Lift? trailing arms

[1968CHEVYC10]

what's the most common way to add some lift to your truck? with trailing arms, is there a way lift blocks could be used?

[capev86]

most of the time its the 4x4 guys doing lift kits (easier) and the 2wd guys all slam them. i like a stock 2wd....low enough to handle decent but still have enough ground clearance to do minor off road driving. my dad put 3/4 ton coils on the back of his 72 burb and it gave it a nice rake and never sagged with the trailer hitched up after that. i want to put the 3/4 HD option coils on the back of my 3/4 ton burb but not so much for the rake (it has a decent rake already) but so i can tow the largest trailers and not get rear end sag. i suggest you look into some aftermarket spring manufactures if you have a 3/4 ton or want more than a little lift.

[special-K]

Blocks lower with a coil rear.If you just need an inch or two you could buy new 3/4t coils.There are 1/2 arse ways by inserting spacers between coils...boo! And,there`s air bags to fit inside the coils.You can air them up to give 1500# more hauling and it raises the rear.

[2tons of fun]

cut the perches off and flip the axle to under the arm, reweld perchs, 5-6" minimum

[1968CHEVYC10]

Originally Posted by 2tons of fun

cut the perches off and flip the axle to under the arm, reweld perchs, 5-6" minimum

yeah I've thought about doing that, only it would have a pretty intense rake , which I kinda want some but not that much. I would just need to raise the front somehow, any thoughts?

[1968CHEVYC10]

Originally Posted by special-K

Blocks lower with a coil rear.If you just need an inch or two you could buy new 3/4t coils.There are 1/2 arse ways by inserting spacers between coils...boo! And,there`s air bags to fit inside the coils.You can air them up to give 1500# more hauling and it raises the rear.

is there a way to add something in the front? I kinda like what 2tons said about putting the axle under the trailing arms, just need something up front.

[2tons of fun]

yeah, a front axle and leaf springs.

[1968CHEVYC10]

oh I forgot to mention its 2wd

[2tons of fun]

we know

[special-K]

I figured you had a 2wd.That`s why I din`t mention flipping the axle.There`s no way,without extreme fabrication,that you`ll be bringing that front end up to a reasonably level height with the rear.i`m not sure what your desired result is,but it would seem just getting a 4wd would be easier.If you are going for the pre-runner design you can expect to get into a big budget to come out with something respectable.

[mclairmo]

I have a 68 C10 and will be lifting the entire truck. I bought coil spring spacers off Ebay for the front and rear. The fronts are round cast aluminum "C" shaped things that fit under the springs to shim them up. I also plan to mount the upper ball joint under the upper arm and fab up some ball joint spacers to further lower the upper ball joint, thereby increasing suspension travel. For the rears I purchased solid round cast aluminum pucks with a small hole in them. They fit between the the springs and trailing arms. Use a longer bolt and you're done installing that bad boy. I may have to move the upper track arm mount or buy an adjustable one. I will then lift the body one inch with the one inch aluminum pucks that you can find online. One inch is a small enough amount of lift that not many modifications will have to be made. I have also seen guys use the 73 and up Fabtech upper and lower front arms to lift their 67-72 2wd front end even more. Unfortunately, Fabtech discontinued these parts. You would have to find them used. I did not want to switch to 3/4 ton springs for fear that the ride would be too stiff. I don't plan on towing, I just want added lift for larger tires.

[mclairmo]

See pics below. Mrliftkitusa on Ebay sells these.

[mclairmo]

Offroaddesign.com sells these one inch body spacers/pucks individually for $5.75 each. they are actually desinged for Blazers and 73 and up GM trucks.

[mclairmo]

Here's what ball joint spacers look like. I could not find any made for our trucks. I may have to fab them out of plate steel. I think 1.5 inches is the thickest others have gone.

[mclairmo]

This truck has longer Rancho springs in front with one inch ball joint spacers. Belongs to pooz911. I also read that 88-98 GM front end stuff may work, like lift spindles, brakes, etc.

[mclairmo]

Heres pic of the Fabtech arms that will work.

[1968CHEVYC10]

cool thanks for the pics, with just 1-2 inches in the front would you need to replace the tie rods? or would the adjustability on the stock tie rods be enough?

[63chevyll]

your only option is springs for a small lift,

i used 1 ton fronts with 3/4 rears for my 2wd

[special-K]

I figure if you can go down 3" then why not up 3" on the same tie rods.I`d think stock suspension is swet to be at the middle of travel.

[63chevyll]

when you go up three the upper control arm wants to hit the coil spring support (crossmember)

Its not a bad thing, but there is no droop

[mclairmo]

Originally Posted by 63chevyll

when you go up three the upper control arm wants to hit the coil spring support (crossmember)

Its not a bad thing, but there is no droop

Ball joint spacers will help to increase the "droop" (suspension travel) by lowering the ball joint in relation to the upper arm. Install a urethane low profile button style bump stop under the upper control arm to give you even more droop. May need to go with longer shocks, too. Stock tie rods should have enough slack in them to work.

[mclairmo]

Originally Posted by 63chevyll

your only option is springs for a small lift,

i used 1 ton fronts with 3/4 rears for my 2wd

I have heard that the 1 ton and 3/4 ton springs really give you a harsh stiff ride. Is that true on your truck?

[hayhauler71]

I have moog 1 ton springs in the front of my 1/2 ton rides very smooth not harsh at all.

[63chevyll]

Originally Posted by mclairmo

I have heard that the 1 ton and 3/4 ton springs really give you a harsh stiff ride. Is that true on your truck?

yes, but i plan on jumping it during off road races, so i guess ill have to deal with it

[2tons of fun]

if you are going to race this thing you nedd to 100% ditch all of the stock crap, you need long arms and long springs.

you need to go look at baja and sand sites.