Looking for small lift?

[Dalaigh]

I decided when I got the new truck that I was going to restore it to original stock condition. But, after looking into prices for stock leafs, the old ones are starting to sag, I've decided to look into a small 3" or less lift. Cost wise it's almost worth it to go with the lift kit.

I'm looking for pics of 73-87 trucks with 3" or less lifts on them.

Tire size doesn't matter I'm going to run 32's on the factory 15x8 rallyes and 255/85/16's on 16x6 steels, either way.

[special-K]

I don't have any pictures,but my friend has his '85 set up with 2 or 3" lift. It started out as a K1500 High Sierra and he put 1t axles under it. He has 285/75-18s on 7" Ford Van wheels. A very similar set-up to what you want. His tires are a notch shorter and a notch wider. Just looks a touch bolder and brawnier than stock. I'll try to get by his place for pictures.
This is what I had planned for my '85 Jimmy but found 11.50/32-15s are getting limited,so I sold my 8 x 15 steelies and put the 4" springs,3/4t axles,and 12.50/35-16s from my retired Suburban on for now.

[Dalaigh]

I've thought about the limited availability of the 32's and I'm not apposed to going with 33's on a small lift or 31's with no lift if I can't find 32's. But, as long as BF goodrich offers the MT in 32's I'll go with them.

I like the look a slightly larger tire looks on a stock 4x4, but I also like the look of the narrow tires too, so I'm going to run two sets. As well as a third winter tire set, for obviously the winter lol.

[special-K]

That's where I changed my mind. My thoughts were the 32s would go on the Jimmy as it was stock,then later I could lift it 2" for a healthy look. I also like the look of 33s,but would have wanted to do the 2" lift all together and my budget didn't allow that at the time. I ran 12.50/33s on 10 wheels on the '90 Blazer I had. I had a spring shop bring the front up an inch or two and add a leaf. They left the rear alone. This leveled the Blazer up and made the wide tires work,but just barely. I never played off road in it,although I did get off road needing 4wd. Just nothing hard on it. 99% of the time the tires cleared. It was only when I had a sharp and steep uphill turn and not always. I had Bushwacker Extend-a-flares that would have cracked is hit too hard and they never cracked. Now this was with 10" wheels. I think with 8" wheels it would have been fine and I wouldn't have used fender flares.

My plan on the Jimmy was 11.50/32s on 6" wheels with hubcaps and 2" lift. Now that I have 8-lug axles and 4" lift I want to get 255/85-16 M/Ts and mount them on a set of stock GM 3/4t wheels that are powder coated white with 3/4t hubcaps and use these 315/75-16 Wrangler MTRs up that are mounted on D-hole black 10" wheels from my Suburban. Then,probably powder coat the D-Holes white and run an A/T in 12.50/33 or 35 for a floatation set.

[Dalaigh]

Originally Posted by special-K

My plan on the Jimmy was 11.50/32s on 6" wheels with hubcaps and 2" lift. Now that I have 8-lug axles and 4" lift I want to get 255/85-16 M/Ts and mount them on a set of stock GM 3/4t wheels that are powder coated white with 3/4t hubcaps and use these 315/75-16 Wrangler MTRs up that are mounted on D-hole black 10" wheels from my Suburban. Then,probably powder coat the D-Holes white and run an A/T in 12.50/33 or 35 for a floatation set.

That was my plan with my old 84 K20, but I ended up not wanting the 7" lift and 35's anymore so I decide to sell it a start over from fresh. Plus I didn't built the K20 and I wanted something I built.
I plan the same idea with this truck, but in 1/2 ton form. Using 235/85's for the tall narrow tires on 6" rims and the 32's as the meaty looking tires on the 8" rims. If I do the 2-3" lift I might go with 255/85's and 33's, but I'm not sure yet. I'm building this truck to be a capable, reliable, and usable truck so I'm not going to do any large lifts and tires.

[86454k30]

Tuff country makes a nice 2" front spring for these trucks. Rough Country makes a kit with front shocks, rear blocks, ubolts and shocks for about $350.00.

[Dalaigh]

ttt, anybody?