Thanks for the input so far. My original plan called for new front 4 inch springs and the ORD zero rate 1 inch add a leaf. I thought that would give me plenty of clerance to run a 37 tire without trimming the fenders. For the rear I was going to reuse the factory springs and use the ORD shackle flip kit with the ORD 1 inch zero rate add a leaf. The only consideration is the ride quality and the tire clearance. If I need to go with a 6 inch spring in the front I will. My truck rides like a tank right now and I was hoping to get a little softer ride with some new springs. I have been checking out lots of the past builds and I have learned a lot. BDS for example, I did not know they existed until I saw them here. The air bag in the rear is also a good idea. Thanks for the help so far.
BDS are awesome springs their 5 1/2" 1 ton front springs and properly match long travel shock will do the tricks. if you need or want the extra inch Zero rate will do that, and or you can ad longer front rear spring shackles (OEM length is 4"-4.5") you can go to 5.25"-5.5" for another easy 1/2' of lift with out drive shaft angle problems, if doing that consider increasing the bolt diameter at the spring bushings to 1/2" if not 9/16" at the front spring hangers and at the springs bushings and make sure you talk to some one about the correct bushings size for your particular brand of springs. BDS for example uses the military spring eye wrap and large bushing. Use grade 8 bolts long enough, so that no part of the bushing or the sleeve is on the weaker bolts treads. Greasable bushings is a way to go, but some fabricators think that it compromises the ultimate strenth of the bolt, so you decide? lots of mileage and wet environments and a little more routine maintenance to purge thing out, go greasable. Other wise Dry environments/ low mileage good synthetic grease during the first installation and you are good for a long wile.
The rear is easy, is just a matter of matching your front spring hight with blocks ,spring and/or reverse shackles. I am not even going into longer springs discussions, that is well cover here and else were.
PS: the original springs were intended for large payloads not comfort or articulation 25+ years ago, springs have chave very little in the last couple centurys...
