1990 1/2 Ton 2wd SUBURBAN LIFT OPTIONS

[SUBURBAN MAN]

I just bought a 1990 1/2 Ton 2wd Suburban I know I cant lift it to the moon or anything but I am looking for 3 to maybe 5 inches of lift. Just enough to give it a more aggressive look and maybe run some larger tires. Just wondering what can be done? Give me some Ideas. on how to go about it. ???3/4 ton suspension swap??? ???Bigger springs up front blocks in the rear??? By the way how big of a tire could I run with a 3 to 5 inch lift? Thank you for any help.

[72freak]

Fabtech has everything you need if you want a good suspension lift. You can also do a body lift for cheap. 33" tires is probably going to be about the biggest without some serious work and $$$

[Jonboy]

If you aren't going to see much off road and just want the look, you can get away with 35's and 4" of lift with a little trimming on the bottom of the fender. 33's will work great with 4" lift, and it is pretty easy to do. With a 4" lift, you really don't need extended brake lines, dropped steering link, or transfer case drop. Pretty much just front springs, rear blocks, steering arm and shocks. With a 6" lift, you will want to do the brake lines, drop the transfer case a bit, and do the steering link. Your truck may already have double shocks in the front; if not add them with the 6" lift. The last truck I lifted, we did the steering link and double front shocks, and it made a world of difference. That was a 75 Blazer, 6" lift and 35" tires. I have had good luck withteh 4 wheel parts wholesalers house branded lift kits, they are made by Pro-Comp and are pretty affordable.

[SUBURBAN MAN]

Thanks guys!!! Keep them coming folks. Oh, Jonboy it doesn't have a transfer case it's a 2wd. BTW 72 thats a sweet Suburban in your avatar. I'd love to see more pics of it.

[aggiedave98]

Ok, Suburban Man, welcome to my life w/ my '89 2wd Suburban!! I've done lots to it (from a lift to tranny rebuild... doing the engine this fall, etc) so feel free to PM met if you have questions...

Now as far as the lift goes, you're a little screwed... the only one I could find for mine (and yours) was the fabtech 3" lift w/ ball joint spacers and new springs up front and 2" blocks or lifted leaf springs in the back...

There are not that many lift kits, etc for our year trucks and especially for the 2wd's... in fact the ONLY one I could find was the fabtech... so good luck w/ a 5" lift.... except if you do a body lift for part of it...

I did 32" BFG's (x11.5 width) for mine and they fit pretty well but will rub a little when I am going out my driveway and am turning almost 90 degrees...

[SUBURBAN MAN]

I read of a 4 inch spindle lift. Not sure but I think it was a FabTech product. Is this the same kit you speak of? Either way do you have a link you could post so I could view exactly the kit you are talking about? Sounds like that may be the way I'l be going. Thank you very much.

[aggiedave98]

No, mine was a 3" with just new springs and ball joint spacers, not new spindles.

take a look at this link at the bottom:

http://www.dogsofdesign.com/fabtechp...3-98c1500.html

1973-1987 Chevrolet/GMC C10 2WD 5 Lug Truck/Suburban

I can't remember if I ever found the spindle one or not... there may have been one... fabtech seemed to be the only company that had anything for the 2wd, so you may want to give them a call.

[SUBURBAN MAN]

Thanks a LOT guys!!! aggieDave the link will be a BIG help. It's pretty hard to find 2wd parts as you know. Anyone else with ideas or links feel free to reply. Thanks again.

[Sickboy73]

I have an 87 GMC 3/4 ton 2wd with 3" Coil and ball joint spacer up front and 2" Block rear. It sits on 33" BFG A/T (which soon will be Mud Terrains). The 33's do rub (driver side only) when I pull out of my driveway and when I'm turning left and hit a dip/bump or pulling into a driveway. The kit is from Fabtech and is a half ton kit. Here is another kit tha will work check out this link .
http://www.4x4cyberstore.com/website/fabtech.html

[aggiedave98]

sickboy, cool!!! when did they come out w/ the new one?!? yours is the same as mine right w/ just the spacer and coil, not new control arms and tie rods, right?

did you have a problem w/ alignment? My alignment shop had a tough time getting the alignment right w/ the new angles from the kit...

[Sickboy73]

The new kit has been out for awhile now. All my Burban has is the 3" Coil and ball joint spacer up front and nothing else. No problems with the alignment I actually had it done in some shop in Tijuana,Mexico. The guy at the shop does real awsome work on the alignment. My Brother in Law had a 4x4 Toyota that he could not get aligned correctly at any shop in So Cal that he took it to and this guy in TJ got it going straight as an arrow not even Dick Cepeck (when they were around and install the suspension kit) could get it done. Anyway I love the stance on my Burban, I go to Baja Califonia alot so the hight is just right. Like any project it's still work in progress. I am planning to install new front coils from Rancho and new shocks (possibly Fox Shox) and switching out the rear springs for Deaver Springs to soften up the ride (3/4 ton springs are a pretty hard ride). Most likely wont be done till next year since I have other expenses to make at the moment.

[aggiedave98]

I just put on rancho 9000's and the guage/adjuster inside and love them!!!

let me know how the springs are because my 2" lifted springs in the rear are still a little too springy...