Suburban Lift?

[Scott Johnson]

I am in the planning stages of restoring my 72 Suburban K10. I am wanting to lift the truck, but am undecided on how high to go and what size tires to use. Do any of you have suggestions on lift height and tire size? This will be my daily driver, I want the truck to drive good, but with a slightly taller stance. It wont be off-road too much, mainly for better looks. If any of you have been there and can offer suggestions, that would be great.

Scott

[teeitup]

I put a 2 inch block rear spring front on mine and 33 x 12.50's on it. I think it set just right to make it look better and not so high I have to jump to get in it. You can see pics of it on the parts board under selling 68 burb. Randy

[Scott Johnson]

Thanks Randy, pics will help me see how high I wan to go.

Scott

[Mike C]

First decide what your primary usage will be, then decide how much gear you have/want to run. This is imperitive.

With this said, there are several choices. Depending on gearing, which means $, Stock height with 31" tires, 2 1/2" with 33" tires, or 4" with 35's.

My choice would be the 33's, specifically a 305 75 16 with a System lift using front AND rear springs. No blocks for me. Never again. (note AGAIN.) You will want 3.73 gears for this setup.

Most likely your truck has 3.07 gears, in which case all of these tires are too tall IMO. You can run 31's with the 3.07 with a stock cam, but for the 33's, you want at least 3.73. You can run 3.73 with the 35's also, but 4.10s would be better yet.

[landon4421]

I am restoring my 1972 c-10 4X4. I am going with a 4" lift (no blocks) and I am running BFG mudders, 33 x 12.50's. It looks nice that hight. But you need to figure out what you are going to use it for. There is one running around here in town with a 6" lift with 38's or something like that and in my opinion it looks like poop. But to each his own... Good luck on you project. Landon

[Scott Johnson]

Thanks Guys. I was considering a 4 inch with 33 tires. I haven`t been into my axles yet, but I was told they were 373`s. any more pics ya`ll might have would be great. Also what brand lift have any of you had experience with. Which ones to avoid and which ones work best. I also plan to go with a system (no blocks). Glad I found this site. Everyone here is really helpful, and its nice to talk to fellow Chevy Truck enthusiasts.

Scott

[Mike C]

With your setup, I would run the 2 1/2" and 33's. Gear should be perfect and height should be near perfect. I thought mine looked funny with 4" and 33's. Too much lift for that tire. I needed more tire anyhow because of the 4.10 gears, so the 35's worked out. If you are going to get new wheels, I would hold out and go to 16's or 17's. 16's being lots cheaper still. 305 75 16 should be ~33 12.5 16

[Scott Johnson]

ttt

[Bob Chayer]

I had the same questions a short time ago and Mike C and others had some great info to help me out. (Thanks guys!) Do a search for " Suburban pics" on the 4x4 message board and there will be some pictures to give you an idea of what other Sub owners are doing. If you can't find them let me know and I can send you the ones I have collected.

Talk to the guys at www.offroaddesign.com They have a wealth of knowlege when it comes to setting our trucks up for offroad. They were willing to talk with me for at least an hour about my project and in the end we had a game plan that worked for me.

I like the stock look so we decided on:

2" springs and 0 rate add-a-leafs in the front, a 4" shackle flip and 0 rate add-a-leafs in the rear to level the truck, shims to angle the rear pinion down to prevent vibration, heavy duty front shackles, a 2"drop pitnum arm, u-bolt flip kit and poly bushings with grease fittings all the way around. I'm not sure on the shocks just yet.

Tires will be 34x10.5x16 Super Swampers on stock steel wheels.

The 0 rate add a leafs can be used to move the front and rear axle to center them under the truck after a lift or move them forward to prevent sheet metal contact. They also add an inch of lift.

This will cost more than a "quick" 4 inch lift kit but it will be done without lift blocks and gives me the versatility i am looking for. The tires I chose are less than $120.00 a piece compared to 35s that can run in the $160 to $200+ range. This should more than pay for the cost of the lift design.

Hope this helps some and let us know how the project is going!

Goodluck!

[Bob Chayer]

I forgot.....a Ranger overdive unit from Advance Adapters to keep the RPMs down on the highway!