i lifted my '79 C20... 3 in. fabtech springs and balljoint spacers. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

garage C20 · 05-05-2010, 10:22 PM

a while a go i was given a set of new in box fabtech HD 3 inch front springs. i held off installing them because they required the use of balljoint spacers... spacers that fabtech had not carried for over 4 years. so the search was on for spacers.... i found some online.. unfortunately the only place was Airbagit.com. so, i bit the bullit and ordered a set ... and ... they worked great. i did have to drill out the balljoint mounting holes a little bit to use the larger diameter bolts that came with the spacers (3/8 in). the hardest part was getting the old riveted ball joints out of the truck. i didn't take all that many pictures of the install but i did get a couple of measurements of before and after.... in total lift i got just over 3 1/4 inches with these springs over the stock 1979 C20 springs. i did notice that i will need a little bit longer front shocks as i had to compress the suspension a bit to get them to bolt back up. but that was before i had it back on the ground. i also noticed that there is more down travel when using the balljointspacers. i took it for a quick spin around the block at it rides fine... the alignment is way out so no more driving untill i get the alignment done.

i am running some smallish tires in the front but i have a set of 33 inch tires on 20 inch wheels that i ran on the truck for a little bit before removing them because they rubbed on the inner fenders. i know i can run them now without any rubbing.

measuring the front from the ground to the front fender opening...

measurement after the spring install......

over all shot..... now it needs to get an alignment... it has major toe in...

Matt Man · 05-06-2010, 12:38 PM

looks really good. i wish they just made a leveling kit for these trucks. do they still happen to sell springs and do they have balljoint spacers for a c30?

garage C20 · 05-06-2010, 02:52 PM

not sure where you could get fabtech springs but the balljoint spacers are at Airbagit.com . the C20 balljoint spacers should fit your C30. i think they sell lift springs and arms on there as well but i do not have any experience with them.

Prerunner1982 · 05-06-2010, 03:26 PM

Garage C20... truck looks good.

Matt Man: If you just want to bring the front up a set of 3/4" coil spring spacers should work. Will bring it up a couple of inches and should level it with the back.

My 82 C10 only had HD front coils (1ton or Diesel) and ran 32x11.50s all around with only minor rubbing on the front.

garage C20 · 05-13-2010, 03:53 PM

i got my 33's back on the truck.... plenty of clearance now with the lift on.... next on my to do list is a set of blocks to lift the rear and some longer shocks for the front. it rides firm but nice...

Prerunner1982 · 05-13-2010, 04:33 PM

Looks good!

thirdstreettito · 05-13-2010, 04:37 PM

Sweetness! Thats badarse!

3r!c84 · 05-13-2010, 04:50 PM

nice i like the rims! well the whole look of the truck! id lift of the back alitte tho

rmccloye · 11-08-2012, 08:49 PM

Hey. How much did those coil springs settle? That's if they settled. Thanks.

INSIDIOUS '86 · 11-08-2012, 11:00 PM

I'm assuming the top ball joint had to be spaced so the upper arm was not at such an angle and the ball joint did not bind?
Posted via Mobile Device

sir_talk_alot · 12-13-2012, 07:11 PM

have you got the blocks on the back yet? id like to see it complete

INSIDIOUS '86 · 12-13-2012, 09:15 PM

Could have just got qa1 or Howe balljoints and get bigger balljoints studs to go in. Not sure how reliable a spacer can be
Posted via Mobile Device

stersam · 09-20-2013, 12:31 AM

that thing is awesome. were you able to get the aliment back into shape?

05-05-2010, 10:22 PM	#1
garage C20 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 14	i lifted my '79 C20... 3 in. fabtech springs and balljoint spacers. a while a go i was given a set of new in box fabtech HD 3 inch front springs. i held off installing them because they required the use of balljoint spacers... spacers that fabtech had not carried for over 4 years. so the search was on for spacers.... i found some online.. unfortunately the only place was Airbagit.com. so, i bit the bullit and ordered a set ... and ... they worked great. i did have to drill out the balljoint mounting holes a little bit to use the larger diameter bolts that came with the spacers (3/8 in). the hardest part was getting the old riveted ball joints out of the truck. i didn't take all that many pictures of the install but i did get a couple of measurements of before and after.... in total lift i got just over 3 1/4 inches with these springs over the stock 1979 C20 springs. i did notice that i will need a little bit longer front shocks as i had to compress the suspension a bit to get them to bolt back up. but that was before i had it back on the ground. i also noticed that there is more down travel when using the balljointspacers. i took it for a quick spin around the block at it rides fine... the alignment is way out so no more driving untill i get the alignment done. i am running some smallish tires in the front but i have a set of 33 inch tires on 20 inch wheels that i ran on the truck for a little bit before removing them because they rubbed on the inner fenders. i know i can run them now without any rubbing. measuring the front from the ground to the front fender opening... measurement after the spring install...... over all shot..... now it needs to get an alignment... it has major toe in... __________________ '79 C20. Fabtech 3in lift springs in front flipped upper balljoints with spacers (rancho shocks), single 3 in. exhaust (Flowmaster) Edlebrock 1406 carb (600cfm), Edlebrock eps performer manfold, MSD 6a ignition, Empi euro headlight conversion w/Hella 90w/130w H4 bulbs, Hella 500's w/HIDs (all on relays), 20 wheels wrapped in 33in tires. soon: , 2in blocks and air bags in the rear, headers, dual exhaust, cam/lifters.

05-06-2010, 12:38 PM	#2
Matt Man Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Buhl, Idaho Posts: 1,438	Re: i lifted my '79 C20... 3 in. fabtech springs and balljoint spacers. looks really good. i wish they just made a leveling kit for these trucks. do they still happen to sell springs and do they have balljoint spacers for a c30? __________________ 86 c30 crew cab dually 454/400 4/6 drop SOLD 1-8-11 1981 chevy K10 short Bed Scottsdale SOLD 10-26-2020 67 GMC Stepside Straight six/3 on the tree "The Peach" 2020 Silverado Double Cab LT Z71 5.3 8 speed Daily Driver K10 build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=671934 The Peach build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=733903

05-06-2010, 02:52 PM	#3
garage C20 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 14	Re: i lifted my '79 C20... 3 in. fabtech springs and balljoint spacers. not sure where you could get fabtech springs but the balljoint spacers are at Airbagit.com . the C20 balljoint spacers should fit your C30. i think they sell lift springs and arms on there as well but i do not have any experience with them. __________________ '79 C20. Fabtech 3in lift springs in front flipped upper balljoints with spacers (rancho shocks), single 3 in. exhaust (Flowmaster) Edlebrock 1406 carb (600cfm), Edlebrock eps performer manfold, MSD 6a ignition, Empi euro headlight conversion w/Hella 90w/130w H4 bulbs, Hella 500's w/HIDs (all on relays), 20 wheels wrapped in 33in tires. soon: , 2in blocks and air bags in the rear, headers, dual exhaust, cam/lifters.

05-06-2010, 03:26 PM	#4
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	Re: i lifted my '79 C20... 3 in. fabtech springs and balljoint spacers. Garage C20... truck looks good. Matt Man: If you just want to bring the front up a set of 3/4" coil spring spacers should work. Will bring it up a couple of inches and should level it with the back. My 82 C10 only had HD front coils (1ton or Diesel) and ran 32x11.50s all around with only minor rubbing on the front. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

05-13-2010, 03:53 PM	#5
garage C20 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 14	Re: i lifted my '79 C20... 3 in. fabtech springs and balljoint spacers. i got my 33's back on the truck.... plenty of clearance now with the lift on.... next on my to do list is a set of blocks to lift the rear and some longer shocks for the front. it rides firm but nice... __________________ '79 C20. Fabtech 3in lift springs in front flipped upper balljoints with spacers (rancho shocks), single 3 in. exhaust (Flowmaster) Edlebrock 1406 carb (600cfm), Edlebrock eps performer manfold, MSD 6a ignition, Empi euro headlight conversion w/Hella 90w/130w H4 bulbs, Hella 500's w/HIDs (all on relays), 20 wheels wrapped in 33in tires. soon: , 2in blocks and air bags in the rear, headers, dual exhaust, cam/lifters.

05-13-2010, 04:33 PM	#6
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	Re: i lifted my '79 C20... 3 in. fabtech springs and balljoint spacers. Looks good! __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

05-13-2010, 04:37 PM	#7
thirdstreettito Resident of Here Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL, USA Posts: 7,716	Re: i lifted my '79 C20... 3 in. fabtech springs and balljoint spacers. Sweetness! Thats badarse! __________________ ~Bradley~ 2004 Black GTO LS2/T56 too much to list Miss having a truck

05-13-2010, 04:50 PM	#8
3r!c84 Badass Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: lox. fl Posts: 4,586	Re: i lifted my '79 C20... 3 in. fabtech springs and balljoint spacers. nice i like the rims! well the whole look of the truck! id lift of the back alitte tho __________________ Think outside the box? -84c10 (1stcar)→My Build← -00 Saturn 5spd drop a gear and disappear! 1/4:13:90

11-08-2012, 08:49 PM	#9
rmccloye Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 23	Re: i lifted my '79 C20... 3 in. fabtech springs and balljoint spacers. Hey. How much did those coil springs settle? That's if they settled. Thanks.

11-08-2012, 11:00 PM	#10
INSIDIOUS '86 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: washington Posts: 4,178	Re: i lifted my '79 C20... 3 in. fabtech springs and balljoint spacers. I'm assuming the top ball joint had to be spaced so the upper arm was not at such an angle and the ball joint did not bind? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac 3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217 Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511

12-13-2012, 07:11 PM	#11
sir_talk_alot Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Mayflower,AR Posts: 802	Re: i lifted my '79 C20... 3 in. fabtech springs and balljoint spacers. have you got the blocks on the back yet? id like to see it complete __________________ -Mike- '94 GMT 400 ext z71 3" body, 3 in rough country, hd mirrors, 20" motometals on 35s

12-13-2012, 09:15 PM	#12
INSIDIOUS '86 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: washington Posts: 4,178	Re: i lifted my '79 C20... 3 in. fabtech springs and balljoint spacers. Could have just got qa1 or Howe balljoints and get bigger balljoints studs to go in. Not sure how reliable a spacer can be Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac 3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217 Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511

09-20-2013, 12:31 AM	#13
stersam Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: aloha Posts: 44	Re: i lifted my '79 C20... 3 in. fabtech springs and balljoint spacers. that thing is awesome. were you able to get the aliment back into shape?



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