Lifting without Blocks - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Beowolf · 09-01-2003, 10:27 AM

I'm buying new springs for our 71 4x4 truck. We are planning a 2 1/2" lift. What option do I have besides using lift blocks for the rear end? It seems that it would be a better setup to have the springs mounted right to the housing. All the kits I found only had the blocks - no one seemed to have new rear springs to match the front lift. Thanks.

Mark

sakohntr · 09-01-2003, 01:57 PM

Off Road Design makes a rear spring shackle kit to add height. While your at it get there front greasable shackles as well.

**Yukon Jack** · 09-01-2003, 02:42 PM

Tuff Country, also available from Off Road Design sells rear springs as do a few of the other companies. Most of the kits you see are just blocks for money savings, but you can usually upgrade to rear springs. I'm using the shackle flip sakohntr mentioned. It is nice as you retain your stock springs.

Mike C · 09-01-2003, 10:03 PM

Note that the ORD shackle flip is a 4" lift. I have a 4" on the JImmy with Rancho fronts and National Drivetrain 4" HD leafs in the rear. Mega stiff, but I thought necessary for trailering I do.

I would go with a Skyjacker 2 1/2" kit with front and rear springs, but there are other kits out there as noted.

**Yukon Jack** · 09-03-2003, 12:29 PM

ORD does have the shackle flip for a 2 1/2" lift.

714x4 · 09-03-2003, 05:01 PM

I bought my 2 1/2 in. lift springs (front and rear) from Rancho about 10 years ago.

Beowolf · 09-03-2003, 07:43 PM

A lot of good options. I don't want to go too high, but I like the short shakle flip idea. What drawbacks are there if I go with them? ( I am planning on using 3/4 ton springs to gain capacity.)

**Richard** · 09-03-2003, 10:19 PM

One drawback would be that the 2 1/2" version is only made for the 73 up trucks

I wanted to note after my snide remark that you could probably just flip the existing hanger and that should net about 2" of lift, will drop the end about 4". Drill out the rivits and bolt it on upside down.
I am doing that and moving the hanger back on the frame along with moving the front hanger forward, with the curve on the frame should net me about 3" of lift with the same arch springs.

**JIMs70GMC** · 09-04-2003, 05:12 AM

Keep the stock springs and add a "long" add-a-leaf and that will stiffen them up a bit to get you a slightly larger capacity. Make sure it's a long one and not a short one that goes at the bottom(above the over-load) of the spring pack.

**Yukon Jack** · 09-04-2003, 05:11 PM

Dang, hadn't notice the shackle wasn't available in 2 1/2" for our year. Guess that gives you a good reason to go 4".

72beast · 09-05-2003, 10:53 AM

I used a set of these to add 1"...so they would get you half way there...there called Zero Rates...

09-01-2003, 10:27 AM	#1
Beowolf Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Washington - The Great Northwest Posts: 12	Lifting without Blocks I'm buying new springs for our 71 4x4 truck. We are planning a 2 1/2" lift. What option do I have besides using lift blocks for the rear end? It seems that it would be a better setup to have the springs mounted right to the housing. All the kits I found only had the blocks - no one seemed to have new rear springs to match the front lift. Thanks. Mark __________________ 72 Blazer CST 71 1/2 Ton 4x4

09-01-2003, 01:57 PM	#2
sakohntr Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Floodwood Minnesota Posts: 1,057	ORD Off Road Design makes a rear spring shackle kit to add height. While your at it get there front greasable shackles as well. __________________ 1967 K30 Napco 292/SM420 original paint 30k miles 1968 K60 Napco 396/5spd. dbl frame 52" michelins 1969 K10 SWB GMC 454/4spd 6" 35's posi,hooks 1972 C30 longhorn,BB/AT,A/C,Tilt,Toolbox,lokr 1987 K20 Chevrolet Suburban. 6" lift. 5.7L/TH400 1979 K60 GMC Coleman 4x4, 427/Allison.

09-01-2003, 02:42 PM	#3
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	Tuff Country, also available from Off Road Design sells rear springs as do a few of the other companies. Most of the kits you see are just blocks for money savings, but you can usually upgrade to rear springs. I'm using the shackle flip sakohntr mentioned. It is nice as you retain your stock springs. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

09-01-2003, 10:03 PM	#4
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,727	Note that the ORD shackle flip is a 4" lift. I have a 4" on the JImmy with Rancho fronts and National Drivetrain 4" HD leafs in the rear. Mega stiff, but I thought necessary for trailering I do. I would go with a Skyjacker 2 1/2" kit with front and rear springs, but there are other kits out there as noted. __________________ 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

09-03-2003, 12:29 PM	#5
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	ORD does have the shackle flip for a 2 1/2" lift. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

09-03-2003, 05:01 PM	#6
714x4 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 13	I bought my 2 1/2 in. lift springs (front and rear) from Rancho about 10 years ago.

09-03-2003, 07:43 PM	#7
Beowolf Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Washington - The Great Northwest Posts: 12	A lot of good options. I don't want to go too high, but I like the short shakle flip idea. What drawbacks are there if I go with them? ( I am planning on using 3/4 ton springs to gain capacity.) __________________ 72 Blazer CST 71 1/2 Ton 4x4

09-03-2003, 10:19 PM	#8
Richard Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,881	One drawback would be that the 2 1/2" version is only made for the 73 up trucks I wanted to note after my snide remark that you could probably just flip the existing hanger and that should net about 2" of lift, will drop the end about 4". Drill out the rivits and bolt it on upside down. I am doing that and moving the hanger back on the frame along with moving the front hanger forward, with the curve on the frame should net me about 3" of lift with the same arch springs. __________________ Richard 1972 K10 Custom Deluxe SWB Fleetside My build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=800746 Last edited by Richard; 09-03-2003 at 10:27 PM.

09-04-2003, 05:12 AM	#9
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Keep the stock springs and add a "long" add-a-leaf and that will stiffen them up a bit to get you a slightly larger capacity. Make sure it's a long one and not a short one that goes at the bottom(above the over-load) of the spring pack. __________________ 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

09-04-2003, 05:11 PM	#10
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	Dang, hadn't notice the shackle wasn't available in 2 1/2" for our year. Guess that gives you a good reason to go 4". __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

09-05-2003, 10:53 AM	#11
72beast TONYP Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: So Cal Posts: 100	I used a set of these to add 1"...so they would get you half way there...there called Zero Rates... __________________ 72 K/5 350/205 SOFT-TOP DOUG THORLEY HEADERS A/C CUSTOM REAR BUMPER http://www.socalbigdawgs.com/tr/7.18.03/DSC04290.JPG

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