Questions about lifting my 1972 short box?

[donelan07]

I purchased a 1972 short box not to long ago and was planning on putting a 3 inch suspension lift kit in. Does anyone have a preference for a kit? What will I all need to know about putting a lift kit in? The frame is rusted out over the rear wheel on the drivers side so over christmas break I will have to disasemble the truck down to the frame and I thought it would be a good time to do the lift.

[msgross]

Lots of guys use the Rough Country ez ride kits...

http://www.roughcountry.com/chevy_69-72_4.html

or tuff country EZ ride

http://www.tuffcountry.com/suspensio...lift-kits.html

don't think anyone has 3" suspension, maybe 2 or 4"

[drbyrdman]

i would do Skyjacker springs and Bilstein shocks. It will ride like a Cady.

[Stocker]

Very happy with my 2.5" Skyjacker Softride front springs. They came with rear blocks but I never used them (I have rear add-a-leafs). Pretty sure they make 4-spring kits which should work great on a SWB.

[Mudder]

I like Tuff Country 4" and good Ranchos.

[Yukon Jack]

If you go with a 4" lift, get a raised steering arm to correct your steering.

I've been pleased with Tuff Country EZ Ride springs - had a set of 4" of them on my 69 K20 initially.

[hdflstf]

Tuff Country and Bilsteins - nice.

[donelan07]

Tuff Country 4" EZ Leaf Springs $234 x2 $468 JC Whitney
Rear Blisten F4-BE5-6248-H5 $73.28x2 $150 shock wharehouse
Front Blisten F4-BE5-6252-H5 $73.28x2 $150 shock wharehouse

$768 is that what I am looking for? What else would I need? Thanks

[Mudder]

Are the front spings the same price as the rears? Or are you going to use the blocks? You will need a raised steering arm.......about 50 bucks.

[donelan07]

http://www.jcwhitney.com/TUFF-COUNTR...8403_10614.jcw

Each spring is tapered, snub rolled and preset. Order the heavy-duty springs for tougher uses — will accommodate a winch and is much better for heavy towing. Teflon inserts, used on both types, help with ride characteristics and to reduce squeaking. Note: Sold individually but you must purchase 2 for both driver and passenger side installation.

I guess when I think of a lift kit I think leaf spring would beat blocks.

[Mudder]

For many years you couldn't find springs for the rear. You were pretty much left with using blocks or having spring rearched at some spring shop. I ran 4 inch blocks in the rear for years and never had a problem. Never consider blocks for the front. They will spit out when turning.

[msgross]

you might need new U-bolts pending the length and condition of yours

are your brake lines long enough as well?

[donelan07]

Is there a better place to buy Tuff country springs with Blisten Shocks? Thanks

[va_tlc]

you could check a few 4x4 magazines, most times in there ads they have some sorta deal going on, do yall think a higher priced shock improves ride quality? or does the spring determine the ride?

im not happy at all with the ride of my tuff country 4 inch, with whatever brand shock that came in the deal.
but i belive mudder suggested that it would(break) in as driven and honestly i didnt think that was possible, but after driving it awhile either im getting used to it or mudder was right, cause it does seem alil better.

[donelan07]

Do you think a Skyjacker or a Rouch Country would be a better ride than the Tuff Country?

[justcuz]

Not sure about the front springs but I would do a shackle flip in the rear. That way the pinion angle is better and you don't have the extra torque applied to the rear driveline from the blocks. DIY makes a shackle reversal bracket for less than 100.00 a pair.

[Yukon Jack]

Originally Posted by va_tlc

do yall think a higher priced shock improves ride quality? or does the spring determine the ride?

It's a combination of the two, but yes I think some higher quality shocks than the ones that came with the kit would make a noticeable improvement. I really like the Rancho RSX9000's I have on my 69 K20 - you can dial them in to your liking. Always hear good things about Bilsteins of course.

[va_tlc]

thanks yj, that does make sense the ones on the black truck are shot, so when i replace em i will get a better shock than i usally buy, if i didnt re place the steering arm on a 4 inch kit, what will this cause? bad steering? wheel wobble? thanks

[msgross]

Originally Posted by va_tlc

thanks yj, that does make sense the ones on the black truck are shot, so when i replace em i will get a better shock than i usally buy, if i didnt re place the steering arm on a 4 inch kit, what will this cause? bad steering? wheel wobble? thanks

you'll get "Bump Steer" if you don't replace the steering and/or pitman arm with big lifts.. Due to the extreme angle of the drag link your truck will steer one way or the other when the suspension flexes, or you hit a BUMP...hence BUMP STEER...

[donelan07]

Does this mean you get the 4 leaf springs for $560? Thanks for the help.

1969-1972 Pickup, Blazer, & Suburban - 1/2 & 3/4 Ton - EZ-Ride Lift Kits w/ 52" Rear Leaf Springs
http://www.truckaddons.com/Catalog/s...y-chevy_04.htm

[donelan07]

I have bilstein shocks and raised steering arm but my lift kit I ordered through truck addons was refunded. Where do I learn more about flipping the rear shackel. I am kind of looking at Rough Country with rear blocks they seem much cheaper than an other lift kit but I don't need the shocks that come with the kit.

[Mudder]

You should be able to buy the blocks by themselves if that is all you want. You need to call some of the places you are looking. I ran 4" blocks in the rear for many years and never had any problems with them.

[see ten]

Off road design makes the rear shackle flip. My brother runs one on his blazer.

http://offroaddesign.com/

[special-K]

Why don`t they list a 69-72 2 1/2" shackle flip?

[Joey~AP]

Use a set of front spring hangers.