Old-Timey Lift"Kit"

[special-K]

My first lifted truck was a`69 Dodge W-200 Power Wagon.It was in 1976/77 and nobody made lift springs for it.I removed the springs and dismantled the spring packs on one side.On an anvil,me and my buddy pounded the mainleaf with a sledge hammer from the center out until it was arched how I wanted it compared to the opposing spring.Then did the same to the rest of the pack to fit the mainleaf arch.Then repeated on the other side,matching the mainleaf arch,etc.We did it on a Saturday and drove it that night.I had ordered Rough Country shocks from Dick Cepek that were longer.Other than the shocks,all it cost was sweat and numb handzzz!The tires were Armstrong Extra-Tractions,14.50/37x15s on 10x15 8 lug Jackman Wagon Wheels.I did some cutting on the front fenders and made bumpers out of 4"pipe.Later,I did a frame-off using a W-300 cab,Flareside bed,and axles.That parts truck cost me 50 bucks.I also had to have headers custom made.That was no "easy pickup".I`ve had GMs ever since.Whenever I needed steering or drivetrain parts,it sat for 4-6 weeks waiting for parts.Bare in mind it was only 8-10 years old at the time.Back then I broke alot,axles,center driveshaft,diffs(w/lockers)...