I have come into some hurdles. I have the axles from a GMC Jimmy- 10 bolt front and 12 bolt rear. My first roadblock is, after contacting Calmini, I found out their kit is not applicable for my axles- it is applicable for the Waggy front axle. Has anyone run into this? If so, what modifications to the Calmini parts were used?

The other thought I had was to go with Front and Rear leaves, but am trying to figure out the measurements, and body weight, to order the springs. Any ideas as to a reputable company to order these from, with good customer service?

the front axle you have now is a passenger drop axle... will not work for Nissans. You need a drivers drop axle... and yes, the kit is made for a Wagoneer axle... And with that up front, your rear axle won't work, either, because of width issues...

Alcan and Deaver are both great companies with great suspension products... I think Deaver is a little bit more expensive...

quote:

the front axle you have now is a passenger drop axle... will not work for Nissans. You need a drivers drop axle... and yes, the kit is made for a Wagoneer axle...

Don't take this the wrong way, but it seems like you need to get to know your truck a lot better before diving into this project. It's not something to be taken lightly or haphazardly. You want to have all your parts lined up before you start and have a clear idea how it's all going to go together.

Well, I am swapping both front and rear axles from the GMC Jimmy. It is also getting an engine, tranny, and T-case, but that is something I am going to tackle later. The ENTIRE Nissan drivetrain is coming out, just in stages. I need to get the suspension on her, so I can take it over to the neighbors house to use their shop to work on the swap for the drivetrain. Currently is is sitting on jacks, with the rear pulled, and most of the front disconnected.
I was just wondering if anyone else has gone about this in a similar way, and what springs they used (front and rear), if anyone has done it this way. I know a fair amount about her already, but I am also using this as a learning experience. The neighbor is a retired mechanic, who is willing to show me what all is necessary. He just wants me to try and figure it out, and then he can interject later.

You got a 70's model K5 axles? If it's the 10 and 12 bolt axle combo the front axle is a dana 44 and the rear is a gm 12 bolt.

You will need to start from scratch. You need to make you a front leaf spring hanger. Find which length leafs your be going with then weld up your front rear spring hangers.

Out back same thing. Cut front and rear spring hanger and weld in new generic hangers according to the springs you'll be running.

I would get the truck to your neighbors shop. There's almost no possible way to start a project like this without the use of a full shop.

Since most of your project will be all custom a shop with fabrication tools will be a must.

Thanks LordBio, that is what I wanted to hear. I am going to reuse the stock K5 suspension for the time being, and then will redo it later, leaving the spring hangers installed (I can lift it using a K5 lift later, if I see fit).

As far as the shop, we have most of what I need- the engine shop and everything is at the neighbors.

Lord Bio- have you done a similar swap, or did you use the Waggy axle and Calmini kit? If you did it similar to the way I am doing, do you have pics?