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6768chevylover 12-22-2015 06:28 PM

suspension lifts
 
I was wondering if anyone has a cheap way of doing a suspension lift for our 69-72 blazers? Hope fully 2"-4" of lift if possible... Saw in a magazine for a suburban that an owner used parts from an f250 for lifting his rig but was curious if anyone has other ideas..

86454k30 12-22-2015 06:57 PM

Re: suspension lifts
 
Save yourself a huge headache and a hack job and buy a suspension lift kit it is afterall your lift and everyone else around you if something fails.

http://www.roughcountry.com/gm-suspe...it-100-20.html

Yes not the best riding kit but the most bang for your buck!!

74CustomK20 12-22-2015 10:21 PM

Re: suspension lifts
 
If you want cheap? 52" swap with a 4" block in the back. But save the headache. Just get a kit, I recommend tuff country 4" ez ride lift. I started with that one, and loved it... but then I went big.

obijuan 12-22-2015 11:59 PM

Re: suspension lifts
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by 86454k30 (Post 7419603)
Save yourself a huge headache and a hack job and buy a suspension lift kit it is afterall your lift and everyone else around you if something fails.

http://www.roughcountry.com/gm-suspe...it-100-20.html

Yes not the best riding kit but the most bang for your buck!!

hope you have a good dentist. rough country is garbage.

86454k30 12-23-2015 12:24 AM

Re: suspension lifts
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by obijuan (Post 7420049)
hope you have a good dentist. rough country is garbage.

Yes not the best but it is better than hacking in parts that aren't suppose to be on it. Just IMO of course.

andrewmp6 12-23-2015 02:44 AM

Re: suspension lifts
 
Talk to http://offroaddesign.com/ they can get a lift for anything you can want.

RedRoad 12-23-2015 04:19 AM

Re: suspension lifts
 
2 Attachment(s)
Super cheap ~2 inch: Use stock HD 3 leaf packs and add a leaf to the front pack, blocks or add a leaf in rear. Get a kidney belt and better dental insurance for this "tank" like ride.


The right way 2.5 inch: TC EZ ride front spring kit on sale with free shipping right now

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index....oducts_id=2349

For the rear you can use the blocks that come with the kit or for cheap rear lift get some used factory front rear spring hangers and supports, cut off the rear shackle mount and make your own hill billy shackle flip. You can also get the diy kit if you want to do it right.

http://diy4x.com/product.php?product...cat=250&page=3


HD shackles and zero rates can help dial in the height as needed.

http://diy4x.com/product.php?product...cat=250&page=1
http://diy4x.com/product.php?product...cat=250&page=1


I got the 2.5 TC EZ ride listed above and am pretty satisfied with the purchase. Right now my sub is running the TC EZ ride front springs with HD 4.5 inch shackles the rear runs blocks with zero rates. Stock brake lines and driveshafts are not a problem and dont need replacement with this setup.

First pic with 255/85s (33s) second pic same lift with 315/75s (35s). Flexes pretty good and I havent lost any fillings yet!

special-K 12-23-2015 08:48 AM

Re: suspension lifts
 
Yes, some brands ride better than others. But, none are as bad as people exaggerate that they are. Some just have a heavy duty ride you'd expect from an earlier 4wd and others have been designed more lately for those who demand a better ride. Using longer used springs that require new mounting will most likely cost more than buying a cheap lift...and take a lot more to install. I needed a cheap lift, too. I've had the tires & wheels laying around too long, been wanting to lift the truck too long, and money has been too tight for too long. I ordered a deal from National Tire & Wheel, their "suspension special". I went with hydro shocks because they ride softer.
http://www.ntwonline.com/4-Kits-C964.aspx
They offer them so cheap they can't say the mfgr. Well, it's Superlift and they are a good company. It's like buying shocks and getting the lift almost free. Free shipping on top of that. Just to show how bad I needed to save money, I didn't pay the $150 more to get rear springs shipped free! The shocks have been shot on the truck and the 235/75s were ancient with fronts worn funny from the other truck they had been on. This cheap lift made it happen, or I'd still be rolling on that crap. I already had a raised steering arm, but looking at my truck with 4" lift the drag link runs down hill to the steering box as much as it would be running uphill with the stock arm. I think the truck would be fine w/o it. When I first lifted these trucks no one even made those arms and I drove across this country and 4wheeled all over that way. Drove cross-country in a '69 Dodge W200 that I arched the springs myself on an anvil and added a new leaf (before they made add-a-leafs/no one ever made a lift for those trucks), the truck had no power steering, and the tires were bias-ply 37/14.50s. I enjoyed every inch I drove that truck. For just a 2" lift I recommend Add-A-Leafs. That is the cheapest yet. These methods are only the wrong way in regards to achieving a better ride. They are the right way to lift a truck for the least money.

TheWhiteElephant 12-25-2015 10:34 AM

Re: suspension lifts
 
I agree with special-k. I always find it funny when people complain about the ride being "too rough" after a lift install. The fact is, if you want a smooth ride, don't lift your truck--sell it and buy something that is not a straight axle 4X4.

I had a 4" Rancho on my '79 K5, lift blocks in rear and the ride was rough. I installed a 4" all spring Rough Country on my '73 K20 and yes, the ride was/is rough on that one, too. And that is perfectly fine with me because I got it for a dang good price. I wasn't expecting a soft ride. Everything is relative. Even the softest springs won't be considered "smooth" by many.

Mike C 12-25-2015 09:29 PM

Re: suspension lifts
 
Special K is right on the money. I just purchased a Superlift 3.5" for my '86 K30 dually. And he knows I am a block hater, but plan to run them on the dually. Keeps the factory overloads in place so that load carrying is not affected by the lift.

I ordered direct from Superlift and with steering correction (block for Dana 60 steering arm.) shocks included and shipping it was only $460. That's pretty reasonable from where I sit.

beardface 12-30-2015 12:30 AM

Re: suspension lifts
 
I have 4" Superlift springs on my K20. The ride is bouncy, but not harsh, I'd even say similar to stock. I bet if I fixed all the rattling and banging sounds the hood and loose bed makes the ride would seem smoother.

special-K 12-30-2015 07:44 AM

Re: suspension lifts
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by beardface (Post 7427808)
I have 4" Superlift springs on my K20. The ride is bouncy, but not harsh, I'd even say similar to stock. I bet if I fixed all the rattling and banging sounds the hood and loose bed makes the ride would seem smoother.

And kill the wonderful character that truck took 47 years to develop??? :lol:

I haven't driven my '72 since I put the springs on the front, but I've used them on other trucks and as I recall they rode fine. On the last '72 K/20 I had I put 6" Tuff Country EZ-Rides & their shocks (gas?), along with all new steering parts, and it rode and drove better than before. It rode very nice and very straight.


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