8-10" of lift

[Wildstreak]

I have a 70 k10 and would like to get about 8-10" of lift. I was wondering which is the best way to go about this. Just go for a spring kit from skyjacker or w/e other company, or do a shackle flip then get a spring lift or?? I'm new to lifting trucks so I was wondering what other problems I'm going to run into and should replace like high steer, and drive shaft angles. Any info is a huge help, thanks in advance

[gerfunken]

I put in a Superlift 6" lift kit with a new steering arm. Decided to go with springs in the rear, and have been really happy with those. The shackle flip tends to alter how the rear axle sits in the wheelwells. Also didn't want to block the rear end with 30 year old springs back there. The system ran about 1200, and included everything I needed, including the arm, shocks, steering stabilizer, and new braided brake lines.

[Wildstreak]

I was just looking at kits and superlift looks like it comes with way more stuff and is way better quality...I was thinking like a 2" shackle flip and an 8" kit. Did you have to alter your steering for the 6" lift? I know Ill need cross over steering(high steering) but what kind of drive shaft problems am I looking at? And how to remedy it?

[gerfunken]

I did add the 4" steering arm as an option, and went with an new adjustable link from the steering box to the arm. There was a little bit of bounce-steer, but most of that went away when I put the steering stabilizer in place. I ended up having to get a new front drive shaft (worn out), and got a high pinion one made, as well as having to extend the rear drive shaft. I had to modify the emergency brake mounts, and just moved them to the bottom of the frame from sitting inside. And I ended up leaving a 1" block in the rear springs, since I frequently load the bed up on trips. I'm running 35" (315/75r16) tires on it, and only rub when I'm really flexing and turning. The lift is solid, being for a 3/4 ton truck, and even loaded I don't sag the suspension, and there is very little drop.

The really nice thing that I love about these trucks is how high everything sits with the 6" lift. Current trucks seem to sit on top of the frame where the frame hangs 6" below the body, and our trucks keep the frame under the body line.

[gerfunken]

Some pics of how it sits.

[gerfunken]

Oh, forgot.... to get the old steering arm off... <sigh> get a BFH. I ended up having to get a 12lb sledge to get those expansion washers out of the old Dana-44. Lots of swinging, lots of cussing, and the 5lb sledge I had wasn't cutting it.

[bfay17]

Quick question here. did you have to drop your t case? or is that still up where it was before the 6 inch lift. I plan on either a 4 or 6 inch but i dont wanna get into more work and money than i can afford. I can easily buy a 4 inch lift but i would like a 6. Only real issue is the drive shafts t case etc.. Sorry to hi-jack but just lookin for an opinion

[gerfunken]

The only drive line modifications I really had to make were for the drive shafts. The rear ended up being about 3-4" too short. My front one was shot, so we just measured and built a new one. Granted, it's a high-pinion drive shaft for the front.

[dammitmitchell]

ive got a skyjacker 8 in
drop steering arm
it's been heavily recommended to me to get a crossover set up

i have the steering stabilizers.. which i highly recommend..
and poly everything on my mounts and bushings
also lookinto maby adding a tcase/tranny drop
i dropped mine and i dont have any issues with my ales..

[bfay17]

Alrigt ill remember that. My rear shaft looks exactly like yours does already. Is a t case drop easy to do? or am i gonna get in over my head with this?

[dammitmitchell]

a tcase drop is a set of realllly thick washers basically and longer bolts..
just like a body lift
easy to do
nwo remember to not make the mistake i did.
dont run DUAL front shocks without making sure you have the right one..
it took a couple months to realise i made that mistake.. to late to retrun the parts....

[Wildstreak]

one lift kit I saw had shims in it for your axles and another had a drop kit for your t-case. Which is better. How does it lower the t-case with out screwing up the angle to the motor?

[dammitmitchell]

not sure how to answer that one..
but my axles also have the shims too
here's what i have
skyjacker 8 in all suspension
came with

new springs front and rear
steering stabalizers (kit)
all shocks
poly bushings for every connection and bushing
i also bought the "wedge" which changed my axle angle so my driveshafts would not bind
drop pitman arm
and tranny drop
i am aaiting permission from the boss to buy a cross over set up..
but that's all in due time.

[dammitmitchell]

but all my stuff is on a 83
so i dont know what exactly you will need (if stuff is different) for your 70..

[Wildstreak]

how does your truck drive with the 8 inch lift with out crossover steering? how does it handle and hows the bump steer?

[70 beast]

i had a 6" all spring super lift on my previous truck (now my dads) and a 3" body lift. regretted getting such a big body lift but the 6" was nice. rode pretty well also. had the raised steering arm and stock pitman arm. all in all it was a good set up. bump steer wasnt horrible but wasnt great either.
im now running the 6" on my 71 jimmy and am having the original axle setup for crossover. if you do go bigger that a 4" id recomend the crossover. 8" is usually a must for most people. but i say it all depends on what you can live with and live without.

[70 beast]

heres how the truck sat with 6/3 lift w/ 35s

6/3 with 38s


and the 6" on my jimmy

[Wildstreak]

I was thinking about doing a three inch body lift with 6 spring, or an 8" lift springs and an ord 1"body lift. I'll be needing a body lift as I plan to put a 454 in now and would like a lil clearance for the dizzy.

@70 beast
Why didnt you like that much body lift?

[70 beast]

my old truck has a 496 bbc full roller motor and tall valve covers. i had more trouble with the valve covers than the distributor.
if i had to do it over id keep the 6" and do a max 1" body lift.
IMO the 3" was just too much. wasnt the best for offroading IMO.

[Wildstreak]

The motor Im using is coming out of my camaro and has been rollerized as well. I plan on running it till its done(I say this because the motor was built in the early 90's and has been sitting for five years) and then I would love to stroke it and build it even stronger or find a new modern motor like in my dads new 08 hd2500 that has tons of power and still gets 20mpg. Last time I drove it was running very well so I have high hopes for it lol.

[70 beast]

is the truck going to see alot of offroad? if so what kind?

[Wildstreak]

truck will be used for dd but dont get me wrong I live in the bush and all we do is go 4x4ing in spring summer fall and as much as possible in winter even because it will be my sled truck as well. I think Im goin with a 6" suspension and the ord 1" lift for now. I just want to be able to run these tires in the picture attached...

[70 beast]

what size tire are those?
6" is a good choice.
Ive heard that 8" don't flex well but i think it depends on what brand

[Wildstreak]

the tires are 35x16 ss boggers

p.s your jimmy is bad ass!!! theres one on ebay right now Im drooling over.

[70 beast]

thanks. its taken a lot of work to get it to where it is and still isnt close to road ready.

35" with a 6" and 1" body should be plenty of room to run those tires.