Want to lift the 68... (Need planning help)

[chevypete396]

I still have space issues but I think I've decide to keep my 68 and get rid of some other stuff instead. Now that its not my primary vehicle anymore I want to get it lifted. Since it dosn't have to be on the road as my daily driver I can finally do some serious work to it and get this project back on track... Anyway.

I am leaning towards a 6 inch suspension lift with 35x12's so I can make better use of the 4.56 gears. I think of all the pic's I've seen I like that stance the best.

So hears my main question. Do either of the axles need to be turned to safely accommodate a 6 inch suspension lift? The transfer case lowered?

I know from past threads The rear springs have to be custom made. I think I have found a decent shop to make the springs and u-bolts for the rear axle. I am trying to steer clear of blocks or shackle flips.

I am also trying to get a softer riding ¾ ton truck through this (shouldn’t be that tough, the truck rides like a tank so it couldn’t get much worse) I guess soft ride front springs can be purchased through SkyJacker, are these smother riding springs or hype? I am not worried about sacrificing payloads but will they be ok to support a big block with out adversely affecting ride height.

I also read that a little steering work is needed like a special pitman arm? Who makes good ones? The truck in question is the 68 in the sig. It has power steering if that makes a difference. Is a pitman arm all that will be needed to safely correct the steering.

I want to do most of this myself but this will be my first attempt at lifting a truck so I am sure I will have a lot of questions. Thanks for any advise or help with this... Pete.

P.S. does anyone remember the link to the axle ratio -to- tire size -for- highway speed calculator? I still need to do some home work to see if 35’s will be big enough for those gears.

[JIMs70GMC]

Do you have the original front axle? From your signature, maybe the front has been swapped also and if it has all you need is a new steering arm, but if you have the 68 front w/ closed knuckles that's a different steering arm. I still have my drums up front and w/ the 33s I've noticed a decrease is stopping so if you have the front 68 you might want to goto a newer (71+, 73+prefered) axle and kill 3 birds w/ one stone(bigger u-joints, disc, steering arm).

[chevypete396]

Yea I got a 14 bolt in the rear but up front I still got the original 68 closed knuckle setup.

I want to replace the front end before the lift. I plan on scouting the junkyards this week but I am not exactly sure what to look for though?

Which 3/4 ton GM front ends newer than 73 will work? Are any available with a more common lug pattern? I really want to ditch the closed knuckle I know that much but I also want something I can use my 4.56 gear set in and get a more common lug configuration at the same time if its possible. I am not sure the lug configurations available on ¾ tons through newer years let alone which newer year front ends will work with my gear set and springs… I guess I'm looking to kill 6 birds with one stone. Is that possible?... Thanks for the help so far... Pete.

[JIMs70GMC]

I believe the dana 44 was available until 1977 and later in GMCs all 3/4 tons will be the 8 on 6" pattern. From the catalogs and sites I've visited your gears should work in any of those dana44s. Heck, you might even be able to find a 3/4 ton dana44 w/ 4.56 gears. All the chevy fronts are interchangeable from one to the other. Do you have power brakes? I understand that with disc up front that's more desirable. You could also swap in a 3/4 ton GM 10 bolt axle but you will not be able to use your gears.

[1969 GMC]

I know in 71-72 they started to use front discs in 2wd Chevies/GMCs, did they also start to use disc braked open knuckle dana 44's? If so, that'd be a straightforward and easy swap.

[chevypete396]

Thanks, yea sounds like I will try to go for a open knuckle disc front 44. I have power breaks but I think you have to swap master cylinders and proportional valves if you switch to discs up front so I will try to score those off the donor vehicle as well... Pete.

[JIMs70GMC]

As far as open knuckle axles availability, it seems some late 69s had them and all 70s w/ drums, in 1971 they were all discs.

[jerry moss]

i know where one is sitting near merced, ca. under a 73 chevy 3/4 ton 4x4. i'm sure it could be had pretty reasonable. not sure of the condition or anything else about it. my nephew lives near there and i ran the numbers off the housings for him--he was looking for a 3.73 set up for his 76 suburban 4x4. i can have him check on it for you if you're interested in a little road trip.

[chevypete396]

hmmm, How close is Merced to Navado Ca. (or Santa Rosa)?

Also, I am still trying to figure out if the axles need to be turned for a 6 inch suspension lift? If the transfer case needs to be lowered? Anyone?

Thanks… Pete.

[jerry moss]

Pete,
merced is in the central valley south of santa rosa by a bunch. you would be better off to catch hwy 99 in sacramento and head south from there-- 2-3 hours depending on how fast you drive.
i run a 6 inch skyjacker on one of my 3/4 ton 4x4s with no driveshaft probs other than lengthening them. my only real problem was getting the steering geometry correct, i ended up using a rancho 4 inch arm and a superlift 2 inch draglink to get the steering box centered. i didn't have to lower the t-case or rotate the axles.

[chevypete396]

Jerry that’s a little far for me at the moment... I am going to look around town a little more but thanks a bunch.

Thanks for the other help too. Are you happy with that 6 inch Skyjacker lift?... Pete.

[jerry moss]

Pete,
it rides a little stiff but not too bad. it is the softride version, also.

[chevypete396]

Stiffer than stock? I sure hope not that would be a little disapointing. I been in newer lifted 3/4 ton trucks (76 w/ 6inches) that rode much better than mine stock...

Thanks... Pete.

[jerry moss]

mine rides stiffer than stock