The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1973 - 1987 Chevrolet & GMC Squarebody Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-17-2011, 08:27 PM   #1
Daytona#3895
Registered User
 
Daytona#3895's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 21
Lift question

I have a 1987 k-10. This is my first lifted vehicle. I always had muscle cars. The truck has a 6" Superlift kit with 35x12.5x15 BFG All Terrains. It seems to be a good kit. I am not sure what kit it is though. It was on the truck when I bought it. There are no lift blocks, it is all spring. Rear springs have 7 leaf. 6 normal size leaf and 1 that looks like its 2 to 3 times thicker. It may be a helper. Its closest to the axle and its the shortest. The front has 6 leaf. I have the factory quad shock in front and the normal 1 shock per side in the rear. I also have dual stabilizers up front and a drop pitman arm. The sway bar is intact and lowered accordingly. I checked the entire front end as well as the rear. All is working properly and nothing is loose, worn or damaged. My question is, being its my first lifted truck, do they all ride like tanks? It is the worst riding vehicle I have ever been in! The suspension doesn't give or flex at all. Every little bump I hit, my head wants to bounce off the roof! Is this normal? I doubt if softer shocks would lessen the bouncing. The springs don't budge. For a daily driver, its a bit much and is taking all the fun out of driving it. Do I have to swap out for a more softer spring or is it just how it is?
__________________
Current vehicles
1987 Chevy V-10
2006 Dodge Charger R/T Daytona
2004 Jeep Wrangler Sport
1996 Jeep Cherokee Classic
1968 Chevy Camaro SS
Daytona#3895 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2011, 08:38 PM   #2
b454rat
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Binghamton, NY
Posts: 3,454
Re: Lift question

Take one of the shocks off up front, probly make it little better. It's hard to get these trucks to ride "decent". The lift kits aren't the greatest either. Want good springs, have to pay good money.
__________________
2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS
1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 6” lift
1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 4" SAS
b454rat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2011, 08:50 PM   #3
PaRedneckRiders
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Armagh,PA
Posts: 138
Re: Lift question

My truck has a cheaper lift on it, its 4in blocks in the rear and 3in body lift but mine rides like a tank also. I just have the single shock up front.
I guess its just something i have learned to live with since it doesnt seem to bother me much anymore although i do plan on redoing all the suspension with something different eventually.
PaRedneckRiders is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2011, 09:09 PM   #4
Your41Plague12
Registered User
 
Your41Plague12's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 1,009
Re: Lift question

I have a suspension and body lift on mine and it's just as you described. I've hit my head off the roof before. I have 6" springs in the front, and factory 3/4 ton leaves in the back with a 4" block and an add a leaf in the back. It has ZERO suspension flex.
__________________
Steve
Member of the Foot Pedal Club
'83 Chevy K20: 6" Rough Country, 3" Performance Accessories BL,
Bushwacker Cutouts, 38x15.50 Mickey Thompson Baja Claws,
350 HP 350 crate engine from Jegs, Turbo 400
Your41Plague12 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2011, 09:19 PM   #5
Daytona#3895
Registered User
 
Daytona#3895's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 21
Re: Lift question

Thanks for the input. I guess its just how a lifted truck rides. I will just have to get used to it. Haven't been off road with it yet. When I do, I will be sure to where a helmut......
__________________
Current vehicles
1987 Chevy V-10
2006 Dodge Charger R/T Daytona
2004 Jeep Wrangler Sport
1996 Jeep Cherokee Classic
1968 Chevy Camaro SS
Daytona#3895 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2011, 09:24 PM   #6
Your41Plague12
Registered User
 
Your41Plague12's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 1,009
Re: Lift question

The lift kits for these trucks leave a lot to be desired if you buy it from a kit. Depending on how much lift you're looking for, you could go with a shackle flip in the rear and move the front spring hangers to fit 52" stock rear half ton springs in the front. This will net about 4" of lift and flex nicely. There is more to be done though, if I remember right a zero rate needs to be added under the springs in the front to relocate the axle to the correct position. Lots of guys have done this, and with a good set of 33's or a narrow set of 35's you'll go anywhere (within reason, of course) and it won't ride too roughly.
__________________
Steve
Member of the Foot Pedal Club
'83 Chevy K20: 6" Rough Country, 3" Performance Accessories BL,
Bushwacker Cutouts, 38x15.50 Mickey Thompson Baja Claws,
350 HP 350 crate engine from Jegs, Turbo 400
Your41Plague12 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2011, 09:29 PM   #7
Daytona#3895
Registered User
 
Daytona#3895's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 21
Re: Lift question

That could be something I could look into. I have had the truck for about 2 months now. Have a lot of minor repairs to make before I tackle that. It has the typical slow window motors/regulators, a slight bog under WOT acceleration, and a heating issue. The mode door moves from defrost to vent to floor when i set it cold. When I set it to hot, it just comes out vents. Tackle that this weekend before the New England winter sets in.
__________________
Current vehicles
1987 Chevy V-10
2006 Dodge Charger R/T Daytona
2004 Jeep Wrangler Sport
1996 Jeep Cherokee Classic
1968 Chevy Camaro SS
Daytona#3895 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2011, 05:59 AM   #8
dman1982
Registered User
 
dman1982's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: jacksonville nc
Posts: 1,229
Re: Lift question

check the shocks, make sure the bushings are good togo, and see if everything is tight as far as she shocks and shock absorbers, my truck also rides like a tank but i did these few things and it made a world of difference, but still rode like a tank
__________________
Sgt Dennis Heineman
USMC Aviation Ordnance
I.Y.A.O.Y.A.S
2001-Present

84 K10
2000 trans am ws6
2011 nissan altima
2009 Troy Built with a 42 Inch Deck

My LS Swap http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6559371
dman1982 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:24 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com