73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe

[bucannon]

To read the original thread and discussion on this topic go here- LINK

i have finally gotten the time to install my lift spindles. they are 1988 - 1998 Chevy 4 inch lift spindles.

my reason for lifting is that i use my truck as a work truck. So i really could use the extra ride height and "long travel" with some big tires which will improve ride quality. I opted to keep the stock coil springs as they are not stiff springs and that will keep it smooth on the road.

the parts list so far is:

• 1973 - 1987 3/4 ton lower control arms (or just ball joints)
• 1988 - 1998 upper ball joints
• 1988 - 1998 outer tie rod ends
• 1988- 1998 rotors and calipers

so with all my parts here or on the way, i began





Just wanted to say i used Rock Auto to order all my parts because even with shipping, they are usually less than half the price Autozone/Advanced/Oreilly or other stores.

[bucannon]

here is the drivers side mocked up without the spring installed

[bucannon]

more pictures




here is the 88-98 upper ball joint. it fits right where the old one did luckily!







The Rock Auto lower control arm "dent" next to the shock mount wasnt as deep as the original so i had to get the air chisel out and modify it to allow the bolt to fit.

[bucannon]

I Made alot of progress on the passenger side today. but snce my internet is slow i cant upload very many of the pictures i took.


but i have the passenger side mocked up and il be putting the spring in tomorrow

i will also hopefully be getting some 1988 - 1998 rotors and calipers from the junkyard tomorrow too.

not sure if i will need brake line extensions yet but it looks like i might


here is a picture i managed to upload comparing the old lower ball joint to the new one. more pictures to come when my internet isint so slow!

[bucannon]

i have almost finished.

[bucannon]

got the wheels mounted using washers as wheel spacers haha

[N2TRUX]

I really like what you are doing here. For those of you that like what you see, there is a great article on this topic in our FAQ forum. Take a look at "73-87 2wd lift with 33x10.5x 18 Nittos"

[bucannon]

i gained about 5 inches of lift in the front.

i used 3 inch blocks and it sits nose up about 1 inch. looks cool kinda like a pre runner. the 2 off road lights i put on the front bumper help too.

[bucannon]

Hey yall, i went home for thanksgiving and took this picture of the whole truck with the lift installed. i have wheel spacers but they are not installed yet...


the front passenger side tire is a little flat so the truck is leaning. i plan to get a different rear end with 6 lugs and get some 35 inch tires and possibly paint my 17's gloss black.



more updates to come over x-mas break when i get 30 days off school and work!!

what do yall think?

[bucannon]

got my NEW tires [315/70/R17] Mastercraft A/T's

i got alot more work done over winter break, pictures on the way

[bucannon]

the tires mounted up front while the rear axle was swapped out to a wider 6 lug with a posi and 4.88 gears

[bucannon]

this shows the front suspension and steering complete and aligned.


the last picture shows my beat up posi unit. which has previously been damaged by a blown up gear set. but we cleaned it up and after a test drive discovered the pinion bearing was bad.....


so once new bearings go in it will be time to adjust the 700-r4 to get the tv cable and speedo gears correct.

[bucannon]

it still sits nose up (pre-runner style) but i will eventually put lift springs and extended shocks (currently running 3" blocks) to level it out.

it needs a pinion bearing and once that is replaced my dad will be able to use it as a work truck while im away at school and out at sea. until i come home with some cash and time to put more work into it.