good stuff. I bet you'd be happy with their springs. It'll look way jacked up, compared to your stock truck.
 
yeah i was thinking about that. although i was helping my dad help a friend put a lift on his FJC and there should be a way to hold it still but if i get a job soon i may get new towers anyways. thanks for the info.
 
i guess should i need any driveline mods or high steer with just a 3" lift? i plan on getting high steer at some point but i'm still looking for a job to finish paying back my dad for some stuff and then buying all the stuff i want for my truck.
 
I have the Downey 3" springs on my 83 with their recommended DoetchTech shocks. Overall, not bad for the money. But let me give you some thoughts:

When I first put the springs on, my rear sat lower than my front, just slightly, probably less than an inch. I thought once I got my new front bumper and winch on that would drop the front, but NO it did not. So I made some longer shackles to give me about in inch lift in the rear. It's much better now when unloaded, but as soon as I put any weight in the bed, there is a very noticeable sag. So basically any time I go wheeling with all my gear, my a$$ end sags.

The springs do give a nice soft ride, they flex pretty good, but I think they are too soft in the rear at least. If I had to do it again, I would spend money on Marlin rears and probably go 4" in the rear, 3" up front.

As for other items requiring upgrades with the 3" lift:
1. I did buy extended brake lines, but not immediately. The thought of losing all my brake fluid on the trail scared me.

2. Downey kit came with the relocation bracket for the LSPV, just a piece of metal to allow you to move the mounting point higher for the valve.

3. My OEM steering is fine with 3" of lift, I don't rockcrawl so I really don't know if I will ever go to hi-steer.

4. 3" is about the limit for the torque rod on the front axle, I haven't had any problems yet. Also, my driveshaft angle is not too bad and my truck is a short bed.
 
It would help to know what you plan to use the truck for. DD? Dedicated trail rig? Somewhere in between?

Keep in mind that the downy springs place the front axle in the stock position (front to back). Most other lifts move the axle forward for more firewall clearance. You can fit 33’s stock and 33’s with the downy lift. If you’re not able to run lager tire the lift is kinda pointless. I would just save up and do it right the first time. If you’re going cheap, do a mixed leaves from rear pack up front and chevy springs in the back.

All that said the downy springs do have a decent ride and flex well for the price. Like others have said, the rear will sag.
 
I know you were really looking for Downey springs but I have a set of 3" superlift springs that I'd sell for $75.00. They are used but aren't sagged at all. I had them sandblasted and painted. I also installed new bushings.

I don't know what they would cost to have shipped from St. Louis, MO but it would be a temporary solution to your problem. Let me know if you're interested or want me to email you pics.
 
I installed a Downey three inch lift on my 84' ext. with the extended greasable shakles. Beside shocks I have made no other mods to anything at all and the truck crawls like mad and has exceptional road handling abilities. Going highsteer some time in the future, but is not a neccesity.
 
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