Lift kit

[log103]

Looking to buy a 4 inch lift kit for my 1969 C 10 4X4. I was going to buy a kit with the front leaf springs and the rear lift blocks should I buy the kit with the rear and front leaf springs or are the lift blocks fine in the back with the stock leaf springs? Thanks

[Yukon Jack]

What is your intended use? If you're going to be doing a lot of offroad driving/more hardcore you may benefit from springs front and rear but for lots of people blocks in the rear is just fine.

I've used Tuff Country on my 69K20 and like it - be sure to check out Offroad Design's website as they have good products and great service.

Do you have the closed knuckle Dana 44 up front? If so you'll need an adjustable drag link to correct your steering. I don't think anyone makes a raised steering arm for the closed knuckle front axle.

[log103]

I do not plan on doing any extreme off-road just a bit and I am not sure if I have the Dana 44 up in the front will I still need the adjustable drag link even with the blocks? If so where could I find one for my truck? Thanks

[Foureye71]

Planning to do the same on my '71 but I have the open knuckle d44. I'm doing a shackle flip for the rear spring. I don't know if you've considered doing a shackle flip but its an option for you.

[Yukon Jack]

The shackle flip does move the rear axle a little forward in the wheel well - you can use a zero-rate from Offroad Design to move it back a bit. Just something to keep in mind.

log103 - can you post a picture of your front axle by chance?

[Foureye71]

Originally Posted by Yukon Jack

The shackle flip does move the rear axle a little forward in the wheel well - you can use a zero-rate from Offroad Design to move it back a bit. Just something to keep in mind.

log103 - can you post a picture of your front axle by chance?

Yeah I had seen on ORD's shackle flip they had something saying that the axle moves up. Originally I was just going to redrill the locating hole but I guess ORD just came out with this http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/Axl...%20Plates.html

Sorry for the hijack op.

[log103]

I won't be able to post a pic of the front axle for about 3 weeks because I won't be able to get up to my shop till then but is the shackle flip and the longer steering link nessary for a 4 inch lift? Thanks

[Yukon Jack]

Most people will recommend you address the steering with a 4" lift.

If your front axle looks like this -



you have the closed knuckle Dana 44 and you will want to get the adjustable drag link to address your steering.

Here is what the adjustable drag link looks like -



By the way - there is a 4x4 subforum on the board that is a great source for info and asking questions.

[log103]

Thanks for everyone's input I appreciate it!

[special-K]

That adjustable drag link is a lift drag link. Use that when you have closed knuckle because they also have different steering. On open knuckle you use a raised steering arm.

It's real simple, blocks will work on the rear and that is cheapest. Springs on rear is better and that costs more. Shackle-flip isn't about the money, it's about a softer ride/more flex than original.

[jerry moss]

i've rolled blocks twice on the rear of two different trucks in the past 40 years so i vote for springs all around. i have 4 inch tuff country under my suburban, i used 6 inch skyjacker all spring under another truck.

[special-K]

I've gone on the cheap and used an Add-A-leaf plus a 2" block. It gets the cost closer to doing springs, but also very easy to do. 2" block is next to nothing. My truck had the original 1/2" cast spacer for the Dana60, plus someone had put a solid 1" steel block in there. So, I've had 1.5" of spacing all along with no ill effects. What's another 1/2", especially when I've added a stout extra leaf?

[RANDY COX]

Hey log103 your just a hop skip and jump from me here in Radford, I've always used Rough Country lifts for all of my vehicles that I've had over the years...I've never had any problems with them but that's all I could afford I'm sure there are better one's out there I see people already have chimed in and always eager to help people out...post up some pictures of your truck as we all here love pictures....