My Build Thread (year+) on 71 Jimmy 4x4

[RckyMntnKng]

Well, I tend to like body lifts as part of an overall lift.
They dont raise the center of gravity as mush as a equal size suspension lift.
They dont change steering geometry or driveline angles.
The truck needed new polys anyway, and the body lift kit w/bolts is cheaper to buy than trying to just find the right size bolts alone for the poly.
Im having tube bumpers made and this way they wouldnt need moved up later if I decided to someday do a body lift.
The 36's are temporary as rollers while I work, I just ended up with them when I bought the rims, so I figured I needed more than just the 6" suspension lift.

Is there something wrong with BL's?

[Jtrux]

Are you running a D60 or D44? In this thread you say D60 but in your other thread you have a rebuilt D44 from a 71 K20. What are you going with??

[Burt4x4]

A BLift that is installed properly will work fine.
There is a buzzz out there in the off-road community that sends negative vibes out to the body lift gods...not sure why?
Center of gravety issue? Mee think No, I have been in many 'pucker factor' angles on the trail and survived from tippin over..
All I know is I have been wheeling with a BLift on my K5 for hmmmmm 16yrs now. I have never ever not even one time had an issue with them

More

[RckyMntnKng]

Center of Gravity stays lower with a body lift.....

Rather than moving the whole truck, motor, tranny etc up with a spring, you are only moving the body up....which has to be like 1/3 the weight or less.

The real downside is you dont gain any ground clearance on the running gear other than the tire size change you can now clear will gain you a couple inches on the ground.

My axle story is convoluted I know...I have access to several sets that Ive decided on one way and changed my mind the next.

Im really tempted to drop that dana 44 into it from the 71 k20 due to the myriad of other things like ease of steering and cost...but I keep thinking I'll kick myself later if I dont just do the D60 front. Im not sure I will wheel it hard enough to break things on the 44 if I build it right and mostly use it as a daily driver and camping rig. My max tire size will be 37 x pretty wide.

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by RckyMntnKng

Is there something wrong with BL's?

Some like em, some don't.

Was just curious about all that uneeded lift to run 36's but you explained that, so now I understand more better...

[RckyMntnKng]

No prob!

In your experience VT, how much lift could flex out 36x14.50's without trimming?

Right now I think im at 5", because it looks like the PO has a 2" suspension lift under it, unless rear blocks are stock.

If you know anyone who wants to trade me a set of 4" springs for a new set of four TC 6" springs Ive got, let me know :-)

-RMK

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by RckyMntnKng

No prob!

In your experience VT, how much lift could flex out 36x14.50's without trimming?

The general consensus is, if you wheel with 35/36 inch tires you'll need and be fine with a 6" lift.

Our year trucks have their demons though, that 'fang' on the front fender can really get in the way.

Are you going to move your front axle forward?
Another point of contact is the rear of the front fender while turning/flexing.

Only thing now is...will those 36's look lost with 9"s of lift?

[RckyMntnKng]

Thanks VT...

Yes they will look lost on 9", you bet. My original plan (when I was ordering parts) was to go much bigger on the tires, but now I just don't want to take away the daily driving fun i could have with a smaller set-up...similar in idea to your orange one Ive been seeing you build. Realistically (95% of time) im just going to be having family fun in the hills camping, mudding etc.

Option 1:
I think If I could find someone to trade me a set of 4" springs for my new 6" springs, Id be happy at the 7" lift mark (3 body 4 susp).

Option 2:
Ive contemplated a set of those Rough Country add-a-leafs, that you can add front and back for about 2"...Would give me a total of 7" in conjuction with my 2" rear block

Option3:
Is it possible to remove a leaf or 2 from a new 6" spring pack and get a 4" lift thats pretty soft and flexy?

Regards and much appreciated-RMK

[RckyMntnKng]

Weekend Progress

Pulled the PO's 2.5" Rancho lift and got the 6" TC springs in.

Awaiting the new perches and u-bolts for the 14 bolt to go in the rear.

[RckyMntnKng]

So far Ive got an extra 12 bolt rear and 2.5" Rancho lift thats not very old (maybe 2 years and literally no miles).

See the 14 bolt close up pic....PO cut the rubber brake line hose. How do I fix that? All new brake kit?

[Jtrux]

New brake line is in order. Aftermarket has all kinds of stuff available like stainless steel lines and what not.

[RckyMntnKng]

On the 14bff...installed Perches and shock mounts.

[RckyMntnKng]

A truck lift would be worth alot to me at this point....using some axle jacks and a hydraulic floor jack and shop crane, installed the 14bbff....whew my measurments were correct!

Here is the 36x14.50x16.5 SS truxsus rollers installed, on the rear w/ 9" lift

[RckyMntnKng]

My good digi camera got smushed in the airplane overhead on my last trip....hence the 2mp cell pics, sorry. Hurts me more than you.

[jamie72]

looking good!!

[RckyMntnKng]

First coat of the rattle can Spruce Green over Black.

D60 is getting prepped for front install this weekend.

Tube Bumpers are in Fab stage.

Drivelines are nearly ready to be lengthened and 1-ton'd

the 36x14.50's rollers look tiny under there. (but not as bad as the 31's up front haha)

[RckyMntnKng]

..

[RckyMntnKng]

Officially 1 tonned

[RckyMntnKng]

pic

[swyfor5]

Dude, your progress looks awesome! Keep the pic's coming!

[RckyMntnKng]

Weekend work.....

Drained both pumpkins and sanded down the covers, primer'd, and coated with the spruce body color.

Filled the 60 with 80w90 and the 14b with the same plus friction additive for the eaton.

My set of Bilstein 5100 series came in, so they went on too.

[RckyMntnKng]

Dont know how the previous owner maintained the d60...I can tell it had been off-road'd. The pumpkin cover was dented and a hi-lift block was already installed. Im going hi-steer crossover here in the next few weeks.

I went ahead and replaced the bearings and races, and now waiting on some new warn lock hubs.

Also had a set of new brake lines made. New all the way to the master cylinder. Hard lines and rubber. You can see them hanging on the rotor in the pic

[RckyMntnKng]

Here is a little comparison shot to help me feel better about progress....seems so freaking slow but its getting there.

These are a couple months apart.

Second pic is one of my buddys and my son wishing they could drive it.

[RckyMntnKng]

Would look pretty mean with some 38x15.50's........

[jaros44sr]

[QUOTE=RckyMntnKng;3302201

Also had a set of new brake lines made. New all the way to the master cylinder. Hard lines and rubber. You can see them hanging on the rotor in the pic[/QUOTE]

Can you tell me where you had them made, I don't want braided SS, and the original look alot better. My PO mounted them on an angle bracket for the 4" lift and I think it looks like crap...

Trucks looking good, even a little progress is good. Wheels and tires, plus the lift make it really look nice