Softest Riding lift kit - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

8mag · 11-21-2002, 10:01 AM

wondering what is the softest riding lift kit out there,21/2" or 4". i have tuff country lifts on my trucks and they are no where near "soft ride". also have 22 to 29 pounds air in tires and tried couple different shocks.

Pont · 11-21-2002, 11:25 AM

I'm running the Skyjacker Softride springs and 5-way adjustable Rancho RS9000's. Mine rides far better than stock.

chevy68388 · 11-22-2002, 06:57 PM

i have trail master well did it rode like a brick skyjacker is bout the only lift i can think of thats soft

breeh · 11-22-2002, 11:10 PM

My Skyjacker Softride rides better than stock as well.

BLAZERMAN · 11-23-2002, 12:12 AM

I'm using the Skyjacker Softride springs front and rear on my blazer and they give a very good ride, much better than stock.

sbrban · 11-27-2002, 09:40 PM

those of you that have the skyjacker set up what height is it? 4" ?
what about driveshaft (or any other)vibrations after the install?

breeh · 11-28-2002, 12:52 PM

I've got a 4"...no vibrations. I had to have a new driveshaft built because I changed to 3/4 running gear (bigger u-joints) and a 700R4.

chris 71K5 · 12-10-2002, 02:15 PM

I know a few guys running BDS 4" front springs on 73-87 style trucks and they ride real good. For the rear, get some 87-91 K5 Blazer or Jimmy rear springs and do a shackle flip. Those springs have a softer rate and they also have teflon friction pads in between the individual leaves. With the shackle flip, they will bolt up if your truck was originally a 1/2 ton. Also, try Rancho RS9000s. You can adjust them to be soft or firm.

stomper · 12-11-2002, 05:54 AM

I've got 6" skyjaker softride on my '86 3/4 ton. I would not describe it as stiff or harsh but it does get a little bouncy on some stretches of the highway and you don't want to hit speed bumps too fast or it'll rattle your teeth. Best thing I did was install the sway bar disconnect (either from coloradok5.com or offroadesign.com I forget) Your '71 probably doesn't have the sway bar but I highly recommend it. I drove this truck with swaybar disconnected, bolted thru stock location, and with disconnect kit and I wouldn't have it any other way.

694X4 · 12-11-2002, 09:13 AM

I have a 6" sky jacker soft ride on my 72 3/4 ton frame but i have not driven it yet, waiting to get the body on around the first of the year. I have a friend with the 8" soft ride and he loves his. You will never get a solid axle leafspring truck to ride "smooth" but i think the soft ride does the best job make it not so harsh.

Bram · 12-18-2002, 11:41 AM

I've got a 2 1/2" Skyjacker softride on my 72 3/4 ton 4x4 and it rides great! It actually rides better than my new 3/4-ton 4x4 GMC. I've defiantly got a good testing ground for it to, 3 1/2 miles of ruff dirt roads just to get home.

11-21-2002, 10:01 AM	#1
8mag Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: nampa idaho,usa Posts: 92	Softest Riding lift kit wondering what is the softest riding lift kit out there,21/2" or 4". i have tuff country lifts on my trucks and they are no where near "soft ride". also have 22 to 29 pounds air in tires and tried couple different shocks. __________________ 1972 3/4 4x4,14bolt locker rear, dana44 lock right front, sm465, sb 400, blazer tank,dual batterys,3"lift,32-9.00-16 super swampers daily driver other trucks 1972 1 ton dually 4x4,454 4 spd,,235-85-16, flat bed front and rear winches, rear gas tank and under bed gun safe.tilt wheel

11-21-2002, 11:25 AM	#2
Pont I need another Barley Pop Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,629	I'm running the Skyjacker Softride springs and 5-way adjustable Rancho RS9000's. Mine rides far better than stock. __________________ 67 Short Fleet 4x4 04 Honda CRF450R 89 Toyota 4-Runner 34 Ford 2 door sedan - Long term project ---------------------------------------------- There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

11-22-2002, 06:57 PM	#3
chevy68388 king $h!t Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: spring valley/ohio/usa Posts: 416	i have trail master well did it rode like a brick skyjacker is bout the only lift i can think of thats soft __________________ j dawg the 86 allmost done 357/700r4/lifted 9/dana44 front ten bolt rear/3.73 gears/35s

11-22-2002, 11:10 PM	#4
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	My Skyjacker Softride rides better than stock as well. __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women"

11-23-2002, 12:12 AM	#5
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,828	I'm using the Skyjacker Softride springs front and rear on my blazer and they give a very good ride, much better than stock. __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

11-27-2002, 09:40 PM	#6
sbrban Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 236	those of you that have the skyjacker set up what height is it? 4" ? what about driveshaft (or any other)vibrations after the install? __________________ you never have too many suburbans....

11-28-2002, 12:52 PM	#7
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	I've got a 4"...no vibrations. I had to have a new driveshaft built because I changed to 3/4 running gear (bigger u-joints) and a 700R4. __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women"

12-10-2002, 02:15 PM	#8
chris 71K5 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Dumont NJ Posts: 31	I know a few guys running BDS 4" front springs on 73-87 style trucks and they ride real good. For the rear, get some 87-91 K5 Blazer or Jimmy rear springs and do a shackle flip. Those springs have a softer rate and they also have teflon friction pads in between the individual leaves. With the shackle flip, they will bolt up if your truck was originally a 1/2 ton. Also, try Rancho RS9000s. You can adjust them to be soft or firm. __________________ 71 K5 w/ mods Click Here

12-11-2002, 05:54 AM	#9
stomper Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,701	I've got 6" skyjaker softride on my '86 3/4 ton. I would not describe it as stiff or harsh but it does get a little bouncy on some stretches of the highway and you don't want to hit speed bumps too fast or it'll rattle your teeth. Best thing I did was install the sway bar disconnect (either from coloradok5.com or offroadesign.com I forget) Your '71 probably doesn't have the sway bar but I highly recommend it. I drove this truck with swaybar disconnected, bolted thru stock location, and with disconnect kit and I wouldn't have it any other way. __________________ "I was patina when patina wasn't cool." 1973 Cheyenne SWB Sunset Gold / Frost White / Saddle

12-11-2002, 09:13 AM	#10
694X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: utica, oh, Posts: 249	I have a 6" sky jacker soft ride on my 72 3/4 ton frame but i have not driven it yet, waiting to get the body on around the first of the year. I have a friend with the 8" soft ride and he loves his. You will never get a solid axle leafspring truck to ride "smooth" but i think the soft ride does the best job make it not so harsh. __________________ 69 3/4 ton 4x4 gmc with 6" sky jacker soft ride. 350 / th350 / 205 work in progress

12-18-2002, 11:41 AM	#11
Bram Broke Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: West Plains,MO Posts: 385	I've got a 2 1/2" Skyjacker softride on my 72 3/4 ton 4x4 and it rides great! It actually rides better than my new 3/4-ton 4x4 GMC. I've defiantly got a good testing ground for it to, 3 1/2 miles of ruff dirt roads just to get home. __________________ 72CheyenneSuper1ton4x4BigBlock



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