68 axle swap and lift
 

Hello all,
So since my older son(16) got a 70 C10 my younger son(just turned 15) wanted a 68 K10 So picked up one up this weekend.
Now I have looked on the site regarding the issues with lifting a 68... but the information is all over the place.
Can anyone let me know if a 4"rough Country lift for 69-72 (or any other brand) will work and with what actual modifications are needed? I have a '73 Dana 44 that I will be swapping in to the '68
I will post pictures soon
Thanks
Scott

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

Ok, its been a few years but I have lifted a 67 before. They have the same springs as a 68. If I remember correctly the springs are wider on the 67-68 models, they actually taper from the center out to the shackles and frame mount. Its part of how they rolled and stretched the spring, or so the local spring shop told me. Anyway, you will have to add spacers to the factory frame mounts in order to bolt up. I had new custom springs built by TULSA Spring, I took my old ones in and they made me what I wanted. If you do not have the ability to do that you can add spacers between the spring eye and frame mount in order to take up the difference. If I remember right its around 1 inch. Look at diy4x for spacer, bolts shackles and such. Hopefully someone with more recent experience will chime in. It can be done though.

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

Talk to http://offroaddesign.com/ they don't have a lift listed for it but can get just about anything made you can want.

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

Off-road designs has my vote!

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

x3

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

I have a 68 that I wanted to do the same. I looked all over the place but I didn't find anything! The ONLY 2 ways I found was to either change the shackle mount(s) for a later model or have the springs custom made. I ended up buying a 72 frame.

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

I contacted ORD and they told me that they had tuff country springs to lift the truck and it was no big deal. But everywhere i look shows 69-72 lift and excludes 67-68. I am a little confused... well a ORD lift front and rear springs will be $1200. I guess I need to find out what the actual lengths of the springs and the Eyelets for each springs and year so maybe that will tell me what the story is behind the lift problems on this year truck(68).

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

The ORD springs and tuff country are no comparison. The ORD ones are definitely worth the money! After getting my set I wouldn't watse the money on anything else

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

So the ORD and the Tuff County's are 2 different springs?
When I talked to them he said he would send the correct size and that they were TC's. But the quote does not say the brand just the year and size or lift and length.
Do you mind me asking what you ordered for your application?

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

I think tuff country makes them to ord specs.

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

I think they are the same spring marketed by ORD. Tuff Country springs are an excellent choice. The '68 springs are a parabolic design, like skis. The point is, off the shelf springs are made for 69-ups and all you need to do is make up the difference between the narrower springs and the wider mount. The newer axle will be no issue there, but the steering set-up is different. If he's going to want P/S now's the time to go with the later design (70-up). You also gain an adjustable drag link.

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

Yes they are two different springs, when I ordered i told them I have a 72 k-10 small block, no which bumper or any other items like that, and 4 inch lift and they already had a spring spec. My front springs were 650 dollars but they are well worth it! My dad did the same with his 70 k-10 with a big block and he had to check the weight of the front axles and a couple other things so be prepared for that. My dad had ruff country springs before the ORD ones and he said he's not going to buy anything else besides ORD


Actually alcan spring makes all ORDs stuff, but i believe that tuff country and ORD have a partnership, that's why they had springs in stock.

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

OK thank you for all the comments. I have a few more questions.

1. What spacers are used to make up the difference between the spring mount width and the narrow new spring? just make custom spacers or is their a kit?
2. steering question... the steering on the 68 between the knuckles consists of 2 tie rod ends and a center section but the 73 front has 2 tie rod ends, A short one and a long one that tie together with no center section. which is better or should I keep???

I will be adding power steering to the truck as the manual box is a little worn out... Are they worth anything the manual box?

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

Anyone?

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

At a 4 inch lift i would think hard on upgrading to cross over steering.

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

The 10-bolt will also have only one tie rod. But, it will have a mount hole for a steering stabilizer/damper on the driver side. If you can show pictures, it would help.

On the spacers,thick washers or even better would be thick wall pupe/washer combo, I'd guess. Washer against the bushing.

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

Check this out for pre- fabbed spacers:
http://diy4x.com/cart/index.php?rout...product_id=107

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

S518- is the older style steering like what is on the 68
S818 is the newer style like on the 73-87 trucks.

Which is the better design? without going to crossover steering. this truck will not be used as a hard core trail truck.

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

I think in the SB815 picture they broke the drawing of the tie rod, but it's still one piece. The dampers weren't used till sometime in '71. Then the mount went on the axle with a clamp used on the tie rod, toward the center. On a 10-bolt the mount is in the tie rod end/driver side. I prefer this arrangement because I like to run dual (side by side) steering dampers. I also like the idea of mounting to the end that steers, rather than to the center of the rod. Seems stronger and more rigid

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

In my post #13 above question 2 I describe the 2 styles of steering from a 68 and a 73. Since I am replacing all the tie rods and sleeves etc. which style is the best to go with?
S518 style or s818 style from the above picture. I will post a few actual pictures of what I have on the truck and the parts from the 73 front axle today.
Thanks
Scott

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

Ok, the '73 axle will be a Dana44, same as back to '71 (w/disc) and '70 (w/drums), and all steering was the same. I'd go with that. Not sure which ill. is that one. I'm not seeing any difference in rod end count between the two. In post #13 both designs have two tie rod ends, but the latter has a two piece tie rod (sleeve)? I'm not familiat with that, but I'd go with the later design. On the '68, if the drag link is original design it will be a solid rod w/ends...no adjustment. The later design has a sleeve between the ends and is adjustable.

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

thanks for the comments
S818 first design is what the 1973 Dana 44 front had when I picked it up. The 1968 Dana 44 (original) is like S518 has 2 small tie rod ends and a center bar, like a long sleeve for adjustments. the question I have is what style to use between the steering knuckles. What is best the original? the first design? or Second design?
The 1973 and up doesn't have a center bar (like a sleeve) just a long tie rod end pass side and a short tie rod end on the driver side.
I plan to replace everything but want to make sure that I upgrade to the best style or design.
Sorry to beat this up just what to make sure
Scott

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

Great post. Going to refer to this soon as i also have a 68 that i want to lift Also would like disc brakes up front too.

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

For years I was told the same thing---Even by ORD. But I was ordering some parts and I told Chris that it was too bad I couldn't have crossover with a 2" lift and he said it would be no problem. I ordered it and put it on the truck and it has tons of clearance. On the '73 and up is where clearance is a problem. I tried to post some pics but it keeps asking for my login over and over. Who knows?????:banghead:

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

Also check the frame behind the steering box, it needs to have the raised pads to bolt the box to, if it's flat then you'll need a frame spacer kit which are usually listed for 60-66 trucks. Like this... http://www.classicperform.com/power6066.htm

You can find the adapter plate on the forum or other stores. I did this to my 68 K-10... also swapped the axle and put an add-a-leaf on the back for a 1.5" lift. Might look into power brakes since the disc setup will require new prop valve and lines anyways.

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

Good morning guys,
I did a little research on the 68 lifting problems. The parts that ORD quoted are just Tuff Country springs nothing out of the ordinary that I can see. Just that the rear are 52" and the front need spacers at the shackles. Other than that the 69-72 lift is the one to use. Tuff country has the lift kit #14612KN. It has the 52" rear springs I will try to measure my rear stock springs today and let everyone know my findings.

Msgross, I looked over your build great job. My 68 frame is not dimpled for a power steering box so I will be going the spacer route and will be updating all the brake lines and installing a new master with prop valve for the 73 front axle I will be installing.
Thanks for the comments
Scott

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

cool, I remember looking into a lift years ago but wasn't finding many options. My springs were in good shape but the bushings were shot so I just installed poly's, add-a-leaf and ORD longer shackles.

I like the look of a 4" with 33x12.5's though.

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

Hey guys been busy at work.
So I measured the rear leafs and they are 56" in a 68. Must be original because the mounts are riveted in. Anyone else have a 67-68 with 44 front leafs and 56" rears?

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

There sure are a lot of differences from 67-72, a lot of uninformed think all are the same, nice to have the help on this site, sure makes a difference for a build.

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

It seems whoever I buy springs for a 69-72 truck from, they always ask 52" or 56". I always wondered what trucks got 56" because mine have always been 52". I had 56" Tuff Country 4" EZ-rides on my '91 Suburban. They definitely have a spring for you. Those would bolt right up. I sold mine to a member for his 69-72 Blazer that he was going to move the brackets back on, for a better ride and/or off road flex

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

From what I found from talking to the lift companies the 56" were on the k20 trucks and suburbans but rare on k10 trucks. My guess it's because it's a lwb truck. Also when I talk with the lift companies they all say the 69-72 kit will fit the front of the 67-68. So my question is why don't they say it in there discriptions instead of 69-72? Confusing!

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

spring width I think...

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

When I installed a 6" lift to my 68 LWB, I woulnd up calling Sky Jacker and giving them my factory leaf spring lengths and they sent me a full set of Soft Ride springs. The rears bolted right in but the fronts required the use of a 6" rear shackle. The longer shackle made the front a little higher than the rear so I installed an add-a-leaf in the rear and now the stance is perfect. I can't remember the part numbers that were on the springs since it has been 4 years since I did the lift.

I would think they could do something similar for a 4" lift.

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

zero rate springs from ORD are also a good way to get 1" of lift, and you can move the axle back to center in wheel well, while not changing ride comfort.

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

My front spring width is 3" and of course tapers to 2.5"and the axle than back to 3". All the people I talked with say just add a thick washer or get bushings with thicker shoulders to make up w difference for the width.
I have an email into suspension connection in regards to getting a kit with the correct length rear springs and front bushing widths.

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

Today I measured the rear springs on my Dad's 68 GMC C10. Springs were 52" long, with the center pin located 24" from the front eye and 28" from the rear eye. They measured 2-1/4" wide.

I'm not 100% sure but I'm assuming that these would be the same as K10 rear springs.

Maybe this will help with something.

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

*Update to this thread*
I ended up calling Tough Country and they instructed me to call Suspension Connection(which I found out later is directly across the street from TC). They said that they don't have a package with 56" rear springs but to call SC and they could make the change from the 52" to 56" they also were able to remove the steering arm from the package and not charge me the difference in the bigger springs as I didn't need the raised steering arm because I had a dropped pit-man already. The package was delivered yesterday and thought I would updated this thread... I also started a build thread .

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=659275

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

In case anyone wants to know what I ordered to lift the 68 k10. Well it's not installed yet but it is ordered. Page 1

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

Page 2 of 2

Re: 68 axle swap and lift
 

Good for you, exciting cool parts are coming. I ordered ner rims and tires for my 86 4wd, but 6 weeks for all of it, hard to wait that long, $3,500 total. Will be nice to see pic's when you get it installed.