The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1973 - 1987 Chevrolet & GMC Squarebody Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-27-2011, 11:35 PM   #1
324matt
Registered User
 
324matt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Prarietown IL
Posts: 118
need some help deciding on a 2" or 4" lift for 1987 k30 srw

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
324matt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2011, 12:06 AM   #2
Your41Plague12
Registered User
 
Your41Plague12's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 1,009
Re: need some help deciding on a 2" or 4" lift for 1987 k30 srw

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.
__________________
Steve
Member of the Foot Pedal Club
'83 Chevy K20: 6" Rough Country, 3" Performance Accessories BL,
Bushwacker Cutouts, 38x15.50 Mickey Thompson Baja Claws,
350 HP 350 crate engine from Jegs, Turbo 400
Your41Plague12 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2011, 12:11 AM   #3
324matt
Registered User
 
324matt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Prarietown IL
Posts: 118
Re: need some help deciding on a 2" or 4" lift for 1987 k30 srw

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 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2011, 12:12 AM   #4
324matt
Registered User
 
324matt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Prarietown IL
Posts: 118
Re: need some help deciding on a 2" or 4" lift for 1987 k30 srw

I will add pics when i get home. The samsung driod is giving me trouble uploading them.
Posted via Mobile Device
324matt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2011, 12:33 AM   #5
Your41Plague12
Registered User
 
Your41Plague12's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 1,009
Re: need some help deciding on a 2" or 4" lift for 1987 k30 srw

Quote:
Originally Posted by 324matt View Post
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.
__________________
Steve
Member of the Foot Pedal Club
'83 Chevy K20: 6" Rough Country, 3" Performance Accessories BL,
Bushwacker Cutouts, 38x15.50 Mickey Thompson Baja Claws,
350 HP 350 crate engine from Jegs, Turbo 400
Your41Plague12 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2011, 02:27 AM   #6
Heavy87Chevy
Registered User
 
Heavy87Chevy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Peterborough, Ontario
Posts: 54
Re: need some help deciding on a 2" or 4" lift for 1987 k30 srw

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.?

Heavy87Chevy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2011, 02:37 AM   #7
324matt
Registered User
 
324matt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Prarietown IL
Posts: 118
Re: need some help deciding on a 2" or 4" lift for 1987 k30 srw

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
324matt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2011, 01:58 PM   #8
Your41Plague12
Registered User
 
Your41Plague12's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 1,009
Re: need some help deciding on a 2" or 4" lift for 1987 k30 srw

Quote:
Originally Posted by Heavy87Chevy View Post
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.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 324matt View Post
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.
__________________
Steve
Member of the Foot Pedal Club
'83 Chevy K20: 6" Rough Country, 3" Performance Accessories BL,
Bushwacker Cutouts, 38x15.50 Mickey Thompson Baja Claws,
350 HP 350 crate engine from Jegs, Turbo 400
Your41Plague12 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2011, 03:03 PM   #9
Psycho71
Registered User
 
Psycho71's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kaufman, Tx
Posts: 827
Re: need some help deciding on a 2" or 4" lift for 1987 k30 srw

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.
__________________
You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.

If a hammer doesn't fix it, you have an electrical problem!



Slot Cars, 1:24 Scale, 100MPH@100,000RPM, fastest things on wheels!
Psycho71 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2011, 09:18 PM   #10
ghettoluxury
Registered User
 
ghettoluxury's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Waynesfield Ohio
Posts: 1,991
Re: need some help deciding on a 2" or 4" lift for 1987 k30 srw

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.

__________________

1949 Five Window, 1973 Step Side, 2000 Z71
ghettoluxury is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2011, 09:49 PM   #11
Got Smoke?
Registered User
 
Got Smoke?'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Bethpage TN
Posts: 42
Re: need some help deciding on a 2" or 4" lift for 1987 k30 srw

Quote:
Originally Posted by Your41Plague12 View Post
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!
__________________
97 Dodge 2500 12V NV4500... way to much to list.
79 Chevy K20 4" RC/37" GY OZ's 350/465/205.... restoration somewhere in the futue....
NEW: Project 88 Chevy R3500 3+3 / 88 V3500 3+3 combing two to make one....
Got Smoke? is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2011, 10:06 PM   #12
my4by2
Registered User
 
my4by2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Hot Springs, AR.
Posts: 1,215
Re: need some help deciding on a 2" or 4" lift for 1987 k30 srw

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.
__________________
1977 Chevrolet K30 LWB Crew Cab
497HP Mast Motorsports 6.0L LY6 HO engine
GM NV4500 5-speed, Centerforce clutch + NP205
D60 + 14-bolt FF w/ Eaton posi + disc brakes
Skyjacker 2.5" full spring lift w/ Nitro shocks
Custom paint + interior
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=435722
my4by2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2014, 10:05 AM   #13
Kinze
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Corn belt
Posts: 44
Re: need some help deciding on a 2" or 4" lift for 1987 k30 srw

Quote:
Originally Posted by my4by2 View Post
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?
Kinze is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2014, 06:41 PM   #14
y5mgisi
Second Chance Program
 
y5mgisi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 2,642
Re: need some help deciding on a 2" or 4" lift for 1987 k30 srw

I would do a 2"-2.5" myself. Dont have to change anything that way.
__________________
90 Chevy Suburban 2500 5.3 swap/th400/np241/14bltSF/10blt.
77 C20 crew cab Silverado. 396/th400. In work.
y5mgisi is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
454, k30, leaf, lift, srw


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:42 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com