Need advice on fender vs tire size

[WarpathEngineering]

When I bought my 78, the previous owner had lifted the truck by way of a rear axle block, flipping the front spring pack and clipped the front fenders to allow for larger tires which is odd since he sold me the truck with 31x10.50x16.5LT which would have been an equivalent for the factory 9.50 x 16.5LT. Anyway, the tires were shot so I bought a new set of Eagles and installed 285/75r16e Coopers.

I'm getting ready to start working on the body and picked up a set of fenders that aren't clipped. I'm also mulling over the idea of going back to steel wheels, probably from Wheel Vintiques. What are the odds that my new tires are too big to run under the new fenders? I think if I have to move down a size or two to allow for fender clearance, I'd just as soon take the lift out of it and go back to the standard height.

Any thoughts?

[sweetk30]

what the heck are you talking about flipping the front spring pack for lift ? ? ?

doing this would create so many problems and not even work .

pics of current suspension setup to get a better idea of what was done .

and i would do stock gm rims and dog dish center caps factory for the rims and the chevy bowtie or gmc logo .

3/4 ton should do 285 if no major offroad flexing .

pics tho to help get you what you want . and make sure the wheels are pointing stright ahead . not turned like current pics.

[WarpathEngineering]

Stock GM rims are the idea but using Wheel Vintiques 16 x 8 to use with my dog dishes.

As to my comment on flipping the spring pack, as I recall and I may be way off base here but, every K20 I can remember being under had either a near flat or a downward arch to the front spring pack. This truck has an upward arch that I can only assume accounts for the increased ride height in the front. If I decide to lower the truck back down to original ride height I would have to have the front springs reworked or replaced entirely. Perhaps it was a poor choice of words on my part by saying "flipping the spring pack".

[Desert_Eagle02]

Looks to be a standard lift kit. New lift springs in the front with a positive arch to give it lift. And a lift block for the rear axle. Looks like it was installed recently.

[mongocanfly]

Agreed...looks to be lift springs..not flipped springs on front...

[sweetk30]

o.k. now we good .

looks to be a 2-3" lift range kit . as said new front lift springs. and block kit in rear .

i think leave it alone looks real good now hight / tire size .

[Mattchu60]

I am running 285/75/16s with factory springs - no rubbing issues for me but it is close.

[chris989]

I am running 315/75s with a 2 inch lift. Just a very small trim on the fenders. Not even enough to touch the chrome trim. No rubbing but then nothing crazy off road.

[daddyjeep]

It may be just the pictures, but the front wheels do not look centered in the wheel opening. Is it possible that the springs were installed backwards? I am not sure if the front springs for these trucks are centered or not...just a thought.

[WarpathEngineering]

That's a good question & I hope someone chimes in. I bought the truck this way so I have no way of knowing other than going to a spring shop.

[mongocanfly]

measure and see if axle sits in the spring center..should be..spring 47" eye 2 eye...center bolt 23 1/2 from eye center

[WarpathEngineering]

I measured the front spring pack and it does measure 23 1/2" between center and each end. I looked as some of the trucks in the pic threads and some of trucks have the front wheels centered in the wheel well and some have the front wheels closer to the rear. I would guess that might be an indicator of different manufacturing plants. I had a 69 firebird once and the shifter hole in the hump looked like is was cut out with a torch and was made in California. A buddy had one that was made in Norwood, OH and it had a shifter hole that looked like it was stamped out. Hallmarks of different plants I guess.

[Desert_Eagle02]

Originally Posted by WarpathEngineering

I measured the front spring pack and it does measure 23 1/2" between center and each end. I looked as some of the trucks in the pic threads and some of trucks have the front wheels centered in the wheel well and some have the front wheels closer to the rear. I would guess that might be an indicator of different manufacturing plants. I had a 69 firebird once and the shifter hole in the hump looked like is was cut out with a torch and was made in California. A buddy had one that was made in Norwood, OH and it had a shifter hole that looked like it was stamped out. Hallmarks of different plants I guess.

Perhaps it's just the angle of the pic, and the wheel being turned a bit. How does it look from the side with the wheels straight? I have a '78 K25 and mine are centered in the wheel wells. I have not measured it to see if it is in the middle of the spring pack or not, but it looks to be. Not sure if it would be different from plant to plant, because I'd guess they'd all have to be at the same specs. Not to mention that it doesn't really matter since the springs were replaced with aftermarket and maybe the previous owner installed it themselves.

[kipps]

I have 305/70r16(exact same diameter as yours) mud terrain tires on 16x10's. They rub a little at full lock on flat ground. They're rubbing on the inner fender near the cab, though; not on the fender arch itself.

I used to have 33x12.5r16.5 tires(virtually the same size) with very little tread. These did not rub at all.

this is all with stock suspension on a '87 3/4 ton.

2" lift would be ideal with the this diameter tire, I think. Any more or less, and it won't look as good. Mine, at stock height, looks a bit squatty with that size tire. Yours has a perfect stance for the tire size.

Can you use cardboard to replicate the trimmed portion of the fenders? Do so, and drive around for a day, and see if you rip them off. If they stay put easily, you could consider replacing the fenders with stock ones.