My lift kit review

[Jason915]

I thought I would post my experience with my lift kits that I have. I have noticed allot of fellow Blazer/Jimmy owners have asked me about my truck and Blazer lifts and how I like them so I wanted to create a post that compares my experiences as well as anyone else that wants to add theirs.

My SWB GMC has a Skyjacker Softride 4" full spring kit and my Blazer now has a Tuff Country EZ Ride 2" with rear blocks. The Blazer only sits one inch lower than my truck so I got closer to 3" out of the Tuff country. I paid around $700 for my Skyjacker and $550 for the EZ ride that came with shocks from suspensionconnection.com. I like both Softride and EZ ride but the Skyjacker is hands down the better ride. The Tuff Country is not a harsh or stiff ride but just a bit firmer, and the spring rate seems to gradually get firmer as the spring bounds on larger bumps, they also seem to rebound sort of abruptly. I would compare the Tuff Country ride quality to a stock ¾ ton. The Softride has the smoothest articulation of any leaf spring kit I have ever experienced, people have told me that you’re paying for the Skyjacker name and I disagree, your paying for ride quality.

Other lift kits I have either installed and owned or helped installed and drove and ride in vehicles with them

Rancho= good name but lack of overall quality and stiff ride
Rough Country=cheap and surprisingly decent build quality but super stiff ride
Warn/ Black Diamond=ok build quality ok ride nothing to brag about

Skyjacker Softride=good build quality and the best ride from a leaf spring cost is more than most
Tuff Country=great build quality great price, decent ride

These are just my personal experience and opinions I am not knocking any brand particularly or endorsing any feel free to share your experiences.

[makovai]

Thought I'd help with my 2¢.
I pretty much agree with everything Jason says, as I've had many, many lifted rigs. The skyjacker is the best ride i've felt, but on the other hand "is it worth double the price"? Prolly not.
The superlifts are much less expensive and they have a nice quality to them. But dont ride quite as nice as the skyjacker. Rancho is all name. Trailmaster's doesn't have alot for this vintage car but there newer stuff is less expensive and seems to be ok. I had 6" lift in my 02 crew cab silverado and it was inexpensive, and an ok lift.

I notice jason talked about tough country. Thats prolly the only brand i haven't dealt with. Good insight. I never thought about using them.

[lawricker]

I have a set of rough country, with shocks, brake lines and steering adapter. I haven't put it on (in process of frame off) 1971 blazer. any hints before I put it on? The kit cost me nothing so it is what I will use...lol

[Jason915]

I had a Rough country on my truck it was a 4" and I added some leafs in the rear along with a caster shim/block to compensate ride height. They are good springs just too firm for my taste, you may find them to be just fine though. As for installing hints I have found that they are easier to install when you take about 1/16th of an inch off of each poly bushing for the front so they will slide into the perch much easier. And it's a good time to replace the upper leaf shackle bushings.

[ND_guy]

The 4" rancho kit was a waste of my money. I recently rode in a skyjacker equiped pickup it rode so much better than my rancho.

4" rancho lift for sale CHEAP!!

[Jason915]

Just an update I went from 265 75 R16 on my K5 to 33X12.50 R15 and it did make it ride better but still not as good as my GMC.

[special-K]

I put 4" EZ-Rides all the way around on my`92 3/4t Suburban and it rides much better now,no more jarring.I`m using the Rancho 9000RSXs on softest setting,also.I think these are the best shocks I have ever used.I highly recomend them.I don`t know about the "9" settings,though,kinda gimmicky there.I think stiff/medium/soft is all you need and using them that way there is definately a difference in each setting.

[Jason915]

I thought about using those shocks but gezz they cost alot