Lift Kit

[AJ4X4TJ]

What is the best lift kit for 1970 Blazer? I'm thinking to go 8" high with 40" Boggers. Any suggestions and advices before i start spending money? And will my 350 short block support all this? I plan on heavily off road with it and therefor i also wanted to know what gears, lockers, roll cage...etc that you may recommend? I'm new to this site and i look forward to hearing back from you.
Thank you in advance for all your help.

[Jtrux]

This will probably get moved to the 4x4 section just to let you know. With 8 inches of lift you'll have to trim the fenders a bit, I personally would not want to do that but it's your truck. Second your engine will be fine as long as it's geared right. You did not mention wether or not you have an auto or a manual tranny, if it is an auto I recommend a tranny cooler and a guage to monitor it. With 40's I would put 5.13's in it, it depends on what kind of off-roading your doing. Your axles won't last long if you run the truck you say you are. I wouldn't even think of putting a stock 12 bolt through the strain of a 40 inch tire so an upgrade is mandatory, a GM 14 bolt is cheap and easy. For the front the most common upgrade is a Dana 60 which are expensive but about your only choice because the Dana 44 in it right now will not hold up. You have a lot of work cu out for you as well as a lot of money to spend if 40's are your goal and serious off-roading is on your agenda.

Oh and post some pics...and welcome.

[Chevyman63]

Welcome from Michigan.
I'm sure you'll get alot of good advice... this is a great place to be.
BTW, I agree with Jtrux.

[Critter]

Welcome to the board! Jtux said alot of good advice. Also, with 8 inches you will have to extend your front driveshaft and do some serious steering correction work. A crossover setup would be best. If you REALLY want 40s, you might be better off with a 6" and a body lift (be careful, stacking lifts like this isn't legal in all states). It all depends on how extreme you want to go, how much $$$ you want to spend, and how much (if any) street use it will see.

[jojotonka]

Well, Here's my two cents. I have a 6" lift and 37's with 12" wide wheels. Had to buy the new steering arm. Everything else was fine. Front drive shaft ok, as well as rear.
Right now I have 3.73 gears and it's a terd off the line. But I can still go on the freeway. I'm not sure if you can get 5.13 gears in a 12 bolt and a 44?

But these guys here know their stuff, I've learned alot too. Good luck!! Keep us posted.

[bouncytruck]

My last rig had 35's with 6" of lift and 4.10s. It was the right combo. 10" of lift would be a minimum in my opinion for 40s. 5.13's sound about right, but I'm no gear expert. I've also heard that 35's are the largest recommended size for 1/2 ton running gear. You'll probably end up breaking something pretty quick so don't invest in new gears until you find some 3/4 or 1 ton gear.

As far as lift's I've heard SuperLift or custom Alcan springs give the best ride with the most flex.

[vtblazer]

Jtrux nailed it, be ready to spend ALOT of cash combined with blood/sweat and tears.

I'm currently running pretty much what you've described and I'll tell ya now, it's a long road to get there.

Axles, lockers, cross over, ram assist, body trimming, cage, wheels/tires...etc.
Be ready to drop somewhere around $1500/$1800 just for drive shafts alone.

You'll also want to look into some sort of serious gear reduction unit.
I.E. a doubler or Low-max/Atlas kinda thing.

Even with 5:13's a single t-case won't provide enough gear for any kind of real wheeling/crawling.

To build a trail ready, capable, dependable off road blazer, your knocking on the 20K door.

Then there's the 3K to 5K for the trailer to haul it around.

Not meaning to poo-poo your build but that's the reality of it.

Welcome to the board, enjoy the ride.