'85 K5 Blazer suspension bounce

I have a 1985 K5 Blazer that I'm setting up for the Dunes here in Northern Michigan.
(Yes we have dunes here.)

I re-sprung it last year with a BDS 6" all spring lift and BDS 9500 series gas shocks.
I like the lift but I have one major complaint.
I get way too much "bounce" from the front suspension.  This makes it very difficult to control in the "woops", and it doesn't help the traction situation when climbing hills.  If there's any berms at the bottom of the dune I end up bouncing the rig all the way up the hill.  I'm afraid I'm going to snap an axle one of these days.

Any suggestion on how to dampen the rebound on the front of this truck?

I've talked to BDS and they told me that I couldn't get a whole lot better with the leaf spring setup on a short wheelbase vehicle.

It seems like there ought to be a shock that would control the rebound.  

Well that didn't get many responses!

Let me ask it this way.
Has anyone come up with a leaf spring configuration that's better than what BDS sold me.

I know Deaver makes an awesome 10 leaf spring pack, but it's a little pricey, and I'd have to go to a longer spring.

I'm going to remove a leaf from the BDS setup this weekend to see if it will soften the rebound, and gain me some travel.

Any experiences or suggestions would be welcome.  

Sounds like you need better shocks. I would ditch the BDS shocks and install a nice set of Bilstein 5100's or 7100's and see how you like it. I would bet that this will solve your problem. I guess too you could run a Fox or SAW 2.0 shock too and would work very well, but will cost more.

It really sounds like what you are describing is an under dampened situation. You are blowing through the shocks too fast and heating them too fast. The cure would be a better shock.

Deaver springs would be nice though.  
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'99 Ranger LT 4x4

www.dixonbrosracing.com

Thanks for the input, I know it's difficult to diagnose without seeing the vehicle.

I don't think I'm blowing through the shock because the front springs are so stiff that I'm hardly getting any travel.

The leaf removal project went well last weekend, and the front suspension is actually getting some travel now.
I test drove it down the pipeline in Manistee, but the real test will be this weekend in the dunes.  It's all brand new springs & shocks installed last July and I'm hoping that they will soften a bit over time.

I'm going to run these BDS shocks this summer before I invest in another manufacturer.  (no surprise, money's in short supply right now)

Maybe if I break it real good I can justify building a 4 link.
I've been wearing the pages out in my Off Road mag, and there's some really cool suspension tricks on many of the featured vehicles.  

Sounds good! Keep us posted on your project!  
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'99 Ranger LT 4x4

www.dixonbrosracing.com

I got the Blazer out in the dunes this weekend.

The leaf removal was a big improvement.  It seems that the BDS front spring was specked out for a big block.  I'm running a 350 so I'm not carrying that much weight on the front axle.

It actually uses a lot more of the shock travel now.  Handles the small and average size woops pretty well at 30 to 40 mph.  I'm still a bit nervous when I get into the big ones, so I'll take it slow for a while and build up my confidence.

Launched it off a couple of decent lips in the dunes and it makes a pretty fair landing.
I haven't bottomed out the shocks yet, and even though I still get some bounce it settles down a lot faster.

I saw another blazer at the campground with a sweet 4 link.  I've got to track that guy down and see if he'll pass along info on the fab work.