1985 Custom Deluxe 4x4 -- I want it lifted...

[68Timber]

You can really do this on a budget with the 3" lift I linked if you run 33" tires. On the gearing, the general consensus is 33's and 3.73's are perfection. If you have 3.42's you're not far off enough to justify re-gearing - it will not drive poorly.

I had one K5 that I lifted 2.5" and went with 33's and never got around to re-gearing. It had the stock 3.08 gears and it ran around fine, I drove it 8 years like that. You have to keep in mind that chasing perfection on a lifted truck can get very expensive. With the gearing you have, you can go 3" over 33's or 4" over 35's and not re-gear and still love the truck. KISS.

[shovelbill]

KISS.

took me many years to learn that one......at least she's learning a tad.

how do you like those Tuff Country shocks for a daily driver and moderate wheeler?

[freddiesgirl]

Originally Posted by shovelbill

took me many years to learn that one......at least she's learning a tad.

how do you like those Tuff Country shocks for a daily driver and moderate wheeler?

whats that mean

[68Timber]

I've always used the Rancho RS5000 shocks with good results. They're priced at entry level but perform really well on a driver.

[shovelbill]

means that you're learning about gear ratios the easy way, haha. you don't need to swap anything like we said.........just read about it.

KISS......now that's a secret

[shovelbill]

i used the Rancho shocks a long while ago. i'm not familiar with the TC SX6000 or their Nitrogen shocks.

so for like $600 bucks she can have a decent lift...

[freddiesgirl]

Originally Posted by shovelbill

means that you're learning about gear ratios the easy way, haha. you don't need to swap anything like we said.........just read about it.

KISS......now that's a secret

lol i figured it out

[68Timber]

The Rancho RS5000's do a great job. They're soft, and it helps with the ride.

[shovelbill]

Originally Posted by BRUISER

The Rancho RS5000's do a great job. They're soft, and it helps with the ride.

that's what i'm looking for. i wonder if OME makes shocks that would fit the requirements for a K5? i'm going to go look

lol i figured it out

that was easy...er, simple

[MikeJones16]

Originally Posted by hatt

You have 4.11s in the truck in your link?

Got 4:10's on my mustang with 28" tall slicks.

[Long79]

no reason to spend the money on the rancho shocks, unless you want an adjustable one. Skyjacker makes an amazing shock that you can buy anywhere for 30 bucks each, you want a softer ride you get the one's w/o nitrogen charge called "hydro's" if you want more handling, which come's with a little stiffer ride get the "nitros".
Rough country is made buy superlift just there bottom end company, both company's use the same shock made by heckathorn(not sure of the spelling) not a bad shock at all they also have the hydro or nitro option. Superlift's springs do ride better.
Tuff country will beat you up, pretty rough ride.
I would go with skyjacker everything, the ride is great, but you will pay more, if trying to save some go with superlift, trying to go cheap go with rough country.

[Stroked87K10]

I wouldn't be too worried about gears just yet. I'd wait to see how she drives after doing the lift and tires. If you are unhappy with the way the truck gets up and goes after the fact then you can consider gears. My 08 Wrangler has 4 inch lift, 35's on stock 3.21 gears... It's not fast but on the road it drives fine. My K10 sadly i don't know what it's running for gears but i'm around 4 inches of lift and 35's. I'm really happy with the size and height of the truck. It's not the biggest truck out there but i think it's just right. It's not a drag truck but she goes down the road just fine. You're truck looks great as is, and if you went a little higher with bigger tires it'd be even better....

[timjt]

I had the same question (and similar truck)...
What I'm gathering is that I can put a 3 inch lift on, but I will need new shocks (which I need anyway) and I will not HAVE to lengthen the brake lines or anything else or adjust the gearing BUT it would be better if I did.
I guess my question is... Can I just bolt up a 3 inch lift, add new shocks, buy some slightly larger tires (larger than my p275/60) for my r15 rims and drive away?

[shovelbill]

you'll need to adjust your bumpstops and relocate your brake lines too. a beefier stabilizer wouldn't hurt either. don't bother with anything else unless it becomes an issue for you down the road. that's where the K.I.S.S comes in

[scottsdaleowner75]

Believe me if you have SM465 4 speed with 3.42 gearing on a 35" tire you will probably not need to gear it higher. If it were me though at a minimum you are going to need a 4.10 gear both front and rear. Do yourself a favor and gear it correctly. A lot of people dont realize how much is involved if you want to lift a truck CORRECTLY. Brake lines, shocks, steering components, gearing all needs to be addressed or you will be just making a pavement pounder.

[timjt]

I just started working on cars/trucks 3 years ago on an 'as need' basis so I'm really new to all this so please don't laugh.... What are the bump stops and how do I find out what my gearing is? How much is it to adjust the gearing? For example I can adjust my carb but if its the jets then I need to buy new ones... so am I looking at buying gearboxes or is it just an adjustment? again, Im SUPER new. got to learn somewhere!

[Stroked87K10]

Adjusting the gearing means changing the ring and pinion gears in the differentials. If you truck is 4x4 then you need to re-gear the front differential and rear differential. If it is only 2 wheel drive then naturally you only have a rear differential so you need only to change the gears there. When running larger then stock tires on a truck you lose a lot of acceleration due to the larger tires. It is suggested to regear to a bigger gear to gain some of that pep or acceleration back. That way the engine won't have to struggle as much to get the truck up and running.

[timjt]

How much work is that? I've taken out and taken apart a 700r4 Is it any more complicated than that?

[shovelbill]

tim...look in you glove box for a sticker, that should have the RPO codes and will tell you what gear ratio your truck was built with. no guarantee someone hasn't changed them out though....unless you know the history of the truck. if you have "stockish" tires now you can jack up the rear(both wheels up), put it in neutral, mark the tire and drive shaft with a marker(one line) and turn the tire one complete revolution. if your drive shaft spins around 3.5ish full turns you can figure you have 3.42's, 3 3/4 times you got 3.73's....etc. if your tires are not stock this will tell you your effective gear ratio. hope this helps.

bump stops are the rubber isolators on the chassis above the axle. they stop upward motion of that side as the vehicle articulates.

[timjt]

Thanks! I'll check that tomorrow. I took off work to work on the truck because the rebuilt transmission is pumping all the oil out of the overflow valve on top and I know its not overfilled, my tire just blew and my radiator just cracked and is spraying all over the place...

[1985-GMC]

That's a sharp looking truck Hannah! Blue is my favorite color, oh and its a 4 speed.

[freddiesgirl]

Originally Posted by 1985-GMC

That's a sharp looking truck Hannah! Blue is my favorite color, oh and its a 4 speed.

Thanks man!! you just made my day!!

[1985-GMC]

Haha no problem!