I have been checking out off the shelf kits for leaf springs swaps and it seems I would end up with too much height no matter what I do.

FROF claims 3.5" over an 85 with its hanger and shackles.

3" springs are the least lift that I have seen mass marketed, then about 1.5" from the hanger drop and shackles.

Is there an off the shelf hanger that drops less? Would that cause problems?

Is it cost effective to run custom 2" springs for instance?

Goals are 35" tires, perhaps 37's, but that would be by cutting more than lifting. I already have a 1" bodylift and it seems to me that around 4" is all that is really needed for 35's, so I want no extra height.

Thoughts, opinions, experiences, advice to search?

I know Allen D has a 4" noniminal lift swap, anyone else?

The problem with going lower than 4 inches is that there is not a big enough "window" for the steering components during full articulation. Solid axle frames have a "hump" at the front where the IFS frames are basically straight. This hump gives 2 additional inches of clearance for steering components on compression.

If you run normal crossover steering (not high steer), use bumpstops, and get a pitman arm with less drop (available from OTT Industries or Sky Manufacturing) I think that you could get away with 3 inches of suspension lift. You could run the FROR hanger with stock Jeep Wagoneer springs to accomplish this without having to shell out money for custom springs.

I understand your problem, I had the same concerns too much lift, although I wasn't running a body lift.

You'll want the 1.5" drop hanger no matter what on an IFS truck. From there, you can go with as low as 2.5" or 3" springs, which will have very little arch in them with that amount of lift. I have 3" All Pro springs now and the only problem I have with a grand total of 4.5" of lift is that the pitman arm is a bit too long mainly because the All Pro 3" springs move the axle too far forward when the with the drop hanger set up for 1.5" longer than stock springs. I welded on the drop hanger with the intention of running 4" lift springs that were 1.5" longer than stock. The 3" AP springs are shorter. So, I've ordered a shorter pitman arm to correct that problem.

With the above set up, you should be perfect fine, just mount the hanger so it will fit the 3" springs so you can use the stock pitman arm.

I would personally dump the body lift and go back to stock but if not, you'd only have 5.5" of lift. That's not too bad. Especially if you want to fit 37s. But 4.5" lift is just perfect to fit 35s with some very minor fender mods.

Just make sure you don't end up bending the steering rods on the frame like Harry mentioned. Where you mount the bumpstops will determine this. Even with not as much compression travel as you might have expected, you can do pretty well as the axle will leverage off of the bumpstop for even more compression.

2" springs would probably be to close to call. I wouldn't go any lower than 2.5" lift, but 3" should be no problem.

Thanks for the info, just a little thinking out loud I suppose.

Custom Alcans are super spendy I would assume?

What about moving the axle forward? I think I get what you mean Brian.

If there is no way around it, I suppose there is no point in reinventing the wheel.

Would other steering options make things potentially lower, or would the drawbacks cancel out the benefits?

The bumpers are built off the bodylift, as are the sliders, so it would not be worth undoing.

I have a 2" Trailmaster add a leaf front, and solid 2" blocks rear, lift kit in my garage. Includes U-bolts and nuts, and 4 monroe shocks. $100.00 plus shipping for all if you are interested. Fits 79-85 Toy pickup. E-mails me at schnier(at)rajones(dot)com

AOR's front springs seemed pretty reasonable they are about $75 more than all pro's. I was checking out thier orbital eye springs a while ago.

http://www.aor4x4.com/catalog.htm

I guess they make up thier own spring packs from what they say in the FAQ on them.

AOR actually sells Alcan springs, but they add a sperical bushing to one or both ends of the spring to achieve more flex.

My goal was to lift as little as possible, I have a total of 4" lift or so (FROR hanger and 3" Alcans I believe) and it works very well. Not too tippy at all. Couldn't go less though, I have lots more droop than compression.

You could hack and brace your frame to pick up more compression I suppose. Not for the faint-hearted.

You could use stock front hangers, but being they are only .5" shorter than our hanger, only a 1/2" drop. And it would kick your cater out a bit. Also, we only do 1" over stock shackles, which is bare minimum for running a decent flexy spring.

As for less lift, like Bill said, chopping out frame, and reinforcing so you can have steering is an option. A scary option, but its there. You could use 2" springs from Old Man Emu. They are 50 or 60mm lift, I cant remember. That would lower you, but again, the steering is an issue.

You did say you want about 4" of height, Im assuming suspension here. Id recoomend our hangers, and 3" Downey springs. Their fronts are 3", and run about 160 a set. They are not quite as flexy as alcan, but much cheaper. They also dont brake dive much at all, and handle great. They are what we are runing on the front of our new Tacoma. Ive been through the junkyard spring stuff for the front. And having run NWOR, Rancho, YJ, rears, and numerous mods to every one of those, I didnt want to go through the hassle again. Ive literally run 16-20 different front springs. Ive witnessed, and now wheeled the Downeys, and havent found a spring to touch them for all around performance.