How much lift do you guys think I have? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ericcasas · 08-13-2010, 01:20 AM

Hey guys. Building up my 1979 GMC K2500 project and the shocks on this truck are all kinds of messed up. I want to order a new set (four in the front, two steering stabilizers and two in the rear) but dont want to mess up the sizing. It looks like I have two inches of body lift and I'm not sure how much suspension lift. What do you guys think?

Thanks!!

-E

cableguy0 · 08-13-2010, 01:32 AM

Cant help with the lift. But you absolutely best move that fuel pump or nothing will matter after the fire. Your asking for a big problem with all that rubber line and the pump being exposed to anything flung off the tire. get that pump inside the frame rail or at least away from the front wheel and get some steel line in place of that rubber.An electric pump should be close to the tank anyway,they push fuel a lot better than they pull it.

**71blksuper4x4** · 08-13-2010, 01:39 AM

Looks like a 4" suspension lift to me. Trevor

ericcasas · 08-13-2010, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cableguy0

Cant help with the lift. But you absolutely best move that fuel pump or nothing will matter after the fire. Your asking for a big problem with all that rubber line and the pump being exposed to anything flung off the tire. get that pump inside the frame rail or at least away from the front wheel and get some steel line in place of that rubber.An electric pump should be close to the tank anyway,they push fuel a lot better than they pull it.

Cable...will do, sir. I've got the fuel line kinda rigged right now (as you can see from the stock return line just tied in a knot). I need to go through and clean that up for sure. Thanks for the advice.

@ Trevor, thanks for the input. I think the shocks that I'm eyeing are for trucks with 5 - 7" of lift. I think I'm right in the middle. Any other peeps out there?

-E

Davidmichael · 08-13-2010, 11:18 AM

What size tires are you running? The lift should be a 4" with a 2" body lift. BTW that's a great looking truck. I wish I had it lol.

baclay9 · 08-13-2010, 11:52 AM

You need to order your shocks sized just for the suspension lift. The body lift doesn't matter. Looks like your suspension lift is about 4" to me.

shimp · 08-13-2010, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baclay9

You need to order your shocks sized just for the suspension lift. The body lift doesn't matter. Looks like your suspension lift is about 4" to me.

x2

Best to go to a electric fuel pump and regulator, get rid of the mechanical (since it's now exposed to rocks and stuff from the tires because of the body lift) or at least fab up some kind of guard to bolt to frame to protect it.

shimp · 08-13-2010, 11:56 AM

Haha, nevermind I see it's a electric. Move it.

ericcasas · 08-13-2010, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baclay9

You need to order your shocks sized just for the suspension lift. The body lift doesn't matter. Looks like your suspension lift is about 4" to me.

HOLY CRAP!!! DUDE. Now that you say that, it's totally obvious. Thanks for pointing that out. I was about to order the wrong size. As I stated in my very first post, I'm a complete 4x4 noob. All of my experience is old Ford/Merc Muscle cars ('74 Torino & 68 Cougar in highschool and then a 1967 Mustang Coupe for the last 16 years). This is my very first time tinkering with a Chevy small block and a 4x4 truck as well. I'm having a blast, though!!

I have some hilarious stories that have happened to me already but I'll post those up later. As always, thanks for the help!

@ DavidMichael, I'll have to go look when I go back home. I bought the truck off a dude that was in the Army and he said he they were off a Humvee. LOL. American tax dollars at work!!! Thanks for all those who contributed to my fresh rubber!

Jonboy · 08-13-2010, 12:59 PM

The retread plant in my hometown used to recap those tires. They are a 36x12.50 16.5, IIRC.

Davidmichael · 08-13-2010, 02:51 PM

Ok yeah they are a 36" tire and yeah they are probably a recap. In that case you for sure have a 4" lift with a 2" body lift. So order a shock for a 4" lift.

blakeduren · 08-13-2010, 04:00 PM

If your shocks are mounted right, you one need one at each corner and one steering stabilizer...anything else just messes your ride up.
this isn't the 80's or 90's and you don't need neon shock boots either.

**Dieselwrencher** · 08-13-2010, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davidmichael

Ok yeah they are a 36" tire and yeah they are probably a recap. In that case you for sure have a 4" lift with a 2" body lift. So order a shock for a 4" lift.

Those aren't recaps. If they were you would see the bonding marks on the side walls. The side walls on his are too smooth and have the original side wall those tires have.

Davidmichael · 08-13-2010, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Those aren't recaps. If they were you would see the bonding marks on the side walls. The side walls on his are too smooth and have the original side wall those tires have.

I thought I seen it on the sidewalls but hey I could be wrong.

ericcasas · 08-13-2010, 06:42 PM

Blake, thanks for that. So only one shock on each corner and one stabilizer?? I thought maybe since I'm on a 3/4 ton with heavier axles/springs that the duals up front were gonna be better. The side walls of the tires look pretty darn good on this thing. I don't have too many bright spots but the tires are fresh and the engine runs damn strong (4x4 cam, Performer intake, headers, and a Holley 750 HP series double pumper that I robbed off my 'Stang for the time being).

-E

Davidmichael · 08-13-2010, 08:52 PM

I run a single shock on all 4 corners and a dual stabilizer set up. She runs good down the road but I got super swampers that are bias ply so it's like running on eggs. And mine is a 3/4 ton also.

Jonboy · 08-13-2010, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Those aren't recaps. If they were you would see the bonding marks on the side walls. The side walls on his are too smooth and have the original side wall those tires have.

Those might not be recaps, but the plant recapped those tires, in that one size only. You could buy them with decent tires before they were recapped too, but you got a mixed lot of 4 and they usually drove funny. For $50 each, it was worth it (back in 1994).

**Dieselwrencher** · 08-13-2010, 10:54 PM

I'm sure they recapped them, I was just saying his aren't recaps. The hummers went through them pretty quick when the military actually used them. These tires are bias ply as well in case anyone wants to know. If you want radials get the 37x12.50x16.5's.

thirdstreettito · 08-13-2010, 11:07 PM

Looks like 6-8"

08-13-2010, 01:20 AM	#1
ericcasas Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Austin Posts: 24	How much lift do you guys think I have? Hey guys. Building up my 1979 GMC K2500 project and the shocks on this truck are all kinds of messed up. I want to order a new set (four in the front, two steering stabilizers and two in the rear) but dont want to mess up the sizing. It looks like I have two inches of body lift and I'm not sure how much suspension lift. What do you guys think? Thanks!! -E

08-13-2010, 01:32 AM	#2
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	Re: How much lift do you guys think I have? Cant help with the lift. But you absolutely best move that fuel pump or nothing will matter after the fire. Your asking for a big problem with all that rubber line and the pump being exposed to anything flung off the tire. get that pump inside the frame rail or at least away from the front wheel and get some steel line in place of that rubber.An electric pump should be close to the tank anyway,they push fuel a lot better than they pull it. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

08-13-2010, 01:39 AM	#3
71blksuper4x4 SWB 4x4 Collector Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Osage City, KS Posts: 5,156	Re: How much lift do you guys think I have? Looks like a 4" suspension lift to me. Trevor __________________ TREVOR 1970 CST swb 4x4 (speedwarning,cruise,tilt,tach,8track, original red shoulder belts,tow hooks) 1972 Jimmy (soon to be Hickey cloned) 1971 Cheyenne Super 4x4 swb (tilt,tach,buckets, original blue shoulder belts,am/fm,cruise,tow hooks, dealer 8 track) 1972 Cheyenne Super K20 4x4 Custom Camper (tilt, tach, am/fm, tow hooks, bed toolbox, aux gas tank 1972 Cheyenne Super Crew Cab K30 4x4 Duramax, Allison, np205, buckets, tow hooks (CURRENT PROJECT) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=624819 1989 V3500 Crew Cab (454tbi, NV4500, np205) 1970 Chevelle SS (LS5 454,th400,8track,buckets,tach) :2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (daily driver) WTB: 1968-70 Cruise Control Lever

08-13-2010, 11:18 AM	#5
Davidmichael Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 686	Re: How much lift do you guys think I have? What size tires are you running? The lift should be a 4" with a 2" body lift. BTW that's a great looking truck. I wish I had it lol. __________________ 86 Suburban 2WD = rolled it and totaled it 83 LWB STD Cab 4x4 = went to the scrapper. Was my baby. 84 Suburban 2WD = stripped it/ scrapped it 81 8 foot bed made into a trailer 86 Suburban going to be made into a trailer 91 Suburban 4x4 = that's my baby 00 S10 Xtreme STD Cab 01 S10 ZR2

08-13-2010, 11:52 AM	#6
baclay9 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Newcastle, OK Posts: 1,344	Re: How much lift do you guys think I have? You need to order your shocks sized just for the suspension lift. The body lift doesn't matter. Looks like your suspension lift is about 4" to me.

08-13-2010, 11:56 AM	#8
shimp Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Waller, TX Posts: 57	Re: How much lift do you guys think I have? Haha, nevermind I see it's a electric. Move it. __________________ 2004 Chevy Silverado 1500 RCSB 4.8v8 5 speed 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 RCSB 4.8v8 auto (wifes truck) 1986 Chevy Caprice 5.0 auto (like driving a couch down the road) 1982 Chevy C30 Crew Cab 2wd LWB - Beater Truck (I have more!) Too many to list!

08-13-2010, 12:59 PM	#10
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	Re: How much lift do you guys think I have? The retread plant in my hometown used to recap those tires. They are a 36x12.50 16.5, IIRC. __________________ 1974 Jimmy- 5.3/4L80e/NP241

08-13-2010, 02:51 PM	#11
Davidmichael Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 686	Re: How much lift do you guys think I have? Ok yeah they are a 36" tire and yeah they are probably a recap. In that case you for sure have a 4" lift with a 2" body lift. So order a shock for a 4" lift. __________________ 86 Suburban 2WD = rolled it and totaled it 83 LWB STD Cab 4x4 = went to the scrapper. Was my baby. 84 Suburban 2WD = stripped it/ scrapped it 81 8 foot bed made into a trailer 86 Suburban going to be made into a trailer 91 Suburban 4x4 = that's my baby 00 S10 Xtreme STD Cab 01 S10 ZR2

08-13-2010, 04:00 PM	#12
blakeduren Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 192	Re: How much lift do you guys think I have? If your shocks are mounted right, you one need one at each corner and one steering stabilizer...anything else just messes your ride up. this isn't the 80's or 90's and you don't need neon shock boots either.

08-13-2010, 06:42 PM	#15
ericcasas Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Austin Posts: 24	Re: How much lift do you guys think I have? Blake, thanks for that. So only one shock on each corner and one stabilizer?? I thought maybe since I'm on a 3/4 ton with heavier axles/springs that the duals up front were gonna be better. The side walls of the tires look pretty darn good on this thing. I don't have too many bright spots but the tires are fresh and the engine runs damn strong (4x4 cam, Performer intake, headers, and a Holley 750 HP series double pumper that I robbed off my 'Stang for the time being). -E

08-13-2010, 08:52 PM	#16
Davidmichael Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 686	Re: How much lift do you guys think I have? I run a single shock on all 4 corners and a dual stabilizer set up. She runs good down the road but I got super swampers that are bias ply so it's like running on eggs. And mine is a 3/4 ton also. __________________ 86 Suburban 2WD = rolled it and totaled it 83 LWB STD Cab 4x4 = went to the scrapper. Was my baby. 84 Suburban 2WD = stripped it/ scrapped it 81 8 foot bed made into a trailer 86 Suburban going to be made into a trailer 91 Suburban 4x4 = that's my baby 00 S10 Xtreme STD Cab 01 S10 ZR2 Last edited by Davidmichael; 08-13-2010 at 08:53 PM.

08-13-2010, 10:54 PM	#18
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,142	Re: How much lift do you guys think I have? I'm sure they recapped them, I was just saying his aren't recaps. The hummers went through them pretty quick when the military actually used them. These tires are bias ply as well in case anyone wants to know. If you want radials get the 37x12.50x16.5's. __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

08-13-2010, 11:07 PM	#19
thirdstreettito Resident of Here Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL, USA Posts: 7,716	Re: How much lift do you guys think I have? Looks like 6-8" __________________ ~Bradley~ 2004 Black GTO LS2/T56 too much to list Miss having a truck



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