Drop Shackles with Explorer Leaf Springs Question?

[TXBII]

I have an 89 BII and got a set of Explorer Leaf springs for it because the old ones were shot. When I added the Explorer leafs with stock shackles it added some lift to the rear. To level out the front I could get some leveling coils because it only added about 2 inches.

My question is if I also got a set of the Chevy Drop Shackles as well and added them to the rear, what front coil springs would I need to get to level out my BII? And what shocks and sizes do you guys recommend? (need new shocks bad all the way around..)

Finally, is this a good idea? Is there anything else I would need to replace/change? I plan on making some extended radius arms later on.

If this is an "OK" idea, how much lift should this give me, guestimate? Trying to achieve about 4 inches of suspension lift..I already have a 2in body lift.

Thanks for everyone's time!!!!

 

[4x4junkie]

The Chevy shackles should give you another 1.5" or so.

For the front you'll need axle drop brackets if you want 4" and still be able to align it correctly (2" lift is about max without brackets). Might be best to just get a 3" or 4" suspension kit for it.

 

[TXBII]

Kind of what I was thinking, be better to just get a lift kit. Just not feasible at the moment, since I would need to buy new tires and such to make it look right.

But I do need to get shocks now and like to level the front end with the back now being raised about 2in because of the Explorer leafs.

Would you recommend getting the Skyjacker leveling coils with shocks? Looks to be the 132 soft ride coils with N8052 and N8041 shocks..

Then later on down the road lift it correctly.. Wish I could do it all now or at least get shocks now that I could use with the lift. Just don't know if I could make that work but hate throwing money away.

 

[4x4junkie]

That should work fine. The Nitro gas shocks should ride a bit firmer with better control than their hydro (non-gas) shocks without being overly harsh.