Lift kit questions

[Scott Johnson]

What brand lift kit do you have? What inch lift is it, and do you like it?

[vtblazer]

Not really that simple...
You'll want to know ride quality, usage and expense if your shopping around.

What are you looking to do with your lift?
Run the roads, woods, mud or rocks?

An all spring lift is best but more money.
Small, big or bigger, what are you looking for?
Are you planning on new shocks too?

Thick, low leaf count packs will ride harsh.
Thin, multi spring packs will ride nice and flex better but cost more.

[benoit454]

I paid about 375 total for my lift.

rough country 4 inch lift, front springs, rear blocks, 4 shocks and boots, raised steering arm, new poly bushings. I paid 310 shipped for that, but bought a new steering stabilizer, and needed sway bar drop brackets, thoose both cost about 75 bucks shipped.

So there's 375 roughly.

Rides ok, was rough before, someone added one extra leaf in the front from a blazer to make the front level with the rear, and the shocks where all junk.

Now it's smoother but bouncy somewhat on bumps.

I like it.

Rough country has 2 inch and 6 inch also.

Jcwhitney is where I bought mine, it cost like 249 or so for the 2 inch w/ no shocks, when I seen the 4 inch with shocks for 300 i couldn't pass it up.

[Scott Johnson]

I am thinking about a 6 inch lift, all springs and new shocks. It will mainly be driven on the road, only occansionally off road, so I would like it smooth. I hope to get the kit and shocks for under $900 if possible. I plan on buying the lift within the next two months and was just wondering what folks are running and if they are satisfied with the brand they purchased.

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by Scott Johnson

I am thinking about a 6 inch lift, all springs and new shocks. It will mainly be driven on the road, only occansionally off road, so I would like it smooth. I hope to get the kit and shocks for under $900 if possible. I plan on buying the lift within the next two months and was just wondering what folks are running and if they are satisfied with the brand they purchased.

IMO the best ride quality out there is Alcan.
Check em out.

[Yukon Jack]

I'm pleased with the Tuff Country springs I'm using on my 69 K20. I do hear good things about the Alcan's mentioned by vtblazer. Offroad design is a good place to buy Tuff Country products, www.offroaddesign.com

[benoit454]

www.roughcountry.com

Check them out and see what they have, once you click on the make, model and 6 inch lift, you can choose the rear spring option and then put in your ZIP for a complete est. on cost.

[see ten]

My K10 has a Skyjacker 4" softride system with new springs front and rear. The steering arm was swapped out along with the shocks. The brake lines were also upgraded to braided stainless steel units. I'm happy with it, yeah it bounces pretty good when you go over a bridge or hit a dip in the road. I never added any longer bumpstops which might have cut back on the bouncing a bit. I guess it rides as good as you would expect a 30+ year old lifted truck with no swaybars and tractor tires to . I have driven it on several 4-10 hour trips on the highway and its manners are more than acceptable.

[Scott Johnson]

Thanks for all the info. guys, that gives me a few things to consider. The Alcan set-up looks really good if I can afford it. See Ten, awesome truck, hope my Burb turns out half as nice.

[Jason915]

Skyjacker Softride is the only way to go in terms of ride quility. JMO

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

I am happy with my skyjacker lifts. I have also heard some good stuff about the Alcan lifts but have no personal expeirence with them. Heard lots of good stuff about TuffCountry and know a couple people that are very happy with their lifts from there.
-Later

[Zoomad75]

Here's a really, really general rule of thumb on solid axle chevy lift kits. The less you pay the rougher the ride. Buy what you can afford.

Pay more and generally, they ride better. Still, the ride quality is very subjective from person to person, truck to truck.

I've got 4" rough country springs up front and an echobit shackle flip in the rear (stock rear leafs, no blocks). Front is stiff as my front end is pretty light, no bumper, no winch, small block. Might ride softer with a little more weight on them. Even still, the ride is not bone jarring or teeth rattling on the street. The rear setup really off-sets the front as it is super soft. Using a stock spring with almost no arch it flexes really well. For me the low cost of the Rough country kit ($300 out the door with free shipping from JCW) was what I was going after and could compremise on the ride quality a little. The key to the RC kit was 4 new shocks, raised steering arm and all the hardware for the low price. Add those to a higher priced brand and now you've got $500 or more for a kit. For me new anything was better than the worn out stuff I had.

Off road with the tires at 15 psi it rides nicer than on pavement. The last trail ride I made proved it's worth. Flexed good on the rocks and traveled the two tracks and access dirt roads at higher speeds like it was paved.

Go over to www.ck5.com and look at thier chart of spring rates for the most common lift kit companies.

[Scott Johnson]

Thanks for the all the info. Has anyone heard any feedback on Superlift? Both Skyjacker and Superlift are located in my hometown, so I will probably purchase one or the other. I know Skyjacker will be more expensive, i just want to get the best lift for the money. Still considering the Alcan set-up, it would be nice to have a lift designed specifically for my truck and driving style.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Superlifts are also pretty good. I have heard alot of good stuff about them. Both my '79 truck and my '81 K-5 Blazer came with SkyJacker lifts and I am very happy with them. Mostly just personell preference I think. Let me know what u end up getting.
-Later

[2wheeler]

I picked up Procomp 6" lift springs front and rear, 4 Rancho shocks, raised steering arm and extended brake lines for $1,500 Canadian at Lordco

I think the only problem with an automatic is then the front drive shaft doesn't fit

[bigarmzz]

my personal opinion, based soley on what i've had myself, not hearsay-

Tuff country or skyjacker is the best riding, but also the most expensive