Lifted 2wd?

[White70C20]

Has anyone here ever lifted a 2wd truck? I know I'm probably in the minority, but I really don't like the look of lowered trucks (sorry). My '70 C20 has stock suspension on it now, and when I pull up beside newer 2wd trucks, even 1/2tons, they're all sitting up higher than I am.
I know one of Chevy's major selling points was that their trucks sat lower than the competition, thus making them ride more like a car. But nowadays, even modern sedans ride higher than they did back 40 years ago.

My question: has anyone lifted a 2wd truck? If so, what did you use? I'm not looking for a huge lift so I can fit 35s under it, I just want to sit up higher on the road.

[Mr Chevorlet]

They used to make twist in coil spring spacers that would give you a little lift but not much. it would keep your springs from collapsing so much. I had them on my 67 in the 80's.

[etindoll]

I think they make spacers that will go under your front springs to give you about an 1-1/2 of lift. I think I have heard some people using Jeep coils in the back maybe these could work.

http://www.carid.com/1998-jeep-wrang...Fc5FMgod4DkAag

[White70C20]

Thanks, guys!

I forgot to mention some vital information. My truck is a 3/4 ton with the "Custom Camper" package. It has heavy duty leaf springs in the back. (I'm assuming most 4x4s had leaf spring rear ends too?)
Basically, I was wondering if a lift kit for a '67-72 K20 would fit on my C20? Or if anybody had had luck swapping in different components to make them higher.

[Bigdav160]

The rear is easy. With leaf springs you can run blocks, or lifted springs or a shackle flip.

The front is more of a problem. 4WD trucks had leafs in the front also.

How about a small body lift?

[slow-1]

You are not alone...someone just asked about raising the front of his C-20...front springs from a 73-87 crew cab dually was suggested.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=594365

[White70C20]

Thanks guys,

That's great 'n all, but what I'm after is making my C20 the same height as a more modern 3/4 ton 2wd. My grandfather has a '95 C2500 (basically the same as mine only 25 years newer) and it sits up significantly higher than mine. Granted, it's only 18 years old and only has 58,000 miles, vs. my 43 year old truck with 68,000 miles.

Am I just asking too much from old technology?

[nightmare]

Stock height these things weren't but 33"-35" from the ground to the top of the fender well. What's yours sitting at now?

[steelhorse]

Try buying a new set of springs for a big block truck. Your springs have probably settled a couple of inches over the years.

[Lou Boffa]

may not be what you are after but 16" steelies and a 235/85 will raise the stance

[ksshane]

I could be wrong but I think he is looking for something even taller. Probably some way to get his suspension high enough to put some 35" tires under there and still have plenty of room.

The rear would be pretty simple with leafs in the rear. Front is more of a challenge. May have to look at some newer trucks and their front suspensions to see if any can be swapped out. I remember in the 90's seeing alot of aftermarket parts in the magazines to raise 2wd trucks.

I know.. probably no help at all

[SS Tim]

There is about an 8" difference in curb height between a 72 and a 2012. Much of that is the cab interior height and the fact the floorpan sits pretty much flat on top of the wider frame. Trying to raise the truck that much is going to be costly to have it done right and still ride like a street truck. A set of taller front springs, rear blocks and 33" (255-85R 16 for example) tires should do a lot without killing the ride.

[Pro Performance]

Here is a write up of a forum member (Dino) who change the ball joints to accept a later model lift spindle. In my opinion, this would be the ideal way to go, since it won't effect ride at all. You can also put a lift springs in there also to get additional height, like he did. He is using the 88-98 Chevy truck lift components.

Hope you find this link helpful.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=282398

[Pro Performance]

Here is another on a square body.... same idea.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=469743

[White70C20]

Cool, thanks guys!

I was out looking at my grandfather's old '70 C20 he parked in amongst the other old farm machinery he didn't use anymore. Though it's sunken down into the dirt a little bit over the last 25 years, it seemed to me that the distance between the top of the wheel well and the tire is about the same as my truck (the two are virtually twins). I want to drag it out and get a good look at it sometime. It has a 250 I6 in it, where mine has a 350 so mine could be sagging a little in the front from the extra weight.

I still would like to lift my C20, but I think I'm going to put it on the back burner for right now. Thanks again!

[Katrina/10]

Put a 3 or 4 inch body lift on it, no suspension mods req'd.

[71sierragrande]

If you do a body lift, it shows the frame a lot more than at stock height, so make sure its lookin good

[derotoreut]

Just saw this thread and thought I would chime in. I'm with you on the lowered trucks (not for me). That's the beauty about these trucks... there are so many options. Check out my picture link below. When I did front disc conversion I changed out the front springs. I installed some HD springs (P/N 2772074) bought from NAPA. Tires do not rub at all. They are 285/70-17 tires with H2 Hummer wheels. The ride is a bit stiff, but hey it's a 3/4 ton truck. Here's a comparison of the springs:

The stock HD C20 springs are as follows:

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...752_0162319756

Part No.: 2771752
No. of Coils: 7.92
Free Height: 12.94"
Spring ID: 3.68"
Spring Load Height: 10"
Design Load: 2950
Spring Rate: 1016
Wire Diameter: 0.812"

The springs I put on from C10, C20, C30 from 1973-83. They are as follows:

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...074_0162301536

Part No.: 2772074
No. of Coils: 8
Free Height: 13.61"
Spring ID: 3.676"
Spring Load Height: 10"
Design Load: 3841
Spring Rate: 1060
Wire Diameter: 0.83"

You could also use C30 mid '80's 1-ton springs, but I thought they would be too stiff. Those are:

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...085_0162304063

Part No.: 2773085
No. of Coils: 7.93
Free Height: 13.34"
Spring ID: 3.65"
Spring Load Height: 11"
Design Load: 3289
Spring Rate: 1318
Wire Diameter: 0.906"

[bruin_d]

Go big or go home....

http://giantmotorsports.com/content/view/85/105/

[Jahloha]

Originally Posted by derotoreut

Just saw this thread and thought I would chime in. I'm with you on the lowered trucks (not for me). That's the beauty about these trucks... there are so many options. Check out my picture link below. When I did front disc conversion I changed out the front springs. I installed some HD springs (P/N 2772074) bought from NAPA. Tires do not rub at all. They are 285/70-17 tires with H2 Hummer wheels. The ride is a bit stiff, but hey it's a 3/4 ton truck. Here's a comparison of the springs:

The stock HD C20 springs are as follows:

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...752_0162319756

Part No.: 2771752
No. of Coils: 7.92
Free Height: 12.94"
Spring ID: 3.68"
Spring Load Height: 10"
Design Load: 2950
Spring Rate: 1016
Wire Diameter: 0.812"

The springs I put on from C10, C20, C30 from 1973-83. They are as follows:

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...074_0162301536

Part No.: 2772074
No. of Coils: 8
Free Height: 13.61"
Spring ID: 3.676"
Spring Load Height: 10"
Design Load: 3841
Spring Rate: 1060
Wire Diameter: 0.83"

You could also use C30 mid '80's 1-ton springs, but I thought they would be too stiff. Those are:

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...085_0162304063

Part No.: 2773085
No. of Coils: 7.93
Free Height: 13.34"
Spring ID: 3.65"
Spring Load Height: 11"
Design Load: 3289
Spring Rate: 1318
Wire Diameter: 0.906"

What conversion kit did you use? Was it pretty straight forward?

[derotoreut]

Originally Posted by Jahloha

What conversion kit did you use? Was it pretty straight forward?

I used Performance Online 8-lug conversion kit. It was straightforward and customer service was very good.