need some help deciding on a 2" or 4" lift for 1987 k30 srw

[324matt]

I have aquired a 1987 chevy SRW 4x4, 454 400th np205 4.10 gears. The truck only has 74k original miles and is bone stock. It has 3 leafs in the front and 9 leafs in the rear. I want to lift the truck either 2" or 4" depending on what the pro's and cons are of each. I want to retain the factory gvw, yet at the same time put 18' or 20' wheels with proper backspacing on them to clear. Im also wanting to run a 33.5"-35" metric tire. Ive looked at a few suspension lifts, but would like the opinions of all of your expertise! Thanks for your opinions-advice
-Matt
Posted via Mobile Device

[Your41Plague12]

Easiest way to do this (and retain GVW) is add a block to the rear and get lift springs for the front. I suggest a 4" rear block and 4" springs up front with some 305/70/R18's. They're 34.8" tall and 12" wide. Run an 8" or 10" wide wheel (8" will be easier to stuff the tires without rubbing) with the proper backspacing and you should be good to go! Post some pics by the way, I love the SRW 1 tons.

[324matt]

Thanks! If i get new leafs, will i have to adjust the steering at all? Or make adjustments to the angle of the driveshafts? I plan on adding a gearvendor when i find someone local to professionally install it.
Posted via Mobile Device

[324matt]

I will add pics when i get home. The samsung driod is giving me trouble uploading them.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Your41Plague12]

Originally Posted by 324matt

Thanks! If i get new leafs, will i have to adjust the steering at all? Or make adjustments to the angle of the driveshafts? I plan on adding a gearvendor when i find someone local to professionally install it.
Posted via Mobile Device

With 4" springs, go with a raised steering arm. That will completely correct your steering issues, because it's raised 4". Also go with the sway bar lowering bracket, if you intend on keeping it. It's just a bracket that goes between your frame and sway bar that gives it somewhere to mount once the frame is 4" further from the axle. If you're handy, you can fabricate a pair with no problem. With regard to your driveshaft angle, 4" isn't too steep. The springs you order may or may not come with small shims, and the blocks you get will most likely be tapered. This should help. The driveshafts technically should be lengthened, but plenty of people (including myself) get away with even more lift without lengthening the driveshafts.

[Heavy87Chevy]

I bought my '87 v10 with the 4" skyjacker lift kit already installed, so I don't have much wisdom compared to 41Plague up there (PS guy, I've loved that orange truck since the day I joined this site) because I didn't install it, but I thought I'd throw up a pic to give you an idea, its on 33" tires & 15x8" rims. I saw your truck on squarebody.net on facebook, it looks like it probably sits a little than my 1/2 ton did before the lift. Is your '87 carb'd or F.I.?

[324matt]

Its throttle body injection, with a spacer underneath. It gets 8-10mpg, loaded or empty. I really dont care because the payment is ZERO/month vs. $600-$900/month and 18mpg..lol!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Your41Plague12]

Originally Posted by Heavy87Chevy

I bought my '87 v10 with the 4" skyjacker lift kit already installed, so I don't have much wisdom compared to 41Plague up there (PS guy, I've loved that orange truck since the day I joined this site) because I didn't install it, but I thought I'd throw up a pic to give you an idea, its on 33" tires & 15x8" rims. I saw your truck on squarebody.net on facebook, it looks like it probably sits a little than my 1/2 ton did before the lift. Is your '87 carb'd or F.I.?

Thanks! Yours sits just right in my opinion. I wish I wouldn't have gone as high.

Originally Posted by 324matt

Its throttle body injection, with a spacer underneath. It gets 8-10mpg, loaded or empty. I really dont care because the payment is ZERO/month vs. $600-$900/month and 18mpg..lol!
Posted via Mobile Device

I completely agree. With respect to lift kits, I will say do NOT buy rough country springs. I hit a small pothole at 10 mph on a dirt road this past weekend and ended up hitting my head on the steel roof of the truck. It feels as if my axles are welded to the frame, my only real suspension is the comfy old seat and the air in the tires.

[Psycho71]

Another thought on the rear lift......

Instead of doing a rear spring lift, or god-forsaken blocks in the rear, look into DIY4x's rear shackle flip kit. I put this set-up in my k20 burb and love it. Keeps the factory ride and helps out on the rear pinion angle issue because it relocates the rear of the leaf pack downward. You can also get their cross-tied shackles and get rid of the weaker factory shackles. The best part, no blocks!

I installed mine in about 4 hours, and have never regretted it.

[ghettoluxury]

Here is my k30 with 4inch lift. I did a shackle flip on the rear and leaf's in the front. It is sitting on 35×13.5 BFG Krawler ta's. The only thing it did to my steering was turned the wheel 1/4 way because I have not bought a spacer.

[Got Smoke?]

Originally Posted by Your41Plague12

Thanks! Yours sits just right in my opinion. I wish I wouldn't have gone as high.



I completely agree. With respect to lift kits, I will say do NOT buy rough country springs. I hit a small pothole at 10 mph on a dirt road this past weekend and ended up hitting my head on the steel roof of the truck. It feels as if my axles are welded to the frame, my only real suspension is the comfy old seat and the air in the tires.

I agree on both accounts, 41Plague nice truck.

Rough Country buckboard wagon riding junk!

[my4by2]

I have a 77 K30 & went with a 2.5" lift kit from Skyjacker with new leaf springs all the way around & am pretty happy with it. I'm only running 16" wheels & 33" tires though as that's all I wanted. If you're gonna run with 20's I might be more prone to lean towards the 4". Don't go with the cheaper route though & just use blocks - get a kit that has new leafs for the rear - there's plenty out there for the 1-ton trucks.

[Kinze]

Originally Posted by my4by2

I have a 77 K30 & went with a 2.5" lift kit from Skyjacker with new leaf springs all the way around & am pretty happy with it. I'm only running 16" wheels & 33" tires though as that's all I wanted. If you're gonna run with 20's I might be more prone to lean towards the 4". Don't go with the cheaper route though & just use blocks - get a kit that has new leafs for the rear - there's plenty out there for the 1-ton trucks.

Digging from the grave here I know but are there really any aftermarket rear springs that still have all the leaf packs and overloads like the factory 1ton?

[y5mgisi]

I would do a 2"-2.5" myself. Dont have to change anything that way.