Cant decide on lift height

[Gator70]

Im needin to put a lift in my 70 K15 and I cant decide on how much to lift it. It needs new springs so I figured this would kill two birds etc...

I dont want a monster but something that will look tough.
Im considering a superlift 2.5" or 4".
Can you guys post some pics of your lifts so I can get some ideas. I dont think that I'll go any bigger than 33" tires, probably stay with 31's. Im actually running 16" wheels from my 98 on it with the standard Z71 size of 265/75R16.

Any help would be fantastic

Thanks.
Gator

[Gator70]

Guess I should have put some more info in. Any problems driveline angles etc with 4" would I be wasting money on a 2.5" when I should have gone 4. Brakeline extensions, steering stabilizer add-ons ????

[vtblazer]

You can run 33's with a 2" lift very comfortably but I like 33's with a 4" lift myself.
All these trucks should have steering stabalizer's on them, they did from the factory.
With a 4" you'll want a dropped arm and a longer drive shaft's and of course will need longer shocks.
Someone will get on and tell you, "it all depends on what your doing with it" and that's a fair question. What are you expecting?

[vtblazer]

My 70 has a 2" lift on it.
Here it's sitting next to the blazer that has a 4" spring lift.

[JIMs70GMC]

Look at the pics in the link in my signature.

[Mudder]

Myself, if youre gonna go to all the trouble to put a lift kit on you may as well go with a 4 inch. A raised steering arm. Re adjust you brake lines and maybe lower your TC, you'll be good to go.

[4x4Poet]

By chance, can you post a pic of your rig? Either lift should have extended brake hoses. I'm about to put extended SS braided hoses on my K10 because the orig rubber hoses need replacement and I figured the next owner would appreciate the longer hoses in case he wants to lift it. Mine looked like they could give out any moment. One had a chunk of outer sheath missing. So the hoses dilapidated condition was an excuse to put on longer SS hoses regardless of no lift yet. Steering stabilizers help slow down bump steer. Use a dropped pitman arm to match the chosen lift and you'll have less need for a stabilizer because the drag link will stay faily close to level.


vtblazer, nice rig and great stance.

[Yukon Jack]

The first pic you see here is my 69 with 4" of lift. All the pics have the same 35" tires on the truck.



Next is when I added a little more lift to about 6" of lift.



And here it is with about 10"

[see ten]

Originally Posted by 4x4Poet

By chance, can you post a pic of your rig? Either lift should have extended brake hoses. I'm about to put extended SS braided hoses on my K10 because the orig rubber hoses need replacement and I figured the next owner would appreciate the longer hoses in case he wants to lift it. Mine looked like they could give out any moment. One had a chunk of outer sheath missing. So the hoses dilapidated condition was an excuse to put on longer SS hoses regardless of no lift yet. Steering stabilizers help slow down bump steer. Use a dropped pitman arm to match the chosen lift and you'll have less need for a stabilizer because the drag link will stay faily close to level.


vtblazer, nice rig and great stance.

Have the man at the parts counter pull you out a brake line for a 2wd pickup of the same year. They are much longer than the 4wd lines and can be bought for cheap!

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by vtblazer

Someone will get on and tell you, "it all depends on what your doing with it" and that's a fair question. What are you expecting?

Exactly! Personally, I prefer just enough lift to fit the tires you will be running. For 33s, that means 2" - 2.5". That's the combo I have had for several years, and the only thing I needed was longer shocks; I didn't change brake lines, pitman arm, driveshaft or anything else. In fact, the reason I put the Softride springs on was my original fronts were sagging.

4" kits are very popular though, so it really depends on your preference.

[4x4Poet]

Originally Posted by see ten

Have the man at the parts counter pull you out a brake line for a 2wd pickup of the same year. They are much longer than the 4wd lines and can be bought for cheap!

Great tip. Thanks. I'll keep it in mind. Unfortunately, I favor SS braided brake lines with teflon inners for stiff braking. Hurts my wallet every time.

[Gator70]

Thanks for the input guys. Ill try to muster up a pic of my truck. I basically just want the lift for a tougher stance. This truck will never see any serious off roading. It was purchased new by my Grandad in the fall of '69 and only has 58K miles. This will be my keeper truck.

[4x4Poet]

Originally Posted by Gator70

...I basically just want the lift for a tougher stance. This truck will never see any serious off roading....

Sounds like 2.5 inches for sure. Consider that a truck used primarily on the highway will get better mileage with less lift due to the lower stance that keeps wind blockage to a minimum. The lower the better for towing, too. And tires drive the lift height. No rough 4 wheeling means no need for big tires which means a mild lift will do.

[JIMs70GMC]

I have the p/n for longer brake lines I put on my 71. Got them from autozone, I'll post them when I find what I did with the packages. Dean has them also on both his 3/4 tons.

[bodazpa]

If your gonna take the time and take the truck apart, go with the 4in. I have 4 on my 71 with 33`s. The only thing I had to change is the drop steering arm, and shocks(but most kits come with shocks anyway). If your going with 33in tires your not gonna notice any less gas or performance with the 4 as comparede to the 2.5. Here is a pic of my 71 with 4 and 33`s....Good luck

[vtblazer]

Now there's your "tougher stance"
Nice truck bodazpa.

[bodazpa]

Thanks, hay vt did you ever do any thing with the shortbed 4by you bought...

[4x4Poet]

That is one fine truck, bodazpa!

And I say that not liking orange paint colors.

[Kurt L]

call skyjacker or rancho,trailblazer,i think that's it.i had a 75 blazer with 8'' of lift bought everything from skyjacker. my kit cost rite at $2,000 with everything.shocks springs,brake lines,steering stablizer,steering arm.they come with all your blocks,ubolts,
etc.

[RainFade]

I notice the common wisdom seems to be that with 4" of lift you MUST do the steering arm.
Years ago a buddy lifted his mid 70's 3/4 ton chevy 4" and installed the arm and the bump steer was flat out dangerous !
He took the drop arm back off re installed the stock arm and it handled great no bump steer.

With this in mind when I did my 4" I decided to test drive w/o the arm first (kit came with the arm) and what do you know no bump steer... am I a disaster waiting to happen ? lucky, or what ?

[Mudder]

I have a four inch raised and I can take my hands off the wheel going down straight highway. I've never had any problems with bump steer.

[Yukon Jack]

My 69 was without the dropped drag link for a few months and definitely needed it. Much nicer to drive with it.

[Gator70]

Bodazpa nailed it. That is a very nice ride. especially with the cowl hood. Im on the path to greatness now. I appreciate all of your guys' input. It helps when someone has done it before and knows the ins and outs of the task.

[bodazpa]

glad i could help.........good luck.....john

[griesel72]

Thanks bodazpa, i now have a new background for my computer.