73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe

[bucannon]

i have finally gotten the time to install my lift spindles. they are 1988 - 1998 Chevy 4 inch lift spindles.

my reason for lifting is that i use my truck as a work truck. So i really could use the extra ride height and "long travel" with some big tires which will improve ride quality. I opted to keep the stock coil springs as they are not stiff springs and that will keep it smooth on the road.

the parts list so far is:

• 1973 - 1987 3/4 ton lower control arms
• 1988 - 1998 upper ball joints
• 1988 - 1998 outer tie rod ends
• 1988- 1998 rotors and calipers

so with all my parts here or on the way, i began





Just wanted to say i used Rock Auto to order all my parts because even with shipping, they are usually less than half the price Autozone/Advanced/Oreilly or other stores.

[bucannon]

here is the drivers side mocked up without the spring installed

[y5mgisi]

Very interesting. Cool stuff! Im interested to see how it turns out!

[bucannon]

more pictures




here is the 88-98 upper ball joint. it fits right where the old one did luckily!







The Rock Auto lower control arm "dent" next to the shock mount wasnt as deep as the original so i had to get the air chisel out and modify it to allow the bolt to fit.

[Cherub]

Originally Posted by bucannon

more pictures





The Rock Auto lower control arm "dent" next to the shock mount wasnt as deep as the original so i had to get the air chisel out and modify it to allow the bolt to fit.

I need to do this to my LCA cause its a pain to put the bolts in.

[bucannon]

I Made alot of progress on the passenger side today. but snce my internet is slow i cant upload very many of the pictures i took.


but i have the passenger side mocked up and il be putting the spring in tomorrow

i will also hopefully be getting some 1988 - 1998 rotors and calipers from the junkyard tomorrow too.

not sure if i will need brake line extensions yet but it looks like i might


here is a picture i managed to upload comparing the old lower ball joint to the new one. more pictures to come when my internet isint so slow!

[bucannon]

i have almost finished.

i used 3/4 ton heavy duty brakes so my original plan to use 15 inch rims would not work. so i bought a set of 17 stock bullet hole style rims from a buddy.


they look like this except with GMC center caps

[joe231]

cool build!
What is your plan for the rear?

Can you clarify this

Originally Posted by bucannon

i used 3/4 ton heavy duty brakes

The 6 lug stuff is the light duty 3/4 ton.
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[Suburban_Tyler]

Originally Posted by joe231

cool build!
What is your plan for the rear?

Can you clarify this


The 6 lug stuff is the light duty 3/4 ton.
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I'm curious on the brakes too. I'd say he would just use 4wd axle shafts in the rear.

[rocking chevy]

If you don't mind me asking, how much did the lift spindles cost, and how much did everything else cost?

[bucannon]

Originally Posted by rocking chevy

If you don't mind me asking, how much did the lift spindles cost, and how much did everything else cost?

lift spindle set $250

the lower control arms $89 each

ball joints and tie rods about $60

having a one of a kind truck: Priceless





as for rotors and calipers i recommend hitting up your local junkyard, get 3/4 ton stuff

[rocking chevy]

Originally Posted by bucannon

lift spindle set $250

the lower control arms $89 each

ball joints and tie rods about $60

having a one of a kind truck: Priceless


as for rotors and calipers i recommend hitting up your local junkyard, get 3/4 ton stuff

Thanks a lot man, its looking great, and should ride good.

[bucannon]

got the wheels mounted using washers as wheel spacers haha

[N2TRUX]

I really like what you are doing here. For those of you that like what you see, there is a great article on this topic in our FAQ forum. Take a look at "73-87 2wd lift with 33x10.5x 18 Nittos"

[rocking chevy]

Anymore progress on this?
And what size tires are you running?

[Suburban_Tyler]

Originally Posted by bucannon

i have finally gotten the time to install my lift spindles. they are 1988 - 1998 Chevy 4 inch lift spindles.

my reason for lifting is that i use my truck as a work truck. So i really could use the extra ride height and "long travel" with some big tires which will improve ride quality. I opted to keep the stock coil springs as they are not stiff springs and that will keep it smooth on the road.

the parts list so far is:

• 1973 - 1987 3/4 ton lower control arms (or just ball joints)
• 1988 - 1998 upper ball joints
• 1988 - 1998 outer tie rod ends
• 1988- 1998 rotors and calipers

so with all my parts here or on the way, i began

Just wanted to say i used Rock Auto to order all my parts because even with shipping, they are usually less than half the price Autozone/Advanced/Oreilly or other stores.

So the lower control arm has to be changed or can just the lower ball joint be changed? I see the taper is different on the two. Is the lower ball joint you used from a 88-98 or 73-87? I want to do this set up to my suburban.

I was reading on another forum that a guy used 1 ton lift spindles and switched to 8 lug. Any info on swapping to 8 lug? Of course the rear end is easy enough

[rocking chevy]

Originally Posted by Suburban_Tyler

So the lower control arm has to be changed or can just the lower ball joint be changed? I see the taper is different on the two. Is the lower ball joint you used from a 88-98 or 73-87? I want to do this set up to my suburban.

I was reading on another forum that a guy used 1 ton lift spindles and switched to 8 lug. Any info on swapping to 8 lug? Of course the rear end is easy enough

do you know whats different about the lift spindles, for 1/2 tons , and 1 tons? If there the same then all you need is different rotors that are 8 lug, if there different then you need 1 ton lift spindles, and 8 lug rotors.

[Suburban_Tyler]

Originally Posted by rocking chevy

do you know whats different about the lift spindles, for 1/2 tons , and 1 tons? If there the same then all you need is different rotors that are 8 lug, if there different then you need 1 ton lift spindles, and 8 lug rotors.

Physical difference I don't know the difference. They do show a different part number for the 1/2- light duty 3/4 ton to the heady duty 3/4 to 1 ton. All I've gathered so far just from looking up parts is that they use the same lower ball joint. Upper is different but only difference I can see just from pictures is the mounting surface. From the pictures I have looked at the upper control arm is made up different between the two as well. I just happen to look at a buddy's 1/2 ton 4wd upper control arm this weekend and it looked like it was the same as the heavy duty 3/4 and 1 ton 2wd. I'll have to check it out. I'm sure it will lead to nothing but anything is possible.

[rocking chevy]

Originally Posted by Suburban_Tyler

Physical difference I don't know the difference. They do show a different part number for the 1/2- light duty 3/4 ton to the heady duty 3/4 to 1 ton. All I've gathered so far just from looking up parts is that they use the same lower ball joint. Upper is different but only difference I can see just from pictures is the mounting surface. From the pictures I have looked at the upper control arm is made up different between the two as well. I just happen to look at a buddy's 1/2 ton 4wd upper control arm this weekend and it looked like it was the same as the heavy duty 3/4 and 1 ton 2wd. I'll have to check it out. I'm sure it will lead to nothing but anything is possible.

if all you need to make it work is the upper control arm, then thats easy.

[Suburban_Tyler]

I haven't looked to hard yet but I havent even found a lift spindle for a 2wd heavy 3/4-1 ton 92-98 yet. Upper 4wd 1/2 ton and 2wd 1ton ball joints are different in 1993.

[bucannon]

okay sorry about taking so long to respond i have been at sea for two months with Texas Maritime Academy. taking classes and working towards my 3rd mates license.

but the 88-98 1 ton spindle is different as i tried to use a 2500HD 13 inch 8 lug rotor and the bearings were too big for the spindle. im sure they make a 1 ton lift spindle.


the "3/4 ton" brakes are from that same 2500 truck with the 13 inch rotors. they fit the spindle and the 11" rotor. the advantage is bigger pads and a larger bore on the cylinder.




as for the lower ball joint. it is a 73-87 3/4 ton. you can keep you original lower control arm and i almost wish i did because i have to take it all apart again to modify the Rock Auto lower control arms again to get them to center up [ i will explain this in detail in a later post].

the upper ball joint is the 88-93 i used 1/2 ton. but i am worried that i may have needed 3/4 ton. but i will find out soon if this is true.


for the rear i plan to use 5 lug to 6 lug adapters.

i need spacers for the front because i chose to use 17" 2007 stock bullet hole style rims from a buddies GMC. i will post pictures soon


i also plan to eventually get a set of 35 inch tires. that is after i buy the spacers and adapters.



once again sorry i took so long to respond!

[Suburban_Tyler]

Originally Posted by bucannon

okay sorry about taking so long to respond i have been at sea for two months with Texas Maritime Academy. taking classes and working towards my 3rd mates license.

but the 88-98 1 ton spindle is different as i tried to use a 2500HD 13 inch 8 lug rotor and the bearings were too big for the spindle. im sure they make a 1 ton lift spindle.


the "3/4 ton" brakes are from that same 2500 truck with the 13 inch rotors. they fit the spindle and the 11" rotor. the advantage is bigger pads and a larger bore on the cylinder.



as for the lower ball joint. it is a 73-87 3/4 ton. you can keep you original lower control arm and i almost wish i did because i have to take it all apart again to modify the Rock Auto lower control arms again to get them to center up [ i will explain this in detail in a later post].

the upper ball joint is the 88-93 i used 1/2 ton. but i am worried that i may have needed 3/4 ton. but i will find out soon if this is true.


for the rear i plan to use 5 lug to 6 lug adapters.

i need spacers for the front because i chose to use 17" 2007 stock bullet hole style rims from a buddies GMC. i will post pictures soon


i also plan to eventually get a set of 35 inch tires. that is after i buy the spacers and adapters.



once again sorry i took so long to respond!

So if the bearings would have fit from the HD3/4ton do you think the rotor and caliper would have still fit together on the 1/2ton spindle? The caliper being taller the reason the original wheels wouldn't fit?

[joe231]

No worries!

So the calipers are from a 2500HD and they fit the 2500LD rotors?

How much lift do the spindles give you? Are you going to run lift blocks in the rear?
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[Walts_restoration]

you say you can keep the original 1/2 lower control arm?

[bucannon]

Originally Posted by Walts_restoration

you say you can keep the original 1/2 lower control arm?

no the 3/4 ton ball joint is a larger diameter than the 1/2 ton so you do need the 3/4 ton lower control arms