I wish I was taller!

[Joey-D]

My truck is an 85 SWB on 38.5" and a 8" super lift springs. I want to go more ground clearance. I know short with larger tires is key, a low center of gravity, but everytime I go wheeling I get high centered on the transfercase crossmember. I know I can get 4" more inches using a shackle flip in rear while improving the pinion angle for almost free, but what can I do in front? I don't want to put out another couple hundred on larger front springs, any suggestions?

[1FaastC10]

longer shackles up front, or Unimog portals come to mind...

[Destructo]

Your not going to be able to get 4" without springs. You might can get 2" without springs at the most and thats using ORD zero-rate leaves in the front which give you one inch and then longer shackles, but longer shackles on an already pretty tall rig might put your front driveshaft at a bad angle but I guess you could get some angled zero-rates to help cure that.

[GreenMystChevy]

What about finding an extremely good welder and having your front spring hanger dropped down. I have seen people basically weld in a block to extend the front spring mount. I would figure that a 2" block would give you about another 1" drop altogether, not quite sure though. This would also help your pinion angle. I'm not sure how safe or legal this is but I have seen it a few times before, just never been able to talk to anyone who has actually done it.

[LONGHAIR]

You have to be very careful about using wedges on the front axle. The tilting upward of the pinion also changes the caster. If you get to the point of zero or negative caster you will learn the definition of ugly handling really quickly.

Taller tires will help your clearence problems too. Cutout fender flares can get you more tire space w/o lifting the suspension of the truck.

[drink2mny]

You could put a 2 or 3in body lift and bigger tires while also rotating your transfercase..
I have seen some 208s turned to get more clearance..

Just some ideas

[1FaastC10]

are you a member of CK5? if so, PM big83chevy4x4, he has a clocked 208.

[Joey-D]

rotating the transfercase, never heard of it, sound like a great idea though. I will search for more info, but any you have would be appreciated!
As far as bigger tires, I only have 4.10s., granted a granny low, but I wouldn't want to go any bigger without more gear, she already bucks like a bull on take offs in 1st, tend to use granny just to move!

[Devil'S Ride]

just a thought, but if you wanted to add about 4-5 inches up front do the conversion to a rear leaf spring from a K-5 Blazer. That would give you about equal lift to a shakle flip in the rear. Its not a hard process either. i am currently collecting parts to do my own.....

just a thought for ya.

[1FaastC10]

if you're really doing any serious offroading, i would advise against more lift. your truck is higher than most serious wheelers as it is. my buddy had 6" suspension/3" body lift on his, and flopped it on its side. went home, removed the body lift, and has been back to the same spot he flopped it at, no problems the second time. he runs a 465/205 in the stock location (no lift, no lower, no clock) and doesnt have any problems with getting high centered. if you're serious about increasing ground clearance, look into clocking the case, thats the lowest point in the center of the truck, and where you'll gain the most without compromising your CG, and causing your truck to be rollover prone.

[drink2mny]

I would have to agree with 1faastc10..
I run 36's and 38's on my blazer with 6 1/2 in suspension and 2 in body.
with the 700r4 and 208 (just waiting for her to let got then the 205 will be up in there).
I haven't done serious rock crawling but have been in some hard core ruts and rock piles.. I still have the stock skid plate under my 208.. I have never hit it..What kind of trails you on??

And noticed some guys have already tried to help with th clocking question on pirates..http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...light=clocking

[1FaastC10]

just out of curiousity, what does your kit for the D60 run? and what all does it include?

[Joey-D]

The nearest trail around here is one they don't want people to get in. It runs along a river and to help when flooded and to keep people out, they came along and dug a 3' ditch on the side of the road. Then took the dirt and added it right next to it. So you have to go down 3', up 6', then back down 3'. Last time I got high center just going in and had to winch myself before I was even off the road! It was at george winter state park along the meremac if anyone knows where that is. I really want a flatter belly and I think clocking will solve my problem. I know large tires with good range of motion and a low center of gravity is key, but the devil on the other shoulder is saying taller! He wants the biggest truck in town. But safety is definatly number one.

One more thing, this k5 rear spring conversion; does it add 4" to stock trucks, or 12" to stock trucks. I already have 8" of lift. I would like to know on that, wether I do it or not, you can never have to much knowledge about these trucks and there conversions. I had my bosses jaw drop when I awwed him with the differences between a 67-72 chevy trucks today!

[1FaastC10]

adds 4-5" up front, and moves the axle a few inches forward.

[Joey-D]

I posted this along time ago, found it again when I was searching but.....
I am now going with duece and a half rockwells and 46's and clocking the transfer case. I am also doing a shackle flip in the back with rear front shckle mounts. But on the front I still need 4 more inches. I plan on welding on longer frontmost spring perches plus longer shackles in rear of the front spring. There is a lack of info on this subject (Welding front mounts on anyhow). Anyone have any info. I have seen it done time and time again, mostly on solid front axle conversion (i.e. 88-98 chevy trucks) but haven't talk to anyone though. I was thinking 8 in tube steel cut to a rounded angle for the frontaxle.

[Mudder]

Just wondering where you get your truck inspected?????

[784X4GUY]

I've seen some guys with just 6" of lift go through some pretty rough stuff...Later Mike

[Joey-D]

I know, one side of me want to go real big, height wise, so I can have the bign't truck around. BUT I know better, the only reason I am going bigger now, is so I will have no problem with my top loaders and oil pan. I am going to hack the hell out of fenders to clear the the tires. I have seen a k5 with 52 on duece and a halfs with only 6 inches of lift, but I really don't want to run big bump stops to waste my articulation. I started my tear down today ans say a flaw in my plan, the spring mount are on the side of the frame, not the middle. No biggy, I got the idea fron and 88-98 chevy with a solid axle conversion.

Mudder I don't know if you are kidding are not, but I go to Joe Bess auto in lemay. Normally its $25 for a no look but, he had pitty on me and gave it to me for $12 saying that I needed all the money possible for gas for my rig.