I'm looking for lift springs for my son's 85 (solid axle of course).
What has anyone used that they like? I can get discount on Rancho, but a guy at work knows someone says they are brutal stiff. Any other opinions?

 

is the truck going to be mainly driven on the road, or is he planning on building it?

maybe look into marlin's springs...built in the usa and moderately flexy. i'm thinking of going the OME route on my '79 since i don't really do anything extreme enough to warrant me going to crossover steering...yet...

 

It is his daily driver, so he doesn't want to be too stiff

 

i haven't had personal experience with marlin's springs, but if you don't mind dropping the cash OME would probably be the way to go, as it's very well engineered system for about 2.5" of lift.

 

My friend got his springs from North West offroad for his 83 Toy. They kicked a%@ and I think were at a decent price.
North West off road

 

i'd never run anything from NWOR unless it was bought from a third party. better chance of returning it if something goes wrong :p

 

Ditto that... NWOR's springs are notoriously stiff, and they have ZERO warranty on them. The warranty says lifetime, but that's with the spring manufacturer, not with NWOR - heard horror stories.

Stock length springs that I'd consider, in no particular order.
OME 2-3" (Kyle mentioned)
Downey 3" (cheap, decent)
SkyJacker 3" (decent price, very high quality spring for a mass market)

 

David,
If he can wait a little I may be getting rid of the springs on my runner. Fairly new but probably closer to 4-5" with the HD shackles. I'm considering going to 4-link if I can talk myself into it and wouldn't need the springs. They are custom packs built on Downey primary leafs.