8" lift requirements

[arcalderon]

Hi, Im new to the board. Sorry if this question was already addressed, i tried searching and found lots of information but still have a few questions.

I am about to buy a 71 c10 or c20, longbed 4wd and will tow it home and immediately put the skyjacker 8" suspension lift with dual steering stabilizers and put 37" toyo mts. i already have most of the parts-am just waiting for the truck (still deciding between two).

my question is:
do i need to buy longer driveshafts? of is there any way to reuse the old ones.
also---do i have to have them built? if so, what is the average cost? and can anyone suggest a place nearby? im in orange county, ca

Is re-grearing enough? or should i look into changing the front and rear axles?

if there are any tips for me i would appreciate them--i have lifted several trucks/jeeps--but never this one and i know there are tricks to everything.

and if anyone has pics of this setup----8" lift with 37's please post pics and or comments on clearance with full articulation.

[turp mcspray]

I would highly recomend crossover steering with 6" or more of lift.
With my 6" the front driveshaft was fine. I had to get a new rear one. A blazer has a lot less wheelbase, so I'm not sure how much it will affect your rear. Lengthen brake lines, E-brake cables maybe. My blazer uses an 8" spring in the rear and my cables work fine routed over the springs. Axles will depend on intended use. Hope this helps.

[arcalderon]

if i go with crossover steering--which seems pretty simple, will it have tight turning to one side but weak responses to the other?? does that make sense?

[turp mcspray]

No. It will cure a lot of problems. With the stock steering setup, (with a raised steering arm and a dropped pitman arm) when the left front tire is drooped down, my blazer would not turn left more than a couple of degrees. Crossover will also get rid of the "bumpsteer" when driving on the street.

[arcalderon]

you said you had to get a new rear driveshaft for your 6" lift. where did you get it? and if you dont mind me asking==what should i expect for a price tag?

[monte0185]

If you are going to run 37's then I would suggest that you swap out axles if your truck is 1/2 ton. Ive seen too many people put huge tires on half ton axles then wonder why there stuff is braking all the time and not to mention the safety factor. Ive seen 12bolt axles litterally come out of rear end turning a corner. As far as driveshafts I have to switch my front to the shaft with a cv type joint at the transfer case which is gonna make it a few inches longer which I need. The rear I havent measured yet. Most places that deal with driveshafts can lengthen or shorten your esisting ones a whole lot cheaper that guying new ones. ANyway Im doing pretty much the same thing on my build so check it out. I am running one ton axles.

[turp mcspray]

Originally Posted by arcalderon

you said you had to get a new rear driveshaft for your 6" lift. where did you get it? and if you dont mind me asking==what should i expect for a price tag?

I had it built by "Dennys" out of N.Y. IIRC. They advertise in the mags. I had them build it with a 1330 series cv joint in the front and a 1350 series in the rear. I think the driveshaft was about $250-$300. It's been quite few years so I'm not %100 sure on the price. The local shops only wanted to do the "standard stocker" type stuff. Thats all they do is custom driveshafts and their workmanship is top notch. It's also guarenteed against breakage. I bent it on a rock once and had a local shop retube it for me. I think that was like $100. If you want to save some $ money you can probably have yours retubed with your current ends.

[Chevy1TonFun]

I would shoot for the 3/4 truck you are looking at. Should come with an Dana 44HD front and a Eaton HO52 rear. You will need to lengthen both drivelines with that much lift. I would recommend Dave at High Angle Drivelines. Crossover is the only way to go and make sure you also have a trac bar to keep your front axle in place. If not your crossover steering setup will shift your axle side to side and you'll lose turning radius.

[arcalderon]

Originally Posted by Ridin' High

I would shoot for the 3/4 truck you are looking at. Should come with an Dana 44HD front and a Eaton HO52 rear. You will need to lengthen both drivelines with that much lift. I would recommend Dave at High Angle Drivelines. Crossover is the only way to go and make sure you also have a trac bar to keep your front axle in place. If not your crossover steering setup will shift your axle side to side and you'll lose turning radius.

i didnt even think about a trac bar--although i never would've gone through the entire lift without realizing i should put one in. so thanks!

what size lift/tires do you have on your truck?

and i'm definitely going for the c20---just seems to make the most sense for me

[arcalderon]

Originally Posted by monte0185

Im doing pretty much the same thing on my build so check it out. I am running one ton axles.

yeah i was checking out your build a little earlier and its looking great. im jealous with the serp setup you'll have.

also jealous with all that room you have for donor frames and trucks...i only wish i could afford a place like that here.

you'll have to let us know how everything turns out---i'll post some pics of my project once i get everything rolling (you'll laugh at the size of my driveway)

[Chevy1TonFun]

No prob. Good luck with everything.
I have a 15" Custom Suspension Lift and 3" Body Lift on 39" IROKs

[BAD4X4]

Here is pics of my OL' Blue. 8" superlift spring lift with 37x13.0x17 toyo m/t's. The 8" are alot softer than a 6". You will have more flex. I have a 454 turbo 400 and Dana 60 up front with 1-ton full floating 14-bolt in rear. Thanx Dana

[monte0185]

I just wish I had a shop to work in that was nice and warm and out of the rain!! My driveway is really not all that big. Its actually one of the shorter ones on my road. The frames are going to scrap before too long if I dont sell them. Well the 2wd long one anyway. Its a great frame just dont have any need for it. the other 4wd one is junk. Thats a good idea about the track bar. I dont think ive ever seen anyone run one down here. Are you gonna run a body lift on yours. Oh and Ill be running crossover steering as well.

Originally Posted by arcalderon

yeah i was checking out your build a little earlier and its looking great. im jealous with the serp setup you'll have.

also jealous with all that room you have for donor frames and trucks...i only wish i could afford a place like that here.

you'll have to let us know how everything turns out---i'll post some pics of my project once i get everything rolling (you'll laugh at the size of my driveway)

[arcalderon]

Originally Posted by BAD4X4

Here is pics of my OL' Blue. 8" superlift spring lift with 37x13.0x17 toyo m/t's. The 8" are alot softer than a 6". You will have more flex. I have a 454 turbo 400 and Dana 60 up front with 1-ton full floating 14-bolt in rear. Thanx Dana

im loving OL' Blue....sur would come in handy all the time...but the lift and tires are just what im looking for in the front end.
thanks! it looks great

[arcalderon]

Originally Posted by monte0185

I just wish I had a shop to work in that was nice and warm and out of the rain!! My driveway is really not all that big. Its actually one of the shorter ones on my road. The frames are going to scrap before too long if I dont sell them. Well the 2wd long one anyway. Its a great frame just dont have any need for it. the other 4wd one is junk. Thats a good idea about the track bar. I dont think ive ever seen anyone run one down here. Are you gonna run a body lift on yours. Oh and Ill be running crossover steering as well.

dont we all....i have a decent size garage--but i have my 58 impala in there and thats in the middle of the build--so no chance im pulling that out for my truck.

as for the trac bar--im just going to build one---that way i can get exactly what i want and i know it'll fit.

i dont think i'll run a body lift...i put one on my last chevy truck (2004 2500HD) and i didn't like all the parts required--although the spacers are stonger than u need---i dont like the steering extensions and the bed supports.

but who knows---thats what i say now--and if 3 months down the road im looking for a little extra lift i might.

are you putting steps in yours? i was looking at the electric steps that hide away while they're not in use---although i dont mind hopping in...i need to find a way for my wife to comfortably get in.--how do you guys do it?

[monte0185]

Originally Posted by arcalderon

are you putting steps in yours? i was looking at the electric steps that hide away while they're not in use---although i dont mind hopping in...i need to find a way for my wife to comfortably get in.--how do you guys do it?

The Plan is for steps but Im not sure if I want to just buy the round tube ones or make me something a little more sturdier.
The wife might get in it someday so I gotta make it to where she can actually climb in. I was going to run mine all the way from the front wheel well to the rear one that way I have some stepping spaces to work on something in the front and a place to step to get up to the bed from the side which is the reason for also making my own. I figure some 2x2 square tubing and some bracing should do it and protect the side of my cab as well.

[arcalderon]

Wanted to give an update...i didnt buy either truck--but instead found out my uncle still had my grandpas truck---70 c10. and its just sitting in the driveway---so im going to go pick it up after thanskgiving and restore that one instead.... sentimental reasons--otherwise i would get the 3/4 ton.

i'll post pics once i get it home

[Oilbrnr]

How do you put an 8" lift on the front of any 'C' series?

[84 400]

Originally Posted by Oilbrnr

How do you put an 8" lift on the front of any 'C' series?

They did not have "K" series untill 1973 I think.

thats cool your going for a sentimental restore guessing it is a 2wd???

Nice a 1958 Impala one of my favorite cars..