Lift thoughts: brackets or springs?

[Tex_50613]

I also posted this in the 4x4 tech forum but it's something I need to do soon:
I have a 83 silverado 20 that I currently have 3" body and 4" suspention lift on and clear 39.5 Super Swamper tsl-sx tires, I have a set of 44" Gumbo Monster Mudders that I want to put on it...... I had been contemplating making lift brackets to drop the suspention away from the chassis and give me 4" more lift but still want the truck streetable what are your guy's thoughts???
here's a pic of the truck with the 44's on it with the current lift which bairley clears on level ground......



I mud and trail ride with the truck along with driving it to and from and most of the winter (I hate trailering it)

just wondering everyone's thoughts on it and if it can still be a decent ride after being done also I am not cutting the body anymore than I already have to clear the 38.5's with 7" of lift (notace the modified front fenders), I am slowly making this a nice truck that I will still play with and I Hate how they look with the body buchered all to hell to stuff big tires with hardly any lift.

and just so this is clear I run a fab shop so I know I can build what I need but want the best result when done and if custom brackets isn't the way to go I'll just buy new springs.

[ToughBowtieTruck]

Don't go lowering the mounting points of the springs on these. 1. it is not factory, and 2. it looks stupid.

Get new springs, as I am sure the originals are wearing out anyway.

On the rear, you could do a shackle flip, if not already done - that nets about 4 more inches in the back. In the front, new springs is the way to go.

With 40" tires already on it, it is past the decent ride stage IMO.

[Damien]

Originally Posted by ToughBowtieTruck

Don't go lowering the mounting points of the springs on these. 1. it is not factory, and 2. it looks stupid.

Get new springs, as I am sure the originals are wearing out anyway.

On the rear, you could do a shackle flip, if not already done - that nets about 4 more inches in the back. In the front, new springs is the way to go.

With 40" tires already on it, it is past the decent ride stage IMO.

I agree. If you put a larger lift spring in the back you are going to have a stiffer ride. that will leave the tires to absorb most of the shock to the suspension giving you a lot of spring and little damping that you normally would get from the shocks when the springs are softer.

[Tex_50613]

Originally Posted by ToughBowtieTruck

Don't go lowering the mounting points of the springs on these. 1. it is not factory, and 2. it looks stupid.

Get new springs, as I am sure the originals are wearing out anyway.

On the rear, you could do a shackle flip, if not already done - that nets about 4 more inches in the back. In the front, new springs is the way to go.

With 40" tires already on it, it is past the decent ride stage IMO.

it rides like a dream even with the shackel flip and custom 1 1/4 ton capisity rear springs, the fronts are 2 year old Tough Country EZ-ride 4" lift springs with the bushings replaced in all the spring ends last fall (didn't need them yet but I wanted greasables so I replased them ) if the springs or bushings were warn I wouldn't hesitate on new front springs, the rear will get 4" blocks and ladderbars, while the front would get the brackets if I do it that way

[74 C-30]

have you thought about putting 52" rear springs on the front? I bet you could make it look factory using stock brackets too.that alone should get you 4 inches of lift. then buy 4 inch rear lift springs and that will give you 8" up front and shackle flip the rear.