Good lift for my '74 Jimmy

[Jonboy]

I am getting ready to lift my '74 Jimmy, and am looking for suggestions for a brand of lift. I am going to go 4", and probably run a 33" tire. I am looking for something that will have a nice ride; it will probably not see much (if any) off road use. The truck will also get an 8 lug conversion, and a 5.3/4L80/241 swap. Any help would be appreciated.
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[argonaut]

From what I've experienced with my trucks, and a few friends', the best ride can be had by doing a shackle flip in the rear and either a set of soft 4" lift springs up front or 52" springs up front. Especially for a mostly street driven truck I would recommend the use of a sway bar up front.

[Jonboy]

I looked into doing the 52" springs up front, but I really don't want to do crossover steering. I have the 56" springs from the 3/4 ton Suburban I got the axles from also. Is the crossover steering necessary to do the 52" springs up front? If not, the DIY4X brackets would be outstanding. Looking into the crossover steering is what put me back to looking at doing a prefab lift kit. With this going to be a mall crawler, it looked overkill to me.

[argonaut]

You dont have to do crossover steering. In fact it would be a waste since you won't be doing any serious offroading. Just use a raised steering arm.

[bmchevy1979]

As long as you keep axle in stock location front to back cross-over is not necessary the DIY4X kit gives you the option to move axle were you need

[Bladeboy1998]

We need pics! Lol

[mcmlxix]

You need to start a Build Thread with lots of pics ....

[andrewmp6]

With 33s the stock axles are perfect,And if that np241 is from a newer truck its the wrong side drop unless you run a 70s ford front axle which is hard and pricey to get now a days.

[Jonboy]

Originally Posted by mcmlxix

You need to start a Build Thread with lots of pics ....

I do. I've actually had time to work on it some today, too. All the old stuff is out, and laying on the floor in the garage.

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

With 33s the stock axles are perfect,And if that np241 is from a newer truck its the wrong side drop unless you run a 70s ford front axle which is hard and pricey to get now a days.

I have a 241 out of a 90 Suburban 3/4 ton. Drop is on the correct side, and it is supposed to bolt behind the 4L80e. We will see how that goes.

My present plan is to run Skyjacker soft ride springs in the front, possibly rear with 33s. Still undecided on 2.5" or 4" lift. Going to test fit engine then paint everything. This is a big step for me. I usually just throw stuff together by this point. I do know I will be running new U.S. Mags Indy wheels on it. That is pretty much set in stone now.

[andrewmp6]

Is that Suburban a turbo 400 or a 700r4/4l60e?If its a turbo 400 it will bolt on if its a 700r4/4l60e then its a 27 spline input and the 4l80e needs a 32 input,But i believe you can gut the case and swap the shafts if needed.

[bmchevy1979]

You Can run a 2.5in lift with 33s as long as you don't get wide wheels I'm going to have to lifting my k5 a little more cause I just put 10in wide rims and they rub a little when turning sharp but with the 8in rims they only rubbed when wheeling really hard

[Jonboy]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

Is that Suburban a turbo 400 or a 700r4/4l60e?If its a turbo 400 it will bolt on if its a 700r4/4l60e then its a 27 spline input and the 4l80e needs a 32 input,But i believe you can gut the case and swap the shafts if needed.

It was a TH400 truck. I sure hope it works, it's a little late to turn back now!

Originally Posted by bmchevy1979

You Can run a 2.5in lift with 33s as long as you don't get wide wheels I'm going to have to lifting my k5 a little more cause I just put 10in wide rims and they rub a little when turning sharp but with the 8in rims they only rubbed when wheeling really hard

Mine won't see much wheeling at all. My main concern is making sure it fits in the garage still, since the top will probably never get put back on. The height of the garage door is going to be my main concern.

[andrewmp6]

Yeah you should be golden with that t case.

[obijuan]

Tuff country has the lowest advertised front spring rate. Theoretically should ride best.

[bmchevy1979]

Here is my truck with 15x8 and the second pic 15x10 in the front this is and old Rancho lift with one leaf pulled and longer shackles and in the back is an add a leaf plus a 1in block butt I would get springs all around I'm swapping to 3/4 ton so that is the reason for different tires and rims in second pic