Raising 79 1 Ton Front - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Fraser Beatty · 11-17-2007, 03:36 PM

Just wondering if it is possible or advisable to raise the front of my 1979 1 ton GMC single-rear-wheel Camper Special about 2" so that the truck sits level? If this can be done, what parts do I need, and how do I go about doing it? Thanks.

Fraser Beatty · 11-17-2007, 03:39 PM

Forgot to mention it is a 2WD, if that helps.

Fraser Beatty · 11-18-2007, 06:21 PM

Anybody????

pooz911 · 11-19-2007, 03:16 AM

Do you have a Big block or small block??? If you have a small block, you can install big block springs in the front to raise the truck. If you have a big block, you may have to install a spring spacer.

LONGHAIR · 11-19-2007, 09:42 AM

Raising the front of a 2 wheel drive truck is not as easy as it sounds like it should be. Ride quality does down hill quickly. You can use taller and/or stiffer springs to gain 2", or a spacer as suggested, but you lose downward wheel travel (droop). This results in a harsh ride from limited travel, the springs themselves, or both. Sometimes you can get upper ball-joint spacers to get your droop back, but I don't know if you can for a 1ton truck?

I would look into dropping the back....far easier.

Fraser Beatty · 11-19-2007, 03:25 PM

Thanks for your suggestions guys. The truck originally had a 454, but it now has a 350.

pooz911 · 11-19-2007, 11:50 PM

If the truck is originally a 1 ton and had a big block in it, the springs should be 1 ton also, unless the springs have sagged over the years. Your suspension should be topped out right now if you have a 350 installed. I have rancho springs, which are equal to 1 ton springs, removed the stock bump stops, added a ball joint spacer and limiting straps. click on my cardomain link, I have pictures on there.

If you can snap some pictures for us to view, I'm interested on seeing how the truck is set up.

Fraser Beatty · 11-20-2007, 10:44 AM

Okay I will try and get a couple pics of the front suspension...

Fraser Beatty · 12-09-2007, 07:25 PM

Okay it took a while, but here are a couple of pics of the front suspension...any more suggestions or input on how I could raise it about 2 inches so the truck will sit level? Is this a good idea or am I

?

pooz911 · 12-09-2007, 09:48 PM

This is how my front suspension looks with rancho springs and the ball joint spacers and I have a small block.

I will have to look at my dads truck and see what his suspension looks like. He has a 1972 with a big block and his front end sits lower than mine.

a 1 inch spacer under the spring may do the trick and level the truck out. You will lose much of your rebound because the truck will sit about 1/2 inch from the stock upper bump stop.

11-17-2007, 03:36 PM	#1
Fraser Beatty Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sarnia, Ontario Posts: 571	Raising 79 1 Ton Front Just wondering if it is possible or advisable to raise the front of my 1979 1 ton GMC single-rear-wheel Camper Special about 2" so that the truck sits level? If this can be done, what parts do I need, and how do I go about doing it? Thanks.

11-17-2007, 03:39 PM	#2
Fraser Beatty Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sarnia, Ontario Posts: 571	Re: Raising 79 1 Ton Front Forgot to mention it is a 2WD, if that helps.

11-18-2007, 06:21 PM	#3
Fraser Beatty Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sarnia, Ontario Posts: 571	Re: Raising 79 1 Ton Front Anybody????

11-19-2007, 03:16 AM	#4
pooz911 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Simi Valley Posts: 145	Re: Raising 79 1 Ton Front Do you have a Big block or small block??? If you have a small block, you can install big block springs in the front to raise the truck. If you have a big block, you may have to install a spring spacer. __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/pooz911

11-19-2007, 09:42 AM	#5
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	Re: Raising 79 1 Ton Front Raising the front of a 2 wheel drive truck is not as easy as it sounds like it should be. Ride quality does down hill quickly. You can use taller and/or stiffer springs to gain 2", or a spacer as suggested, but you lose downward wheel travel (droop). This results in a harsh ride from limited travel, the springs themselves, or both. Sometimes you can get upper ball-joint spacers to get your droop back, but I don't know if you can for a 1ton truck? I would look into dropping the back....far easier.

11-19-2007, 03:25 PM	#6
Fraser Beatty Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sarnia, Ontario Posts: 571	Re: Raising 79 1 Ton Front Thanks for your suggestions guys. The truck originally had a 454, but it now has a 350.

11-19-2007, 11:50 PM	#7
pooz911 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Simi Valley Posts: 145	Re: Raising 79 1 Ton Front If the truck is originally a 1 ton and had a big block in it, the springs should be 1 ton also, unless the springs have sagged over the years. Your suspension should be topped out right now if you have a 350 installed. I have rancho springs, which are equal to 1 ton springs, removed the stock bump stops, added a ball joint spacer and limiting straps. click on my cardomain link, I have pictures on there. If you can snap some pictures for us to view, I'm interested on seeing how the truck is set up. __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/pooz911 Last edited by pooz911; 11-19-2007 at 11:52 PM.

11-20-2007, 10:44 AM	#8
Fraser Beatty Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sarnia, Ontario Posts: 571	Re: Raising 79 1 Ton Front Okay I will try and get a couple pics of the front suspension... Last edited by Fraser Beatty; 12-09-2007 at 06:37 PM.

12-09-2007, 07:25 PM	#9
Fraser Beatty Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sarnia, Ontario Posts: 571	Re: Raising 79 1 Ton Front Okay it took a while, but here are a couple of pics of the front suspension...any more suggestions or input on how I could raise it about 2 inches so the truck will sit level? Is this a good idea or am I ? Attached Images

12-09-2007, 09:48 PM	#10
pooz911 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Simi Valley Posts: 145	Re: Raising 79 1 Ton Front This is how my front suspension looks with rancho springs and the ball joint spacers and I have a small block. I will have to look at my dads truck and see what his suspension looks like. He has a 1972 with a big block and his front end sits lower than mine. a 1 inch spacer under the spring may do the trick and level the truck out. You will lose much of your rebound because the truck will sit about 1/2 inch from the stock upper bump stop. __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/pooz911 Last edited by pooz911; 12-09-2007 at 09:48 PM.



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