lifting just the front - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

CG · 01-20-2008, 12:12 PM

I would like the front of my 71 3/4 ton to sit about 2.5 inches higher. Is the only way to do this on a 4x4 via new front springs? I thought I read somewhere here you shouldn't use blocks on the front of 4x4's.

1969k10stepside · 01-20-2008, 01:01 PM

Blocks shouldn't be used on the front.You can install a "add-a-leaf" on the front springs which is good for 2" of lift.Fairly cheap but the springs have to be removed and then new bushings will likely be needed and the spring pack has to come apart to have the new leaf installed.Also having the stock springs re-arched can gain some lift too.Add a leafs are $50-$100.The add a leafs work on stock springs but it worked on my 4" lift springs too,but it only added about an inch on them.For a little more than the add a leafs or having the springs re-arched you could probably get 2" lift springs somewhere...

dinotruck68 · 01-20-2008, 01:05 PM

Yea i keep hearin blocks up front arent good for safety.. u should check out www.offroaddisign.com they hav sum good lift springs as well as many other products.

CG · 01-20-2008, 02:06 PM

Thanks guys. I have a set of 4inch lift springs, but thats more than I want to go. Ill just look into getting a new set for the front.

mothertrucker424 · 01-20-2008, 09:33 PM

you could try 0 rate add a leaf blocks

they are safe since they bolt to your reauglar pack and don.t add stiff ness

i plan to do these and a add a leaf to my 72 with 4" lift so far i am hoping for 7-7 1/2"total

p.s.-i only hear good things about these block/leafs from off road design

**special-K** · 01-20-2008, 10:00 PM

Hit a spring shop.I had one level up my`90 Blazer that was nose-down.I just told them I wanted it level,about an inch.I think it took more like 2".They just re-arch the leafs (which rejuvenates them) and add a leaf.You could just buy an add-a-leaf kit cheaper.But,you don`t gain anything from the old springs.I think an add-a-leaf stiffens the ride alot more.

msgross · 01-21-2008, 03:18 AM

They make longer add-a-leafs that are said to be a better ride. The short add-a-leaf added 1.5" to me year and made it stiffer. Check out the Rancho website for parts numbers... summit has them for a good price.

**special-K** · 01-21-2008, 06:32 AM

That`s what spring shops do.Their leaf will be full length.

CG · 01-25-2008, 02:06 AM

I talked to a spring shop in Seattle. They said they can re-arch and add a leaf for 120 bucks per side. I just drop off the springs anytime and they take a couple of days to get it done. Do this sound like a good way to go cost wise?

msgross · 01-25-2008, 01:34 PM

well your gonna pay 80+ for just the add-a-leaf so $240 isn't bad. Bout the cost of new springs I bet. I wouldn't do blocks in the front..

Don't forget that you might need new U-bolts $50 if yours dont have extra threads....

bad_turbo · 01-25-2008, 02:05 PM

**Yukon Jack** · 01-26-2008, 01:15 AM

I'd compare the price of a 2" set of front springs. www.offroaddesign.com sold my buddy a pair of 2" EZ Ride Tuff Country springs a few years ago when he needed to level out his 1 ton.

Does their re-arch price include new bushings?

Probably best to go with new u-bolts either way.

earl87gta · 01-26-2008, 01:25 AM

that doesnt sound bad to me if I was going with helper springs it would be these and with shipping your a little over haff that. http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

msgross · 01-26-2008, 08:27 AM

These are a little cheaper... if they are the right size

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

earl87gta · 01-26-2008, 08:32 AM

he has a 72 so it should have the 3in w springs in the front if there stock springs.

f16crewdawg · 01-26-2008, 10:33 AM

never use lift block in the front they can slide out and f-up your world in a hury i would say new springs or add-a-leaf

vtblazer · 01-26-2008, 08:23 PM

All valid options but IMO, go with some new 2" lift springs and be done with it.

Zero rate will give you an inch.
Add a leafs will add around two inches but basically act like overload springs, hence the rougher ride.
Re-arching old saggy spring packs never made any sense to me, they sag cause their tired, it's only a band aid for the issue.

msgross · 01-26-2008, 10:00 PM

plus new springs = new bushings... and greasable bolts from ORD would be a nice addition...

01-20-2008, 12:12 PM	#1
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 19,815	lifting just the front I would like the front of my 71 3/4 ton to sit about 2.5 inches higher. Is the only way to do this on a 4x4 via new front springs? I thought I read somewhere here you shouldn't use blocks on the front of 4x4's. Last edited by CG; 01-26-2008 at 11:27 AM. Reason: Cause Im a moron...its a 71 not a 72

01-20-2008, 01:01 PM	#2
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,020	Re: lifting just the front Blocks shouldn't be used on the front.You can install a "add-a-leaf" on the front springs which is good for 2" of lift.Fairly cheap but the springs have to be removed and then new bushings will likely be needed and the spring pack has to come apart to have the new leaf installed.Also having the stock springs re-arched can gain some lift too.Add a leafs are $50-$100.The add a leafs work on stock springs but it worked on my 4" lift springs too,but it only added about an inch on them.For a little more than the add a leafs or having the springs re-arched you could probably get 2" lift springs somewhere... Last edited by 1969k10stepside; 01-20-2008 at 01:14 PM.

01-20-2008, 01:05 PM	#3
dinotruck68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Alamo Posts: 104	Re: lifting just the front Yea i keep hearin blocks up front arent good for safety.. u should check out www.offroaddisign.com they hav sum good lift springs as well as many other products. __________________

01-20-2008, 02:06 PM	#4
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 19,815	Re: lifting just the front Thanks guys. I have a set of 4inch lift springs, but thats more than I want to go. Ill just look into getting a new set for the front.

01-20-2008, 09:33 PM	#5
mothertrucker424 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: st pete Posts: 404	Re: lifting just the front you could try 0 rate add a leaf blocks they are safe since they bolt to your reauglar pack and don.t add stiff ness i plan to do these and a add a leaf to my 72 with 4" lift so far i am hoping for 7-7 1/2"total p.s.-i only hear good things about these block/leafs from off road design __________________ _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- 1972 K10 4"lift 33"tires (soon to be bigger and better) 2000 silverado 1500 2wd 2"coil spacers3" BL 285/75/16's

01-20-2008, 10:00 PM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: lifting just the front Hit a spring shop.I had one level up my`90 Blazer that was nose-down.I just told them I wanted it level,about an inch.I think it took more like 2".They just re-arch the leafs (which rejuvenates them) and add a leaf.You could just buy an add-a-leaf kit cheaper.But,you don`t gain anything from the old springs.I think an add-a-leaf stiffens the ride alot more. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-21-2008, 03:18 AM	#7
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: lifting just the front They make longer add-a-leafs that are said to be a better ride. The short add-a-leaf added 1.5" to me year and made it stiffer. Check out the Rancho website for parts numbers... summit has them for a good price. __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

01-21-2008, 06:32 AM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: lifting just the front That`s what spring shops do.Their leaf will be full length. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-25-2008, 02:06 AM	#9
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 19,815	Re: lifting just the front I talked to a spring shop in Seattle. They said they can re-arch and add a leaf for 120 bucks per side. I just drop off the springs anytime and they take a couple of days to get it done. Do this sound like a good way to go cost wise?

01-25-2008, 01:34 PM	#10
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: lifting just the front well your gonna pay 80+ for just the add-a-leaf so $240 isn't bad. Bout the cost of new springs I bet. I wouldn't do blocks in the front.. Don't forget that you might need new U-bolts $50 if yours dont have extra threads.... __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer" Last edited by msgross; 01-25-2008 at 01:35 PM.

01-25-2008, 02:05 PM	#11
bad_turbo turbo enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: carmichael, ca. Posts: 1,826	Re: lifting just the front __________________ "But daddy, I didn't hit them all with a stick"...what my 6 year old tells me when I pick him up from school early for fighting "

01-26-2008, 01:15 AM	#12
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,683	Re: lifting just the front I'd compare the price of a 2" set of front springs. www.offroaddesign.com sold my buddy a pair of 2" EZ Ride Tuff Country springs a few years ago when he needed to level out his 1 ton. Does their re-arch price include new bushings? Probably best to go with new u-bolts either way. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

01-26-2008, 01:25 AM	#13
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	Re: lifting just the front that doesnt sound bad to me if I was going with helper springs it would be these and with shipping your a little over haff that. http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb

01-26-2008, 08:27 AM	#14
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: lifting just the front These are a little cheaper... if they are the right size http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

01-26-2008, 08:32 AM	#15
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	Re: lifting just the front he has a 72 so it should have the 3in w springs in the front if there stock springs. __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb



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01-26-2008, 10:33 AM	#16
f16crewdawg Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Aviano Italy Posts: 3	Re: lifting just the front never use lift block in the front they can slide out and f-up your world in a hury i would say new springs or add-a-leaf

01-26-2008, 08:23 PM	#17
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	Re: lifting just the front All valid options but IMO, go with some new 2" lift springs and be done with it. Zero rate will give you an inch. Add a leafs will add around two inches but basically act like overload springs, hence the rougher ride. Re-arching old saggy spring packs never made any sense to me, they sag cause their tired, it's only a band aid for the issue.

01-26-2008, 10:00 PM	#18
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: lifting just the front plus new springs = new bushings... and greasable bolts from ORD would be a nice addition... __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

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