Help me choose a method of lift! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Destructo · 11-30-2003, 03:50 PM

Alright I know what height I want, but not sure which way I want to do it. I really would like to get all springs but that is more than I want to spend right now. I'm trying to decide between 2" add-a-leafs and 2" blocks for the rear with new springs in the front. Or straight 4" blocks. I would do a shackle flip but I have heard you can use it to tow with if you do that. I'm not worried about a rough ride and was thinking about going with a rough country kit, or I could put my own kit together by just ordering the parts seperatley. How do you guys think I should do it? I will most likely upgrade the rear springs to full 4" lift springs later on.

Mudder · 11-30-2003, 04:08 PM

Get a tuff country 4 inch suspension. New spings in the front and blocks in the rear.

Destructo · 11-30-2003, 10:02 PM

Do you know the best site to get those kits? The best I have found so far is about 250 without shocks and a steering arm.

soleeagle · 11-30-2003, 10:12 PM

Try www.justliftkits.com They carry Rough Country kits pretty cheep and they come with shocks, boots, steering arm, and everything needed. I bought my 6 inch from them in Sept. at the 4X4 Jamborie in Indy. The 6 inch was 420.00 when I bought it so the 4 inch should be cheeper.

Destructo · 11-30-2003, 10:22 PM

Are the rough country kits pretty good? And just so you guys know, i'm not overly concerned with how rough it will ride, I'm pretty used to a rough riding truck and that doesn't bother me at all. The only thing about the ride I don't like is if stuff rattles when you hit bumps a lot. Like if you hit a bump and your exhaust pipe bangs around, I hate that! But I have everything nice and tight on my truck and am not concerned with how it rides. Price is an issue here as the 35x12.5 inch super swamper trxus M/Ts are going to cost me well over 700 bucks to be mounted, so I want to save as much as possible.

Jcwhitney has the rough country 4" kits for the same as the justliftkits place, then it comes down to shipping hehe.

at suspensionconnection a tuff-country kit with nitro shocks, steering arm, front springs, rear blocks, and all the hardware and brake line stuff is about 531 shipped.

soleeagle · 12-01-2003, 12:46 AM

I have had my Rough Country kit on for over 2 months now and have had no problems. I was in the same position you were with money and that is why I went with it. I am happy that I did since I had a few bucks left over to do a few other things to the truck. The main reason I had to get it quick was that the previous owner had put a 2 inch lift on but he used blocks in the front and back which was not only unsafe but illegal. I hope this helps you out.

Destructo · 12-01-2003, 12:50 AM

I wonder why their kits are so much cheaper than the rest? Maybe their just using older technology for their springs and thats why everybody says they ride so rough but the other ones use newer technology to design their springs to ride better. I may go with 2" AAL and 2" block for the rear since the kit is so cheap and getting a pair of AAL and 2" blocks would only run me about 80 bucks. Probably just install the 4" block for now though. I'm going to fab up some brackets for my axle stops too so that I don't over-flex the stock springs and mess them up.

drink2mny · 12-01-2003, 01:11 AM

Also check this thread out..

I can tow all day with the shackle flip I did, with no problems..

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=77878

**JIMs70GMC** · 12-01-2003, 07:32 AM

When I installed my 2" HD tuff country lift springs up front I ended up w/ about 3" of lift. In the rear I add an add a leaf and 2" block and removed the factory 1" block to level the truck.
If your exhaust bangs around that much take it back and have them install some more hangers. LOL!
I would not worry about the stops I don't think you'll over flex it. I have some 4" blocks made by Trailmaster sitting in my garage you can have for the price of shipping no u-bolts though. This would be a good time to replace the "square" ubolts with a u-bolt flip. Look at the pics in my signature.

Destructo · 12-01-2003, 11:13 AM

I have round u-bolts on mine, I also have all the u-bolts for 4" blocks, the guy I bought my last set of axles from gave me all kinds of bolts. Including all the 1/2 ton 4" lift u-bolts and springs plates off his blazer.

No, my exhaust doesn't bang around at all, but I have ridden in vehicles that have and it gets on my nerves hehe. I think I would still rather go with blocks for 2" add a leafs and 2" blocks. My truck doesn't have factory blocks on the rear like the 67-72 trucks I believe. What I was really planning on doing was going with a Rough Country 4" kit which comes with everything and 4" blocks for the back and then save up a bit of cash and buy a pair of 4" lift rear springs to replace the 4" block. Since the rough country kits are so damned cheap I don't feel like it would be a waste of money at 300 bucks for the 4" kit and then another 350 for some new rear springs, I come out at about the same price as any other all spring lift kit.

alf4444 · 12-01-2003, 12:11 PM

www.suspensionconnection.com is tuffs website.

Destructo · 12-01-2003, 02:26 PM

OHH, no wonder thats all they carry

alf4444 · 12-01-2003, 02:52 PM

yup! tuff is suspension connection if you call either of their tech lines its the same people, sometimes they'll slip and say tuff when you call suspensionconn.

alf4444 · 12-01-2003, 02:54 PM

Too bad your not closer or i would get you a good deal on whatever you decide to get but I'm lazy and don't want to ship a whole lift kit.

BTW if you have a les schwab tire in your area they are also a authorized dealer for tuff.

gman · 12-05-2003, 01:19 AM

Hey ALF,

If you are willing, I'd be interested in what kinda prices you can get for some lifts. I'm REAL local for you. I'm interested in a 2 or 4" all spring lift. Any help would be great.

Destructo · 12-05-2003, 01:46 AM

I am actually going to end up going with an all spring lift. 4" rough country springs.

*dtlilly* · 12-05-2003, 02:48 AM

I read this thread and had something to add.

My 1/2 ton GMC had 3/4 ton axels and suspension from a mid 70's put under it. They are heavy duty for getting through the gumbo without breaking an axel. The springs are longer on the newer models so the springs had to be re-arched to fit my factory perches. A bonus was I achieved about 4" lift and I'm bullet proof compared to the little 1/2 tons. I run 33" but 35" would fit, I just wanted the extra wheel travel into the fenders for off roading. Total cost was about less than you plan on spending, once I located the correct donor truck.

Just an idea or option I decided to do, Don.

alf4444 · 12-05-2003, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gman
Hey ALF,

If you are willing, I'd be interested in what kinda prices you can get for some lifts. I'm REAL local for you. I'm interested in a 2 or 4" all spring lift. Any help would be great.

Email me exactly what you need
vehicle specs
lift size

awolfe@prolexys.com

alf4444 · 12-05-2003, 11:43 AM

for an example I was right around 525 with my 6" with blocks in the back. That was with everything
shocks
tcase and swaybar drops
stainless brakelines for the front
steering arm

i checked their website and even with it on sale right now (internet sale $35 bucks off) minus the fact you would have to pay shipping and taxes weren't added on yet. The price for the same thing i got was $590 so that gives you an I dea of what I could save you.

*1FaastC10* · 12-06-2003, 12:06 AM

destructo, do yourself a favor, adn dont buy lift springs just yet. buy front springs and an ORD shackle flip, it'll ride much better.

alf, 6" rear blocks?!

you hate your truck dont you?

Destructo · 12-06-2003, 12:25 AM

I wanted to go with new springs because I use my rig to tow with and it may even be towing a off-road machine sometime in the furture, so were talking about fairly heavy weights here and I was concerned with the strength of the shackle flip. Ride quality is not as important to me as strength is, thats why I decided to go with springs. And besides its already too late anyway to change my mind

their on their way now.

11-30-2003, 03:50 PM	#1
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	Help me choose a method of lift! Alright I know what height I want, but not sure which way I want to do it. I really would like to get all springs but that is more than I want to spend right now. I'm trying to decide between 2" add-a-leafs and 2" blocks for the rear with new springs in the front. Or straight 4" blocks. I would do a shackle flip but I have heard you can use it to tow with if you do that. I'm not worried about a rough ride and was thinking about going with a rough country kit, or I could put my own kit together by just ordering the parts seperatley. How do you guys think I should do it? I will most likely upgrade the rear springs to full 4" lift springs later on.

11-30-2003, 10:12 PM	#4
soleeagle Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Shelbyville, Indiana Posts: 614	Try www.justliftkits.com They carry Rough Country kits pretty cheep and they come with shocks, boots, steering arm, and everything needed. I bought my 6 inch from them in Sept. at the 4X4 Jamborie in Indy. The 6 inch was 420.00 when I bought it so the 4 inch should be cheeper. __________________ Chuck '85 Chevy Silverado 4X4 '91 Chevy 4X4 Suburban http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/545941

11-30-2003, 10:22 PM	#5
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	Are the rough country kits pretty good? And just so you guys know, i'm not overly concerned with how rough it will ride, I'm pretty used to a rough riding truck and that doesn't bother me at all. The only thing about the ride I don't like is if stuff rattles when you hit bumps a lot. Like if you hit a bump and your exhaust pipe bangs around, I hate that! But I have everything nice and tight on my truck and am not concerned with how it rides. Price is an issue here as the 35x12.5 inch super swamper trxus M/Ts are going to cost me well over 700 bucks to be mounted, so I want to save as much as possible. Jcwhitney has the rough country 4" kits for the same as the justliftkits place, then it comes down to shipping hehe. at suspensionconnection a tuff-country kit with nitro shocks, steering arm, front springs, rear blocks, and all the hardware and brake line stuff is about 531 shipped. Last edited by Destructo; 11-30-2003 at 10:25 PM.

12-01-2003, 12:46 AM	#6
soleeagle Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Shelbyville, Indiana Posts: 614	I have had my Rough Country kit on for over 2 months now and have had no problems. I was in the same position you were with money and that is why I went with it. I am happy that I did since I had a few bucks left over to do a few other things to the truck. The main reason I had to get it quick was that the previous owner had put a 2 inch lift on but he used blocks in the front and back which was not only unsafe but illegal. I hope this helps you out. __________________ Chuck '85 Chevy Silverado 4X4 '91 Chevy 4X4 Suburban http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/545941

12-01-2003, 01:11 AM	#8
drink2mny Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: spokane wa Posts: 2,189	Also check this thread out.. I can tow all day with the shackle flip I did, with no problems.. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=77878 __________________ Support The Board

11-30-2003, 04:08 PM	#2
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Get a tuff country 4 inch suspension. New spings in the front and blocks in the rear.

11-30-2003, 10:02 PM	#3
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	Do you know the best site to get those kits? The best I have found so far is about 250 without shocks and a steering arm.

12-01-2003, 12:50 AM	#7
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	I wonder why their kits are so much cheaper than the rest? Maybe their just using older technology for their springs and thats why everybody says they ride so rough but the other ones use newer technology to design their springs to ride better. I may go with 2" AAL and 2" block for the rear since the kit is so cheap and getting a pair of AAL and 2" blocks would only run me about 80 bucks. Probably just install the 4" block for now though. I'm going to fab up some brackets for my axle stops too so that I don't over-flex the stock springs and mess them up.

12-01-2003, 07:32 AM	#9
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	When I installed my 2" HD tuff country lift springs up front I ended up w/ about 3" of lift. In the rear I add an add a leaf and 2" block and removed the factory 1" block to level the truck. If your exhaust bangs around that much take it back and have them install some more hangers. LOL! I would not worry about the stops I don't think you'll over flex it. I have some 4" blocks made by Trailmaster sitting in my garage you can have for the price of shipping no u-bolts though. This would be a good time to replace the "square" ubolts with a u-bolt flip. Look at the pics in my signature. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

12-01-2003, 11:13 AM	#10
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	I have round u-bolts on mine, I also have all the u-bolts for 4" blocks, the guy I bought my last set of axles from gave me all kinds of bolts. Including all the 1/2 ton 4" lift u-bolts and springs plates off his blazer. No, my exhaust doesn't bang around at all, but I have ridden in vehicles that have and it gets on my nerves hehe. I think I would still rather go with blocks for 2" add a leafs and 2" blocks. My truck doesn't have factory blocks on the rear like the 67-72 trucks I believe. What I was really planning on doing was going with a Rough Country 4" kit which comes with everything and 4" blocks for the back and then save up a bit of cash and buy a pair of 4" lift rear springs to replace the 4" block. Since the rough country kits are so damned cheap I don't feel like it would be a waste of money at 300 bucks for the 4" kit and then another 350 for some new rear springs, I come out at about the same price as any other all spring lift kit.

12-01-2003, 12:11 PM	#11
alf4444 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: taylorsville, UT Posts: 778	www.suspensionconnection.com is tuffs website. __________________ 2011 CCSB GMC 2500HD DMAX 73 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 96 Chevy 1500 STD Cab Shortbed Z71 Owner of WickedWolfRC.com

12-01-2003, 02:26 PM	#12
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	OHH, no wonder thats all they carry

12-01-2003, 02:52 PM	#13
alf4444 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: taylorsville, UT Posts: 778	yup! tuff is suspension connection if you call either of their tech lines its the same people, sometimes they'll slip and say tuff when you call suspensionconn. __________________ 2011 CCSB GMC 2500HD DMAX 73 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 96 Chevy 1500 STD Cab Shortbed Z71 Owner of WickedWolfRC.com

12-01-2003, 02:54 PM	#14
alf4444 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: taylorsville, UT Posts: 778	Too bad your not closer or i would get you a good deal on whatever you decide to get but I'm lazy and don't want to ship a whole lift kit. BTW if you have a les schwab tire in your area they are also a authorized dealer for tuff. __________________ 2011 CCSB GMC 2500HD DMAX 73 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 96 Chevy 1500 STD Cab Shortbed Z71 Owner of WickedWolfRC.com

12-05-2003, 01:19 AM	#15
gman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Ogden, Utah Posts: 290	Hey ALF, If you are willing, I'd be interested in what kinda prices you can get for some lifts. I'm REAL local for you. I'm interested in a 2 or 4" all spring lift. Any help would be great. __________________ 72 Chevy SWB Custom Deluxe K10, 350/SM465, PS, PB, Fact. Air 2000 Harley...Wide Glide



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12-05-2003, 01:46 AM	#16
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	I am actually going to end up going with an all spring lift. 4" rough country springs.

12-05-2003, 02:48 AM	#17
dtlilly Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Shadow of Lambeau Field Posts: 5,597	I read this thread and had something to add. My 1/2 ton GMC had 3/4 ton axels and suspension from a mid 70's put under it. They are heavy duty for getting through the gumbo without breaking an axel. The springs are longer on the newer models so the springs had to be re-arched to fit my factory perches. A bonus was I achieved about 4" lift and I'm bullet proof compared to the little 1/2 tons. I run 33" but 35" would fit, I just wanted the extra wheel travel into the fenders for off roading. Total cost was about less than you plan on spending, once I located the correct donor truck. Just an idea or option I decided to do, Don.

12-05-2003, 11:43 AM	#19
alf4444 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: taylorsville, UT Posts: 778	for an example I was right around 525 with my 6" with blocks in the back. That was with everything shocks tcase and swaybar drops stainless brakelines for the front steering arm i checked their website and even with it on sale right now (internet sale $35 bucks off) minus the fact you would have to pay shipping and taxes weren't added on yet. The price for the same thing i got was $590 so that gives you an I dea of what I could save you. __________________ 2011 CCSB GMC 2500HD DMAX 73 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 96 Chevy 1500 STD Cab Shortbed Z71 Owner of WickedWolfRC.com

12-06-2003, 12:06 AM	#20
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	destructo, do yourself a favor, adn dont buy lift springs just yet. buy front springs and an ORD shackle flip, it'll ride much better. alf, 6" rear blocks?! you hate your truck dont you?

12-06-2003, 12:25 AM	#21
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	I wanted to go with new springs because I use my rig to tow with and it may even be towing a off-road machine sometime in the furture, so were talking about fairly heavy weights here and I was concerned with the strength of the shackle flip. Ride quality is not as important to me as strength is, thats why I decided to go with springs. And besides its already too late anyway to change my mind their on their way now.

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