5.5" of lift questions! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Destructo · 01-04-2004, 03:40 PM

I'm going to assume I will need a transfer drop kit for this much lift (need it for 6" anyway) also will shocks that come with a 4" lift kit work for the extra 1.5"? And will the brake lines work with the brackets included with the 4" lift?

The method i'm choosing for this amount of lift is a 4" rough country All spring lift, with hydro shocks, raised steering arm, brake line extensions (may upgrade to SS lines in the future). For the extra 1.5" on top of the 4" lift I will be running 1.5" heavy duty daystar front shackles and 1.5" lift blocks in the rear. I will be running 35x12.5" tires also.

So what will I need on top of the stuff that a normal 4" kit comes with? Transfer case drop, and where can I get one? I'm getting the 4" rough country kit from JCwhitney (cheap shipping) which comes with rear blocks but I bought a brand new pair of rough country rear 52" 4" lift springs off ebay which will go in place of the blocks. Will I need to lengthen either of my drive shafts?

The truck is an '85 Chevy K10 shortbed with D44/12B

Prerunner1982 · 01-04-2004, 04:06 PM

shackle only provide 1/2 the lift... if you get a 2" longer shackle... you will only get 1" lift....you dont want too long of a shackle....

figured you knew that, but wanted to make sure..

Destructo · 01-04-2004, 11:33 PM

Well, these say their 1.5" lift shackles. I would assume that means they will lift it 1.5".

**JIMs70GMC** · 01-05-2004, 07:12 AM

probably 3" longer shackles. The problem then is the pinion is now pointing down and would cause u-joint binding. With that much lift you may or may not need to lengthen the drive line. I can't remember what TC do you have? If it's a 208 then your drive shaft is short than say a truck w/ a 205. The tc drop is just 1" spacers to lower the rear cross member from the frame. the cross member is held on with 4 bolts. I had a friend that had 6" of lift on a K5 that lowered the TC but did not lengthen the rear drive shaft.
Get the 4" lift on and see what you got, then hope for the best and expect the worst.

**Yukon Jack** · 01-05-2004, 02:10 PM

You are gonna want to cycle your suspension to see if those shocks work. I originally had a 4" lift with Tuff Country shocks designed for that much lift. I later made some changes which made the front lift right about 6" - used the same Tuff Country shocks but turns out they were basically fully extended when at rest which made for a very bouncy ride.

Those shocks might be fine but you won't really know until you have the lift installed and can cycle it or at least figure out how much travel you have in the shock extended and fully compressed and then decide if the shocks will work within that range on your suspension.

**Yukon Jack** · 01-05-2004, 02:11 PM

Might be a great time to go with some long travel shocks - I'm doing some now that will give about 15" of shock travel.

Destructo · 01-05-2004, 03:57 PM

Do you have to extend your shock mounts for those?

**Yukon Jack** · 01-05-2004, 06:59 PM

Yep. Not a big job though.

Destructo · 01-06-2004, 12:11 AM

Did you fab your own or just buy some aftermarkets and weld them on? If theres a place online that sells them point me that way.

**Yukon Jack** · 01-06-2004, 12:12 PM

I ordered 4 Ford shock towers so I could do all my shocks, there is a great write up at this link and at the bottom of the link is the part number for the shock towers. http://www.coloradok5.com/ranchoreview.shtml

The shock tower is about 15" long and you decide where you are going to mount it then you cut off the excess. I ordered mine online at one of the Ford discount part websites and paid about $15.00 per tower. (A little grinder work and the Ford logo will be gone.)

I will be installing mine shortly. I ordered the new Rancho RS9000x shocks, part number RS99036 which gives a shock that is 21.125" compressed, 36.125" extended with 15" of travel. I did have to order 4 extra metal bushing sleeves as each shock only came with one metal bushing sleeve. These shocks have 9 different settings and I have read some good things on them.

smokkey1 · 01-07-2004, 04:07 PM

just get an 2" body lift and call it a day

Destructo · 01-07-2004, 08:58 PM

I don't really like body lifts though. I think what I may do is get the 1" zero rates in the front and make a shackle 1" longer than factory (shouldn't be enough extra length to mess up anything). And then get the 25 dollar 1.5" lift blocks for the rear.

smokkey1 · 01-07-2004, 10:40 PM

just trim the fenders...

Destructo · 01-08-2004, 05:06 PM

Its still a pretty truck, no need to be trimming fenders. It will probably turn into a poser rig anyway and I don't want hacked up fenders.

01-04-2004, 03:40 PM	#1
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	5.5" of lift questions! I'm going to assume I will need a transfer drop kit for this much lift (need it for 6" anyway) also will shocks that come with a 4" lift kit work for the extra 1.5"? And will the brake lines work with the brackets included with the 4" lift? The method i'm choosing for this amount of lift is a 4" rough country All spring lift, with hydro shocks, raised steering arm, brake line extensions (may upgrade to SS lines in the future). For the extra 1.5" on top of the 4" lift I will be running 1.5" heavy duty daystar front shackles and 1.5" lift blocks in the rear. I will be running 35x12.5" tires also. So what will I need on top of the stuff that a normal 4" kit comes with? Transfer case drop, and where can I get one? I'm getting the 4" rough country kit from JCwhitney (cheap shipping) which comes with rear blocks but I bought a brand new pair of rough country rear 52" 4" lift springs off ebay which will go in place of the blocks. Will I need to lengthen either of my drive shafts? The truck is an '85 Chevy K10 shortbed with D44/12B

01-04-2004, 04:06 PM	#2
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	shackle only provide 1/2 the lift... if you get a 2" longer shackle... you will only get 1" lift....you dont want too long of a shackle.... figured you knew that, but wanted to make sure.. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call Last edited by Prerunner1982; 01-04-2004 at 04:09 PM.

01-05-2004, 07:12 AM	#4
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	probably 3" longer shackles. The problem then is the pinion is now pointing down and would cause u-joint binding. With that much lift you may or may not need to lengthen the drive line. I can't remember what TC do you have? If it's a 208 then your drive shaft is short than say a truck w/ a 205. The tc drop is just 1" spacers to lower the rear cross member from the frame. the cross member is held on with 4 bolts. I had a friend that had 6" of lift on a K5 that lowered the TC but did not lengthen the rear drive shaft. Get the 4" lift on and see what you got, then hope for the best and expect the worst. __________________ 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

01-05-2004, 02:10 PM	#5
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	You are gonna want to cycle your suspension to see if those shocks work. I originally had a 4" lift with Tuff Country shocks designed for that much lift. I later made some changes which made the front lift right about 6" - used the same Tuff Country shocks but turns out they were basically fully extended when at rest which made for a very bouncy ride. Those shocks might be fine but you won't really know until you have the lift installed and can cycle it or at least figure out how much travel you have in the shock extended and fully compressed and then decide if the shocks will work within that range on your suspension. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

01-05-2004, 02:11 PM	#6
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	Might be a great time to go with some long travel shocks - I'm doing some now that will give about 15" of shock travel. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

01-04-2004, 11:33 PM	#3
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	Well, these say their 1.5" lift shackles. I would assume that means they will lift it 1.5".

01-05-2004, 03:57 PM	#7
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	Do you have to extend your shock mounts for those?

01-05-2004, 06:59 PM	#8
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	Yep. Not a big job though. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

01-06-2004, 12:11 AM	#9
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	Did you fab your own or just buy some aftermarkets and weld them on? If theres a place online that sells them point me that way.

01-06-2004, 12:12 PM	#10
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	I ordered 4 Ford shock towers so I could do all my shocks, there is a great write up at this link and at the bottom of the link is the part number for the shock towers. http://www.coloradok5.com/ranchoreview.shtml The shock tower is about 15" long and you decide where you are going to mount it then you cut off the excess. I ordered mine online at one of the Ford discount part websites and paid about $15.00 per tower. (A little grinder work and the Ford logo will be gone.) I will be installing mine shortly. I ordered the new Rancho RS9000x shocks, part number RS99036 which gives a shock that is 21.125" compressed, 36.125" extended with 15" of travel. I did have to order 4 extra metal bushing sleeves as each shock only came with one metal bushing sleeve. These shocks have 9 different settings and I have read some good things on them. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

01-07-2004, 04:07 PM	#11
smokkey1 Land Beast Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 134	just get an 2" body lift and call it a day __________________ 90' GMC 1 Ton Suburban

01-07-2004, 08:58 PM	#12
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	I don't really like body lifts though. I think what I may do is get the 1" zero rates in the front and make a shackle 1" longer than factory (shouldn't be enough extra length to mess up anything). And then get the 25 dollar 1.5" lift blocks for the rear.

01-07-2004, 10:40 PM	#13
smokkey1 Land Beast Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 134	just trim the fenders... __________________ 90' GMC 1 Ton Suburban

01-08-2004, 05:06 PM	#14
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	Its still a pretty truck, no need to be trimming fenders. It will probably turn into a poser rig anyway and I don't want hacked up fenders.

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