68 K20 ton lift? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Todersauce · 03-29-2010, 10:07 PM

I have a problem no one seems to make a lift for a 68 K20 but there seems to be a lot out there for a 69 and up. Is there any difference between a 68 and 69 suspension? I have a Dana 44 open knuckle disk break set up ready to go in and a power Steering setup but I cant find springs. Also I have a 327 in it now but I have a 454 on deck to install. I’m looking to tow and haul stuff with it on a regular basis it will be a work truck.
So can anyone recommend a spring set up that will work in a 68 K20 and work with the big block and won't kill my wallet?

Is there really no difference between a ½ ton spring and a ¾ ton spring?
Thanks!

onlyifihadachevy · 03-29-2010, 10:56 PM

You could get the 73-87 body style leafs, and move the front hangers up 1.5in. I don't think theirs a difference between the 68-69 because on my 69 it came with the closed knuckle drum brakes axle, I could be wrong.

vectorit · 04-01-2010, 12:26 PM

I feel your pain...

As far as I know, none of the big name suspension places make new springs for the 68 style leafs.

IIRC the 1968 springs are shorter in length than the more popular later ones.

I took my 68 K20 burb to a local spring shop, the type that does suspension rebuilds on big rigs. They took my original springs, re arched them and added two more leafs.

Not the route I prefer, but really I have nothing to complain about so far. I had em done about 11 years ago still going strong.

eric67m · 04-01-2010, 02:21 PM

I know that the rear springs are different on 67/68. They are wider at the eyes (3") narrowing to (2 1/2?) at the waistand the 69-72 are straight (2 1/2").

I thought that the fronts are the same widths for all 67-72. Correct me if I am wrong.

crazy87 · 04-01-2010, 02:23 PM

my 68 frame has 56" rear springs. My 72 truck has 52" rears. Both are k20's. I put a 4 inch lift on the 68 frame using the 69-72 kit with rear lift blocks and it worked just fine. The front springs are the same, I believe about 47". So if you wanted to use rear lift springs instead of blocks you could get a set of 56" rears that were standard in 73-87 suburbans(I think).

msgross · 04-01-2010, 10:15 PM

you could do a 4" rear shackle flip on the rear and keep the original springs... diy4x.com has some...

I do believe that fronts are the same...

03-29-2010, 10:07 PM	#1
Todersauce Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 34	68 K20 ton lift? I have a problem no one seems to make a lift for a 68 K20 but there seems to be a lot out there for a 69 and up. Is there any difference between a 68 and 69 suspension? I have a Dana 44 open knuckle disk break set up ready to go in and a power Steering setup but I cant find springs. Also I have a 327 in it now but I have a 454 on deck to install. I’m looking to tow and haul stuff with it on a regular basis it will be a work truck. So can anyone recommend a spring set up that will work in a 68 K20 and work with the big block and won't kill my wallet? Is there really no difference between a ½ ton spring and a ¾ ton spring? Thanks!

03-29-2010, 10:56 PM	#2
onlyifihadachevy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: seaside,ca Posts: 778	Re: 68 K20 ton lift? You could get the 73-87 body style leafs, and move the front hangers up 1.5in. I don't think theirs a difference between the 68-69 because on my 69 it came with the closed knuckle drum brakes axle, I could be wrong. __________________ 72 gmc 2500 2wd drive convert My 72 thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=346712 THe other truck, wheeler 69 1/2 4x4, yellow and rusty. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=350300

04-01-2010, 12:26 PM	#3
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: 68 K20 ton lift? I feel your pain... As far as I know, none of the big name suspension places make new springs for the 68 style leafs. IIRC the 1968 springs are shorter in length than the more popular later ones. I took my 68 K20 burb to a local spring shop, the type that does suspension rebuilds on big rigs. They took my original springs, re arched them and added two more leafs. Not the route I prefer, but really I have nothing to complain about so far. I had em done about 11 years ago still going strong. __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

04-01-2010, 02:21 PM	#4
eric67m Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 298	Re: 68 K20 ton lift? I know that the rear springs are different on 67/68. They are wider at the eyes (3") narrowing to (2 1/2?) at the waistand the 69-72 are straight (2 1/2"). I thought that the fronts are the same widths for all 67-72. Correct me if I am wrong. __________________ 67 K10, lwb, fleetside, 327, 4spd, 205, cab and 3/4 frame swap, 14 bolt, big window, and a "rustoleum roll job"

04-01-2010, 02:23 PM	#5
crazy87 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: michigan Posts: 3	Re: 68 K20 ton lift? my 68 frame has 56" rear springs. My 72 truck has 52" rears. Both are k20's. I put a 4 inch lift on the 68 frame using the 69-72 kit with rear lift blocks and it worked just fine. The front springs are the same, I believe about 47". So if you wanted to use rear lift springs instead of blocks you could get a set of 56" rears that were standard in 73-87 suburbans(I think).

04-01-2010, 10:15 PM	#6
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: 68 K20 ton lift? you could do a 4" rear shackle flip on the rear and keep the original springs... diy4x.com has some... I do believe that fronts are the same... __________________ 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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