Wanna keep load capacity with a lift - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

O'skool 72GMC · 06-23-2003, 06:43 PM

Ok'
I wanna lift my 3/4 GMC longbed 4x4 with the EZ ride lift about 2" to clear my 33's but i still wanna be able to carry a cabover camper and other stuff if i need to. Any suggestions?

cdowns · 06-23-2003, 07:01 PM

the higher you lift it the more load u put on it the more prone it's going to be to tipping over

**JIMs70GMC** · 06-23-2003, 08:14 PM

In the rear I replaced the factory block with a 2" block and added a leaf. You can see the pics in the link in my signature for the front I added tuff country 2" HD springs.

smokekiki · 06-24-2003, 07:45 AM

I would check into the capacity of the ez ride springs.You might want to use a stiffer spring.

**Yukon Jack** · 06-24-2003, 09:42 AM

I would suggest you look at the 2 1/2" shackle flip at http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/shacklekit.htm

I have the 4" shackle flip and am very happy with it in regards to pulling trailers. Seems very stable with loads of sand on the flatbed of the truck also. You will retain your stock spring capacity and your main concern will remain the fact that your center of gravity has risen slightly.

Mike C · 06-24-2003, 10:44 AM

Do the EZ ride springs in the front, but get new 3/4 ton rated lift springs in the rear. Then get some BF Goodrich velvet ride shackles. This is not a cheap option, but will by far give you the best ride and maintain all of your load capacity. The velvet rides are a torsion spring shackle. In unloaded form, the truck actually rides on the torsion spring, using the leafs as shackles. Once you load the truck, the torsion extends to a stop then the truck rides on the main leaf. I was going to put them on my 3/4 ton, but they don't have a 2 1/4" version. But they do have a 2 1/2" version which is what the 4x4 have.

smokekiki · 06-24-2003, 10:58 AM

The velvet rides are nice.I have them on my 3/4ton 4x4 van.Forgot all about them.

O'skool 72GMC · 06-25-2003, 10:30 PM

Thanks for all your reply's
I liked the idea of
EZ Ride in front
Velvet rides in the rear with new 3/4 ton leaves?

WHERE CAN I GET THE VELVET RIDES?

Mike C · 06-25-2003, 10:37 PM

http://www.lordmpd.com/velvet-ride/

$199 with no shipping charges. They don't show a 67-72 application, but I'm pretty sure the 2 1/2" 4x4 leaves can use the 73-87 shackles with minimal work. Maybe a phone call to the company can get you some dimensions.

O'skool 72GMC · 06-25-2003, 10:41 PM

Wow Mike,
I PM'd you the same ??
Ok I looked up the site and the shakles and no 72's on there.
I'll call them to see if it will fit 72's though
Anyone no FOR SURE wether it does or doesn't
Thanks again mike

**Richard** · 06-26-2003, 01:35 AM

Why not try soft springs and add bags on top of the leafs to handle the increased weight when loaded. A 5000 lb universal kit can be found for under $200. The best of both worlds.

Mike C · 06-26-2003, 11:04 AM

Bags require user input: checking air pressure and having access to air. The shackles just install. Then self-adjust based on load. I am seriously contemplating a set for my Jimmy. I need the capacity of the 3/4 ton springs because of the 400# tongue weight of my ski boat, but it rides ROUGH on its short wheelbase. Just one of those things that I don't HAVE to have right now, so it waits. Personally, my 3/4 ton pickup rides nice. The only time you really notice it has HD springs in it (7500 gvwr) is on speedbumps or errant potholes.

06-23-2003, 06:43 PM	#1
O'skool 72GMC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: San Diego, CA, USA Posts: 251	Wanna keep load capacity with a lift Ok' I wanna lift my 3/4 GMC longbed 4x4 with the EZ ride lift about 2" to clear my 33's but i still wanna be able to carry a cabover camper and other stuff if i need to. Any suggestions?

06-23-2003, 07:01 PM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	the higher you lift it the more load u put on it the more prone it's going to be to tipping over __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

06-23-2003, 08:14 PM	#3
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	In the rear I replaced the factory block with a 2" block and added a leaf. You can see the pics in the link in my signature for the front I added tuff country 2" HD springs. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

06-24-2003, 07:45 AM	#4
smokekiki Mike Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: west chester pa Posts: 2,474	I would check into the capacity of the ez ride springs.You might want to use a stiffer spring. __________________ 70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires

06-24-2003, 09:42 AM	#5
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,684	I would suggest you look at the 2 1/2" shackle flip at http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/shacklekit.htm I have the 4" shackle flip and am very happy with it in regards to pulling trailers. Seems very stable with loads of sand on the flatbed of the truck also. You will retain your stock spring capacity and your main concern will remain the fact that your center of gravity has risen slightly. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

06-24-2003, 10:44 AM	#6
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,724	Do the EZ ride springs in the front, but get new 3/4 ton rated lift springs in the rear. Then get some BF Goodrich velvet ride shackles. This is not a cheap option, but will by far give you the best ride and maintain all of your load capacity. The velvet rides are a torsion spring shackle. In unloaded form, the truck actually rides on the torsion spring, using the leafs as shackles. Once you load the truck, the torsion extends to a stop then the truck rides on the main leaf. I was going to put them on my 3/4 ton, but they don't have a 2 1/4" version. But they do have a 2 1/2" version which is what the 4x4 have. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

06-24-2003, 10:58 AM	#7
smokekiki Mike Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: west chester pa Posts: 2,474	The velvet rides are nice.I have them on my 3/4ton 4x4 van.Forgot all about them. __________________ 70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires

06-25-2003, 10:30 PM	#8
O'skool 72GMC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: San Diego, CA, USA Posts: 251	Velvet Ride it is !! Thanks for all your reply's I liked the idea of EZ Ride in front Velvet rides in the rear with new 3/4 ton leaves? WHERE CAN I GET THE VELVET RIDES?

06-25-2003, 10:37 PM	#9
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,724	http://www.lordmpd.com/velvet-ride/ $199 with no shipping charges. They don't show a 67-72 application, but I'm pretty sure the 2 1/2" 4x4 leaves can use the 73-87 shackles with minimal work. Maybe a phone call to the company can get you some dimensions. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

06-25-2003, 10:41 PM	#10
O'skool 72GMC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: San Diego, CA, USA Posts: 251	Blu Velvets Wow Mike, I PM'd you the same ?? Ok I looked up the site and the shakles and no 72's on there. I'll call them to see if it will fit 72's though Anyone no FOR SURE wether it does or doesn't Thanks again mike

06-26-2003, 01:35 AM	#11
Richard Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,856	Why not try soft springs and add bags on top of the leafs to handle the increased weight when loaded. A 5000 lb universal kit can be found for under $200. The best of both worlds. __________________ Richard 1972 K10 Custom Deluxe SWB Fleetside My build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=800746

06-26-2003, 11:04 AM	#12
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,724	Bags require user input: checking air pressure and having access to air. The shackles just install. Then self-adjust based on load. I am seriously contemplating a set for my Jimmy. I need the capacity of the 3/4 ton springs because of the 400# tongue weight of my ski boat, but it rides ROUGH on its short wheelbase. Just one of those things that I don't HAVE to have right now, so it waits. Personally, my 3/4 ton pickup rides nice. The only time you really notice it has HD springs in it (7500 gvwr) is on speedbumps or errant potholes. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

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