87 2wd 1/2 ton lift - Page 2 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

raycow · 10-17-2010, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1FASTHOE

Here's the 3/4 arms, i dont see a difference other then the zerk fittings and ball joint..

When you say the ball joints are different, are you seeing a difference in the taper diameter?

Ray

1FASTHOE · 10-17-2010, 09:41 PM

OK, you busted me. just the zerk fitting

i did call my local parts shop and they the difference between 1/2 and 3/4 ton is huge, not only in diameter, but also weight

Prerunner1982 · 10-18-2010, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raycow

When you say the ball joints are different, are you seeing a difference in the taper diameter?
Ray

The diameter of the ball joint "base" where is fits into the control arm is different than the 1/2 tons... or should be.. that is the reason for swapping the arms. I would assume the "shaft" diameter/taper is different as well or else you could use the 1/2 ton ball joints as well...

1FASTHOE · 10-18-2010, 08:32 PM

HOLY CRAP.... i just did some research on ball joints and found brand new control arms for 100 bucks and it comes with the lower ball joint...
so if you guys are thinking about doing this lift, i would suggest going new.
i would if i did it over again. i spent 3 hours cleaning the ones i got from the bone yard... just some FYI for ya

Prerunner1982 · 10-27-2010, 01:45 PM

Any updates?

1FASTHOE · 10-27-2010, 06:59 PM

between life and bills.....you know
hope to have it together by the end of the year, if not sooner...
you dont have any spare cash laying around do you ? i'll pay ya back....no really

Prerunner1982 · 10-27-2010, 07:14 PM

lol I understand... seemed you making good progress so I thought I would check..

1FASTHOE · 10-30-2010, 06:18 PM

Installed a add-a-leaf to the rear, i couldn't take it being so low any longer.

1FASTHOE · 10-30-2010, 06:20 PM

here's a shot of the front too...

1FASTHOE · 10-30-2010, 11:17 PM

finally went down the to parts store and took the 4" lift spindle with me to if the 3/4 ton ball joints would fit....well quess what....they dont fit.
i even had the 3/4 ton a arm with me to compair it with...no luck
so i asked the guy for half ton joints and they seem to fit...
so i have to ask, why did i need to buy 3/4 ton control arms when my 1/2 ton arms will work, they are the same size, length and width...?
i didnt buy any joints today and i was researching parts numbers, 88 compaired to 87....they are the same part number, 88 1/2 ton truck to 87 1/2 ton suburban....any ideas boys ?

Prerunner1982 · 11-11-2010, 06:43 PM

I am sorry if I mis-lead you...I was just passing the information as I understood it. Unfortunately that is part of the process of being the first to do it and do a write up on it. Keep a record of the parts and part #s for the write up so there won't be any confusion... as there seems to be now.

I as understood it, the 88+ lower ball joint was larger than the 73-87... so an A-arm with a larger hole was necessary.

1FASTHOE · 11-13-2010, 04:31 PM

i knew before jumping ahead this was going to be hit and miss, so dont worry about it prerunner.
let me ask this, what do you think about just installing 3/4 springs to the front of my sub ? there only 90 bucks a set.

Matt Man · 11-15-2010, 12:53 AM

i would throw some 1 ton diesel or severe duty coils in it, and maybe a coil spacer.

Prerunner1982 · 11-16-2010, 12:07 PM

I am not sure if there is a difference between 3/4 ton and 1 ton/diesel coils... if there is you might as well go with the 1tons...

I have HD front coils which I believe to be 1ton/diesel coils and it leveled my truck out front to back...the back is still stock. So I would say it gave me 1-1.5" of lift.

However from the pictures it appears you suburban already sits pretty level. Maybe it is just the perspective of the camera..... but it looks like the back end does not sit higher than the rear as a truck normally would. It is pretty typical of a Suburban to sit with it's rear lower.. If you put HD coils in the front you might end up with the front higher than the rear...

1FASTHOE · 11-17-2010, 09:01 PM

are 1 ton springs going to make the ride very rough ?
and also, whats the tallest tire i could install without rubbing to bad,i have 31" on now.
tallest tire after the coils...

78c10 · 01-11-2011, 01:28 PM

Any progess? Curious about this swap myself, just want it to ride higher to make it through the occasional floodwaters around here (I know better than to drive into moving water, though)

Billybob13 · 01-13-2011, 10:33 PM

just out of curiosity why didnt yah buy a body lift instead of this hassle that might fall apart in time?

Prerunner1982 · 01-14-2011, 10:00 AM

In my opinion body lifts look cheap.. you end up with a gap between the body and frame, which stresses the body mounts especially in the bed if you haul things. Your bumpers don't look right unless you got the bumper relocaters, you still have to adjust things and fix things (lower fan shroud, steering column, shift linkage, wiring, etc.).

Billybob13 · 01-14-2011, 05:53 PM

makes enough sense

lsp1369 · 01-20-2011, 12:51 AM

anyone have any idea where you might be able to get a coil spacer for these trucks.. i have a 73 2wd and i swapped for the 1 ton springs but i just need a little more to get the look i want..

1fasthoe.. keep up the good work id like to see how this one turns out. and those spindles look pretty stout.. where did you get them? price?

10-17-2010, 09:41 PM	#27
1FASTHOE Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: GILBERT,AZ. Posts: 30	Re: 87 2wd 1/2 ton lift OK, you busted me. just the zerk fitting i did call my local parts shop and they the difference between 1/2 and 3/4 ton is huge, not only in diameter, but also weight

10-18-2010, 08:32 PM	#29
1FASTHOE Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: GILBERT,AZ. Posts: 30	Re: 87 2wd 1/2 ton lift HOLY CRAP.... i just did some research on ball joints and found brand new control arms for 100 bucks and it comes with the lower ball joint... so if you guys are thinking about doing this lift, i would suggest going new. i would if i did it over again. i spent 3 hours cleaning the ones i got from the bone yard... just some FYI for ya

10-27-2010, 01:45 PM	#30
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	Re: 87 2wd 1/2 ton lift Any updates? __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

10-27-2010, 06:59 PM	#31
1FASTHOE Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: GILBERT,AZ. Posts: 30	Re: 87 2wd 1/2 ton lift between life and bills.....you know hope to have it together by the end of the year, if not sooner... you dont have any spare cash laying around do you ? i'll pay ya back....no really

10-27-2010, 07:14 PM	#32
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	Re: 87 2wd 1/2 ton lift lol I understand... seemed you making good progress so I thought I would check.. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

10-30-2010, 06:18 PM	#33
1FASTHOE Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: GILBERT,AZ. Posts: 30	Re: 87 2wd 1/2 ton lift Installed a add-a-leaf to the rear, i couldn't take it being so low any longer.

10-30-2010, 06:20 PM	#34
1FASTHOE Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: GILBERT,AZ. Posts: 30	Re: 87 2wd 1/2 ton lift here's a shot of the front too...

10-30-2010, 11:17 PM	#35
1FASTHOE Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: GILBERT,AZ. Posts: 30	Re: 87 2wd 1/2 ton lift finally went down the to parts store and took the 4" lift spindle with me to if the 3/4 ton ball joints would fit....well quess what....they dont fit. i even had the 3/4 ton a arm with me to compair it with...no luck so i asked the guy for half ton joints and they seem to fit... so i have to ask, why did i need to buy 3/4 ton control arms when my 1/2 ton arms will work, they are the same size, length and width...? i didnt buy any joints today and i was researching parts numbers, 88 compaired to 87....they are the same part number, 88 1/2 ton truck to 87 1/2 ton suburban....any ideas boys ?

11-11-2010, 06:43 PM	#36
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	Re: 87 2wd 1/2 ton lift I am sorry if I mis-lead you...I was just passing the information as I understood it. Unfortunately that is part of the process of being the first to do it and do a write up on it. Keep a record of the parts and part #s for the write up so there won't be any confusion... as there seems to be now. I as understood it, the 88+ lower ball joint was larger than the 73-87... so an A-arm with a larger hole was necessary. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call Last edited by Prerunner1982; 11-11-2010 at 06:44 PM.

11-13-2010, 04:31 PM	#37
1FASTHOE Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: GILBERT,AZ. Posts: 30	Re: 87 2wd 1/2 ton lift i knew before jumping ahead this was going to be hit and miss, so dont worry about it prerunner. let me ask this, what do you think about just installing 3/4 springs to the front of my sub ? there only 90 bucks a set.

11-15-2010, 12:53 AM	#38
Matt Man Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Buhl, Idaho Posts: 1,438	Re: 87 2wd 1/2 ton lift i would throw some 1 ton diesel or severe duty coils in it, and maybe a coil spacer. __________________ 86 c30 crew cab dually 454/400 4/6 drop SOLD 1-8-11 1981 chevy K10 short Bed Scottsdale SOLD 10-26-2020 67 GMC Stepside Straight six/3 on the tree "The Peach" 2020 Silverado Double Cab LT Z71 5.3 8 speed Daily Driver K10 build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=671934 The Peach build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=733903

11-16-2010, 12:07 PM	#39
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	Re: 87 2wd 1/2 ton lift I am not sure if there is a difference between 3/4 ton and 1 ton/diesel coils... if there is you might as well go with the 1tons... I have HD front coils which I believe to be 1ton/diesel coils and it leveled my truck out front to back...the back is still stock. So I would say it gave me 1-1.5" of lift. However from the pictures it appears you suburban already sits pretty level. Maybe it is just the perspective of the camera..... but it looks like the back end does not sit higher than the rear as a truck normally would. It is pretty typical of a Suburban to sit with it's rear lower.. If you put HD coils in the front you might end up with the front higher than the rear... __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

11-17-2010, 09:01 PM	#40
1FASTHOE Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: GILBERT,AZ. Posts: 30	Re: 87 2wd 1/2 ton lift are 1 ton springs going to make the ride very rough ? and also, whats the tallest tire i could install without rubbing to bad,i have 31" on now. tallest tire after the coils... Last edited by 1FASTHOE; 11-17-2010 at 09:04 PM.

01-11-2011, 01:28 PM	#41
78c10 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 6	Re: 87 2wd 1/2 ton lift Any progess? Curious about this swap myself, just want it to ride higher to make it through the occasional floodwaters around here (I know better than to drive into moving water, though)

01-13-2011, 10:33 PM	#42
Billybob13 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ingram, Texas Posts: 106	Re: 87 2wd 1/2 ton lift just out of curiosity why didnt yah buy a body lift instead of this hassle that might fall apart in time? __________________ '83 chevy c-10 scottsdale 400 cid 2wd "chelsea"



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01-14-2011, 10:00 AM	#43
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	Re: 87 2wd 1/2 ton lift In my opinion body lifts look cheap.. you end up with a gap between the body and frame, which stresses the body mounts especially in the bed if you haul things. Your bumpers don't look right unless you got the bumper relocaters, you still have to adjust things and fix things (lower fan shroud, steering column, shift linkage, wiring, etc.). __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

01-14-2011, 05:53 PM	#44
Billybob13 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ingram, Texas Posts: 106	Re: 87 2wd 1/2 ton lift makes enough sense __________________ '83 chevy c-10 scottsdale 400 cid 2wd "chelsea"

01-20-2011, 12:51 AM	#45
lsp1369 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: yucaipa,ca Posts: 41	Re: 87 2wd 1/2 ton lift anyone have any idea where you might be able to get a coil spacer for these trucks.. i have a 73 2wd and i swapped for the 1 ton springs but i just need a little more to get the look i want.. 1fasthoe.. keep up the good work id like to see how this one turns out. and those spindles look pretty stout.. where did you get them? price? Last edited by lsp1369; 01-20-2011 at 12:51 AM.

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