1985 chevy lift kits

[j_cifelli]

Hey everyone im new to the forum and recently bought a 85 k10. This will be the 2nd one I have owned. I wanted to get a lift kit for my truck so I did some research and decided to order a 4 inch skyjacker lift kit... just wanted to know what if any issues I will run into if I get this kit... ive seen people say issues with drive shafts brake lines steering arms etc... anyone with some experience that could help guide me in the right direction that would be great and thanks. What if any additional things will I need to order
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[dieseldawg142]

skyjacker is good. i have 8" skyjacker leafs on the front of my truck. my k5 had a 4" lift, no driveshaft probs. at all. used a raised steering arm to correct the steering, added a dual s.stabilizer, longer shocks & some longer braided brake lines (drop brackets work too). ran 35" tires with no issues

[andrewmp6]

If it was me i would order from http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/4inchliftsystem.htm they can build you a total lift kit with every piece you need.The shackle flip will give you 4 inch lift with out buying new rear springs or the fun of replacing the springs.

[Rubble]

I have 2 trucks with 4",my 80 was done cheap with front springs&shocks and blocks on rear with new shocks.No issues with brake lines & no drop steering arm.The 86 has new springs front & rear,shocks & steering arm.No brake line issues either.If your rear springs are like mine,sagged bad.You might want to replace them too,zip wheel on both sides of hanger bolts makes it not too bad a job.I just swapped out front springs on another project yesterday & zip wheel worked way better than fighting with seized bushings!
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[j_cifelli]

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[j_cifelli]

Thanks for the feed back so looks like ill just need to get extended brake lines and a steering drop arm along with the kit?
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[j_cifelli]

O and also diesel dog. I wanted to go with 35 inch mickey Thompson baja mtz tires what dimensions would you recommend. I was going to get 35x12r15 what do you people thinks a nice size ? And would anyone recommend these tires never bought this product before
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[dieseldawg142]

Originally Posted by j_cifelli

O and also diesel dog. I wanted to go with 35 inch mickey Thompson baja mtz tires what dimensions would you recommend. I was going to get 35x12r15 what do you people thinks a nice size ? And would anyone recommend these tires never bought this product before
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thats the same size i had, but you'll want to mount them on a 8" rim. 10" rims might rub without fender trimming. never owned mickey t's, so i cant comment on them, but i like the claw & mtz. longer lines are'nt super necessary, but if you go wheeling, their good insurance, & if you go braided, your brakes will feel better too. you want a drop pitman arm, or a raised steering arm to correct your steering, i went with the arm, cheaper & i did'nt have a puller for the pitman

[j_cifelli]

So a rim with the dimensions 15x8.0 ? Sorry a lot to grasp haha first truck I will ever be modifying thanks. Also concerned with fender rubbing now maybe I should get a tire width of 35x11.5r15 instead so its not as wide ?
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[dieseldawg142]

well, the thing with tires is whats stamped on the sidewall is rarely what you get once there on the truck. usually there smaller, sometimes (rarely) bigger. my 35's measured out to about 34 1/2" with weight of truck on them.

here's a pic of my k5, 35x12.5x15 mounted on 15x 8 rally's, never hit anything, not even the stupid mud flaps mr. policeman asked me to put on

maybe rubble will jump back in, he has a few trucks on 35's

[Rubble]

My 82 has a 6" lift and 35s,no clearance problems even on 15x10 wheels.Just swapped to 37s on 16.5x8.5 rims but did a bit of trimming around back of front fender. My 86 has 35s but the fenders have been trimmed as well. I will grab some pictures after supper. Oh the 86 has 4"susp & 3" body lift too..
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[j_cifelli]

Originally Posted by Rubble

My 82 has a 6" lift and 35s,no clearance problems even on 15x10 wheels.Just swapped to 37s on 16.5x8.5 rims but did a bit of trimming around back of front fender. My 86 has 35s but the fenders have been trimmed as well. I will grab some pictures after supper. Oh the 86 has 4"susp & 3" body lift too..
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So sounds like I will need to get 33s instead of 35s then huh guys? I don't want to cut my fenders lol
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[Aftermarketfreak96]

Originally Posted by j_cifelli

So sounds like I will need to get 33s instead of 35s then huh guys? I don't want to cut my fenders lol
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You should be able to fit 35's with a 4" suspension lift without having to trim your fenders, or lengthen drive shafts, or brake lines for that matter. You may have to put a longer pitman arm on for your steering, I'm not for sure on that. My buddy has a 1987 k10 with a 4" lift and 35" tires and it runs and drives great and he didn't lengthen anything.
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[Rubble]

The '86 has four inch suspension, three inch body lift with 35 inch tires on 15x10 rims. Fenders were trimmed before I got it. There would definitely be clearance issues without the trimming.

[Rubble]

This '82 is on 37's with I believe a 6 inch lift. If might be 8 inch because it actually sits higher than the '86. Fenders are rusted out enough on the front and back so the tires clear front and back. They are 16.5 x 8.5 rims.

[Rubble]

Originally Posted by Aftermarketfreak96

You should be able to fit 35's with a 4" suspension lift without having to trim your fenders, or lengthen drive shafts, or brake lines for that matter. You may have to put a longer pitman arm on for your steering, I'm not for sure on that. My buddy has a 1987 k10 with a 4" lift and 35" tires and it runs and drives great and he didn't lengthen anything.
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I'm not sure how he is clearing 35 inch tires with a 4 inch lift. My '80 K20 has 4 inch lift and 33's and they barely clear the front fenders on 8 inch rims. There is no way 35's would work on this truck. Must have done some fender trimming.

[j_cifelli]

Ok so ill just stick with 33s for tire size 10 inch rim ? Whats every think for rim size ?
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[dieseldawg142]

i think the best thing to do is install the lift, then hit the tire stores & have them mock up a tire that will fit. there is so many variables 'bout what fits & what hits. like tires, susp. size's are'nt written in stone, age & sagginess of springs, etc. some make them fit (i did), some dont. i did notice rubble's 4" springs dont have the same amount of arch my 4" springs had, but his clearance is better on the tires than mine. 10" rims will usually put the tire into the corners of the fenders with a 4" lift

[Aftermarketfreak96]

Originally Posted by Rubble

I'm not sure how he is clearing 35 inch tires with a 4 inch lift. My '80 K20 has 4 inch lift and 33's and they barely clear the front fenders on 8 inch rims. There is no way 35's would work on this truck. Must have done some fender trimming.

He did trim his front fenders only because he had 38.5s on a 4" lift. I have no lift at all on my 87 k10 and I have full tread 33x12.50s on it with 10x15 inch rims and they don't rub at all. So I don't see how your 33s barely fit with a 4" lift
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[Rubble]

Originally Posted by Aftermarketfreak96

He did trim his front fenders only because he had 38.5s on a 4" lift. I have no lift at all on my 87 k10 and I have full tread 33x12.50s on it with 10x15 inch rims and they don't rub at all. So I don't see how your 33s barely fit with a 4" lift
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I am just telling you what I have found,like dieseldawg said one tire brand of 35 might only measure 33" too.Lots of variables like spring arch as well.a lot depends on backspacing as well.Mine all sit flush or beyond the wheel well too.
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[Aftermarketfreak96]

I would have to agree, and I guess the weight differences between two vehicles could play a small factor in how high it sits as well.
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[b454rat]

I run 38.5 boggers on my truck with 4" lift, trimmed the fenders to fit. I built an 84 that had 6" lift and 35" mud brutes with 10" that would rub pretty good when flexing. Had another 84 6" lift 35" on 10s that didn't rub at all. My first 4wd Chevy was stock, 33" on 8" rims rubbed pretty good.

What it comes down to it rim offset. I've seen trucks run 35s on stock 8" rally's with 4" lift. But the higher the truck goes, the wider the stance should be. Makes it more stable, plus makes it look alot better.

[Rubble]

Originally Posted by b454rat

I run 38.5 boggers on my truck with 4" lift, trimmed the fenders to fit. I built an 84 that had 6" lift and 35" mud brutes with 10" that would rub pretty good when flexing. Had another 84 6" lift 35" on 10s that didn't rub at all. My first 4wd Chevy was stock, 33" on 8" rims rubbed pretty good.

What it comes down to it rim offset. I've seen trucks run 35s on stock 8" rally's with 4" lift. But the higher the truck goes, the wider the stance should be. Makes it more stable, plus makes it look alot better.

That's the same line of thinking I used when setting up my trucks,nice wide stance.I like that look!!Plus some of the lease roads we run,wider stance the better too..
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[j_cifelli]

I never understood how trucks had their tires sticking out past their fenders I love that look. So rim off set is how they get that wider stance look ? Also thanks for everyones comments I will order the skyjacker 4 inch lift kit and I will install it first and I currently have 32s on the truck so ill have the local tire experts help me judge on getting away with the 35s ill send pictures of the truck before and after as well thanks a lot every one!
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[Rubble]

Ya,it's all in the wheel backspacing.A good tire guy should be able to help you out in choosing rims too,good luck & show us how it turned out eh...
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