2.5" or 4" suspension lift?.....and what brand?

[TexasJimmy]

Thinking about lifting the 71'.

Any suggestions on lift size and brand? Gas, or fluid filled shocks?

I want to keep my current tires and wheels. 33x12.50x15.

Any other mods I need to think about when lifting 4".

I have been pricing lift kits at 4 Wheel Parts. Is there a better place to buy a lift.

Here are some pics. of my Blazer

Thanks in advance,
Tim

[sandking]

It looks great just the way it is!!!

[TexasJimmy]

Originally Posted by sandking

It looks great just the way it is!!!

Thanks.

I know, I am on the fence about the lift. Believe this, my wife is the one that suggested the lift...lol

Tim

[AlaskaMatt]

First thing. If you fit the 33s and it drives sweet DON'T mess with it. It's a beauty! As you go up stability goes down. It's just physics.

That said, I am very happy with a 2.5 skyjacker. Rides nice, no need for steering arm replacement either. I brought mine down to a 2.5 lift as it had a 4in front 8 inch rear lift when I purchased. it. It was cheaper to buy a smaller all around spring lift than have stock springs made. But it worked out just fine.

One thing to think about whatever size you go is these tend to be butt draggers. My lift is actually a 2.5 front and 4 rear. If I set a level on the bed rails it's almost perfectly level. 2.5 in the rear would have left me with a rake to the rear.

As it is I may even add some zero rates the bring the rear up just a bit.

[1972CST]

I think a 2-3" lift looks right running 33's and stock 8" wheels. It probably wouldnt hurt to freshen up the leaf springs and shocks anyway. I am running a 2" TC all spring lift... no brake line or steering components needed. I have added a zero-rate add a leaf in the rear to level it out since I took this pic.. Great looking Blazer by the way.

[TexasJimmy]

Matt and CST,

Thanks for the great information. If lifted I will go 2.5 w/add-a-leaf rear sounds like the way to go. I am dragging butt now sitting stock.

What shocks do you recommend? Did you go single or double on the steering shock.

Btw, it does ride sweet the way it is with the 33's.

You both have some nice rides.

Thanks,
Tim

[AlaskaMatt]

I went double steering shock, but it's probably overkill.

As to suspension shocks I just used the skyjacker shocks that came with the kit.

[bigeasycigars]

I like Bilsteins for shocks.

Deavers or Alcan for custom made springs.
Skyjacker Softrides for ready made.
Springs all around.

Sometimes when you go to 4" you have to change driveshafts as well as steering. If your streeting it most, I'd stay low as ya can. Single is fine for a stabilizer unless your going bigger tires (35"or more) and higher lift (6" or more). Otherwise it's for looks.

I just changed mine to a 4" Skyjacker Softride, Bilstein Shocks, Replaced Rubber Body Mounts, Swaybar Disconnect, and ORD Greaseable Bolt/Shackles.

I'll see in a week how it came out.

[TexasJimmy]

Originally Posted by bigeasycigars

I like Bilsteins for shocks.

Deavers or Alcan for custom made springs.
Skyjacker Softrides for ready made.
Springs all around.

Sometimes when you go to 4" you have to change driveshafts as well as steering. If your streeting it most, I'd stay low as ya can. Single is fine for a stabilizer unless your going bigger tires (35"or more) and higher lift (6" or more). Otherwise it's for looks.

I just changed mine to a 4" Skyjacker Softride, Bilstein Shocks, Replaced Rubber Body Mounts, Swaybar Disconnect, and ORD Greaseable Bolt/Shackles.

I'll see in a week how it came out.

Thanks for the take.........let me know what you think. Are there greasable body mounts? I like grease.........

[TexasJimmy]

Bigeasy.....your rig looks awesome....what brand is your soft top? I can't stand my grill insert. I want your egg crate insert with the bow tie....

Tim

[TexasJimmy]

Originally Posted by TexasJimmy

Bigeasy.....your rig looks awesome....what brand is your soft top? I can't stand my grill insert. I want your egg crate insert with the bow tie....

Tim

What size tire are you running? I think I have those rims on my 84' Jimmy. It is also running 33x12.50x15's.

[bigeasycigars]

Originally Posted by TexasJimmy

Bigeasy.....your rig looks awesome....what brand is your soft top? I can't stand my grill insert. I want your egg crate insert with the bow tie....



Tim

It's a Softopper... www.softopper.com
Here are a few grilles for sale on this site.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=454145
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=452339

Thanks for the kind words,

Eric

[TexasJimmy]

Originally Posted by bigeasycigars

It's a Softopper... www.softopper.com
Here are a few grilles for sale on this site.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=454145
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=452339

Thanks for the kind words,

Eric

Eric,
Thanks for the information.

Tim

[mcmlxix]

Most lift springs ride rough and will have you bouncing around unless you go for some custom springs. My Blazer had a 4" lift on it whe I got it. Its a littel bouncy. It has a raised steering arm but stock drive shafts.

Make sure your body mounts are in good shape. That alone can cost you a inch. I did replace the body mounts and added 1" body lift blocks from ORD ( http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/oneinchlift.htm ) If you still need a little more use the add-a-leaf or Zero-Rate for the rear to even it out...

I second Bilstein for shocks. I will be replacing my shocks ASAP with a set of 5150s.

[rads42]

Do you have a before and after pic with the 1" spacers installed. Did all your door gaps, etc come back to normal after the body bushing and spacer install?

[mcmlxix]

Originally Posted by rads42

Do you have a before and after pic with the 1" spacers installed. Did all your door gaps, etc come back to normal after the body bushing and spacer install?

No new pics since the blocks and mounts... I'll try and get some. As far as the body lines, I didn't have much to start with. I did have a few shims that I didn't put back in. The pass side door was fine but the drive door didnt want to close nice....

[mcmlxix]

here are some pics ... w/ 33 x 12.5 x 15