Lifting a 2wd - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Back in Black 66 · 11-01-2009, 12:14 AM

I have a 1974 long bed chevy c10 2wd. coil springs up front and leafs in the back. i am looking to lift the truck 2in and use 33/12.50R15's. i have been looking into lift spindles for the front and lift blocks in the back. is this a good route as far as parts and tires wear is considered and if so what places should i start looking for the spindles? please help!

Here she is hope it works

3r!c84 · 11-01-2009, 12:23 AM

they dont make lift spindles for theses kinds of trucks anymore

Back in Black 66 · 11-01-2009, 12:31 AM

any other ideas. i dont really wanna do taller coils. cause i dont wanna deal with control arm length and never being able to align the truck and bad tire wear or would i not have troubles because of it only being 2in?

flamingbig10 · 11-01-2009, 11:47 AM

you can get a ball joint spacers and a 3" body lift

**old Rusty C10** · 11-01-2009, 11:51 AM

i would do the body lift

Mike_D · 11-02-2009, 01:00 AM

balljoint spacer and a 1" taller coil will allow you to run 33's.

Back in Black 66 · 11-05-2009, 12:29 AM

mike d
how reliable is a ball joint spacer and will it affect the alignment?

and

flamingbig 10
how difficult is a body lift compared to a suspension lift?

Mike_D · 11-05-2009, 01:56 PM

I don't have any alignment problems. Ill snap a picture this weekend. I know there is a moog spring that works great, I'll look for that part number as well

Prerunner1982 · 11-05-2009, 02:59 PM

I ran 1 ton coils on my 82 c10 and was able to fit 32"s with only slight rubbing. I did not need any lift on the rear as the truck sat level with the 1 ton springs. You could do the 1ton front coils and then a small (1") body lift. I do not like body lifts but a small one isn't too bad. I know my 32x11.50s almost hit the lower edges of the front fenders.. I had less than 2 fingers width at the closest point. The tires rubbed the inner fenders at the top.

Spindles are the best option but as previously mentioned not currently available for our trucks. I have heard and seen a couple people running the 88-98 front lift spindles but have not seen a write up on what particular parts are needed.

JohnC · 11-05-2009, 04:36 PM

When I bought my truck it had 3" lift coils with the ball joint spacer in it. Then it had the blocks in the back. It had 31x10.50's on it with plenty of room. I can't tell you how it was on tires, or alignment because I changed back to stock pretty soon after I got it.

JohnC · 11-05-2009, 04:37 PM

When I bought my truck it had 3" lift coils with the ball joint spacer in it. Then it had the blocks in the back. It had 31x10.50's on it with plenty of room. I can't tell you how it was on tires, or alignment because I changed back to stock pretty soon after I got it. Here is a pic of it.

Back in Black 66 · 11-19-2009, 06:42 AM

prerunner 1982 - With the 1 ton coils did you need longer control arms or were you able to use the stock ones?

And does anyone have a pic of a ball joint spacer? i want to know how it works.
Thanks guys for all the assistance.

Prerunner1982 · 11-19-2009, 09:40 AM

No I did not need longer control arms, I believe the same coils were available in diesel equipped trucks whether they were 1 ton or not. Since they were a stock option, no mods were needed.

Ball joint spacers: Though the pics below are for a Toyota the concept/design is still the same. It spaces the ball joint away from the upper control arm and helps reduce the angle the ball joint operates at. Also some of the aftermarket tubular control arms have the ball joint mounting area angled to help reduce the angle of the ball joint.

sailed2japan · 11-19-2009, 07:10 PM

I am currently running 3" coils and ball joint spacers in mine. The spacers are no where near as thick as the ones shown above, only about 1/2" you also chage the mounting from above the control arm to below it. this set-up is designed to eliminate the exact problem you mentioned.

Edit: to clear up any possible misconceptions ball joint spacers do not provide any lift, they simply allow you to get a proper alignment with a huge shim stack and provide room for more droop as the lift coils change the position of the a-arms. I also plan to install a 1 1/2" thick droop stop istead of the stock 2 1/4" one to provide suspension travel closer to stock.

sailed2japan · 11-19-2009, 07:27 PM

If you really want spindles:
Originally Posted by suicide 63
The recipe is
73-87
upper control arms any <c10-c20-c30>
lower control arms c20-c30

88-98
spindles for 1-1/4 inch rotors any exended cab will have them
rotors or a light dudy 3/4 ton they were six lug
upper and lower ball joints
outer tie rod ends
brake hoses
calipers

What makes this work is the 88 up ball joint presses into the 73 up 3/4 ton lower a-arm
Yuo will have to cut about a 1/4 inch off the new tie rod ends to get proper alignment.
Dont forget abought 88-91 square body stuff it all interchanges.
good luck

classic performance products has six lug rotors that go on 73-87 1 1/4 inch spindles about $120 for a pair.

Use this with a pair of lift spindles from Fabtech and 4" rear springs

Back in Black 66 · 11-22-2009, 11:10 PM

holy cow had no idea it would b such a hassle. i never really like body lifts but it is looking like i might go that path. just seems easier. thanks for all the suggestions and ideas. hopefully soon i will get it lifted and i will post pics of what i came up with.

longbedrick · 11-24-2009, 03:15 AM

ever see those "donk cars"? I always wondered how they lifted gramma's 4 door grocery getter to clear 30"rims. I saw a kit for $495 in one of the DONK magazines for a 3" kit for a c10. the kit had front spacer cups, ball joint spacers, rear blocks, hardware, and shock absorbers. or you could try some big block or 1-ton coils up front and blocks in the back.

Prerunner1982 · 11-24-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longbedrick

you could try some big block or 1-ton coils up front and blocks in the back.

This combination would give it a raked look. 1ton coils alone would level out the truck.

However, what are you doing looking in a "Donk" mag long enough to find an ad for a c10 lift kit?

longbedrick · 11-24-2009, 09:33 PM

it was one of those things where you see the magazine cover at 7-11 and go "WTF?!" and pick it up. good marketing... sparked my interest for sure.

3r!c84 · 11-24-2009, 11:38 PM

yeah its hard to get passed the girls (well car) on the front of them mags

longbedrick · 11-25-2009, 12:03 AM

girls? they have girls in those mags? I musta' looked right passed them (my ole' lady's in the room)

3r!c84 · 11-25-2009, 12:08 AM

what magazines are you looking at then?

Back in Black 66 · 11-26-2009, 05:47 PM

Think i am gonna do 1 ton coils and leafs. just seems easy.

Scootin 81 C20 · 11-26-2009, 06:06 PM

On a C20, how much lift would I get with 1 ton coils up front? Or are the springs the same on a C20 and C30?

flamingbig10 · 11-26-2009, 08:34 PM

about a 1 1/2

11-01-2009, 12:14 AM	#1
Back in Black 66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 32	Lifting a 2wd I have a 1974 long bed chevy c10 2wd. coil springs up front and leafs in the back. i am looking to lift the truck 2in and use 33/12.50R15's. i have been looking into lift spindles for the front and lift blocks in the back. is this a good route as far as parts and tires wear is considered and if so what places should i start looking for the spindles? please help! Here she is hope it works Last edited by Back in Black 66; 11-01-2009 at 02:58 AM. Reason: correction

11-01-2009, 12:23 AM	#2
3r!c84 Badass Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: lox. fl Posts: 4,586	Re: Lifting a 2wd they dont make lift spindles for theses kinds of trucks anymore __________________ Think outside the box? -84c10 (1stcar)→My Build← -00 Saturn 5spd drop a gear and disappear! 1/4:13:90

11-01-2009, 12:31 AM	#3
Back in Black 66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 32	Re: Lifting a 2wd any other ideas. i dont really wanna do taller coils. cause i dont wanna deal with control arm length and never being able to align the truck and bad tire wear or would i not have troubles because of it only being 2in?

11-01-2009, 11:47 AM	#4
flamingbig10 6.0 powered square Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mesquite texas Posts: 3,459	Re: Lifting a 2wd you can get a ball joint spacers and a 3" body lift __________________ Aaron 1980 c-10 short bed lowered, cammed 6.0, 4l80e 3600 stall, smp tune, wilwoods, and flames best time so far best et 7.86 @87 on motor 7.57 90 on a 75 shot Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283326 Last edited by flamingbig10; 11-01-2009 at 11:50 AM.

11-01-2009, 11:51 AM	#5
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	Re: Lifting a 2wd i would do the body lift __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

11-02-2009, 01:00 AM	#6
Mike_D Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Bay, Ca Posts: 36	Re: Lifting a 2wd balljoint spacer and a 1" taller coil will allow you to run 33's.

11-05-2009, 12:29 AM	#7
Back in Black 66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 32	Re: Lifting a 2wd mike d how reliable is a ball joint spacer and will it affect the alignment? and flamingbig 10 how difficult is a body lift compared to a suspension lift?

11-05-2009, 01:56 PM	#8
Mike_D Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Bay, Ca Posts: 36	Re: Lifting a 2wd I don't have any alignment problems. Ill snap a picture this weekend. I know there is a moog spring that works great, I'll look for that part number as well

11-05-2009, 02:59 PM	#9
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	Re: Lifting a 2wd I ran 1 ton coils on my 82 c10 and was able to fit 32"s with only slight rubbing. I did not need any lift on the rear as the truck sat level with the 1 ton springs. You could do the 1ton front coils and then a small (1") body lift. I do not like body lifts but a small one isn't too bad. I know my 32x11.50s almost hit the lower edges of the front fenders.. I had less than 2 fingers width at the closest point. The tires rubbed the inner fenders at the top. Spindles are the best option but as previously mentioned not currently available for our trucks. I have heard and seen a couple people running the 88-98 front lift spindles but have not seen a write up on what particular parts are needed. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

11-05-2009, 04:36 PM	#10
JohnC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 7,461	Re: Lifting a 2wd When I bought my truck it had 3" lift coils with the ball joint spacer in it. Then it had the blocks in the back. It had 31x10.50's on it with plenty of room. I can't tell you how it was on tires, or alignment because I changed back to stock pretty soon after I got it.

11-05-2009, 04:37 PM	#11
JohnC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 7,461	Re: Lifting a 2wd When I bought my truck it had 3" lift coils with the ball joint spacer in it. Then it had the blocks in the back. It had 31x10.50's on it with plenty of room. I can't tell you how it was on tires, or alignment because I changed back to stock pretty soon after I got it. Here is a pic of it.

11-19-2009, 06:42 AM	#12
Back in Black 66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 32	Re: Lifting a 2wd prerunner 1982 - With the 1 ton coils did you need longer control arms or were you able to use the stock ones? And does anyone have a pic of a ball joint spacer? i want to know how it works. Thanks guys for all the assistance.

11-19-2009, 09:40 AM	#13
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	Re: Lifting a 2wd No I did not need longer control arms, I believe the same coils were available in diesel equipped trucks whether they were 1 ton or not. Since they were a stock option, no mods were needed. Ball joint spacers: Though the pics below are for a Toyota the concept/design is still the same. It spaces the ball joint away from the upper control arm and helps reduce the angle the ball joint operates at. Also some of the aftermarket tubular control arms have the ball joint mounting area angled to help reduce the angle of the ball joint. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

11-19-2009, 07:10 PM	#14
sailed2japan Jonny Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Outside the Box, Austin,TX Posts: 741	Re: Lifting a 2wd I am currently running 3" coils and ball joint spacers in mine. The spacers are no where near as thick as the ones shown above, only about 1/2" you also chage the mounting from above the control arm to below it. this set-up is designed to eliminate the exact problem you mentioned. Edit: to clear up any possible misconceptions ball joint spacers do not provide any lift, they simply allow you to get a proper alignment with a huge shim stack and provide room for more droop as the lift coils change the position of the a-arms. I also plan to install a 1 1/2" thick droop stop istead of the stock 2 1/4" one to provide suspension travel closer to stock. __________________ 1966 C30, Cummins, stacks, and a flat bed in progress... "Honor.....simply put, A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve is someone who, at one time in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including his life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it." -AEC Hundley USNR Last edited by sailed2japan; 11-19-2009 at 07:14 PM.

11-19-2009, 07:27 PM	#15
sailed2japan Jonny Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Outside the Box, Austin,TX Posts: 741	Re: Lifting a 2wd If you really want spindles: Originally Posted by suicide 63 The recipe is 73-87 upper control arms any <c10-c20-c30> lower control arms c20-c30 88-98 spindles for 1-1/4 inch rotors any exended cab will have them rotors or a light dudy 3/4 ton they were six lug upper and lower ball joints outer tie rod ends brake hoses calipers What makes this work is the 88 up ball joint presses into the 73 up 3/4 ton lower a-arm Yuo will have to cut about a 1/4 inch off the new tie rod ends to get proper alignment. Dont forget abought 88-91 square body stuff it all interchanges. good luck classic performance products has six lug rotors that go on 73-87 1 1/4 inch spindles about $120 for a pair. Use this with a pair of lift spindles from Fabtech and 4" rear springs __________________ 1966 C30, Cummins, stacks, and a flat bed in progress... "Honor.....simply put, A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve is someone who, at one time in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including his life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it." -AEC Hundley USNR



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

11-22-2009, 11:10 PM	#16
Back in Black 66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 32	Re: Lifting a 2wd holy cow had no idea it would b such a hassle. i never really like body lifts but it is looking like i might go that path. just seems easier. thanks for all the suggestions and ideas. hopefully soon i will get it lifted and i will post pics of what i came up with.

11-24-2009, 03:15 AM	#17
longbedrick Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Gilroy,CA Posts: 193	Re: Lifting a 2wd ever see those "donk cars"? I always wondered how they lifted gramma's 4 door grocery getter to clear 30"rims. I saw a kit for $495 in one of the DONK magazines for a 3" kit for a c10. the kit had front spacer cups, ball joint spacers, rear blocks, hardware, and shock absorbers. or you could try some big block or 1-ton coils up front and blocks in the back.

11-24-2009, 09:33 PM	#19
longbedrick Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Gilroy,CA Posts: 193	Re: Lifting a 2wd it was one of those things where you see the magazine cover at 7-11 and go "WTF?!" and pick it up. good marketing... sparked my interest for sure.

11-24-2009, 11:38 PM	#20
3r!c84 Badass Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: lox. fl Posts: 4,586	Re: Lifting a 2wd yeah its hard to get passed the girls (well car) on the front of them mags __________________ Think outside the box? -84c10 (1stcar)→My Build← -00 Saturn 5spd drop a gear and disappear! 1/4:13:90

11-25-2009, 12:03 AM	#21
longbedrick Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Gilroy,CA Posts: 193	Re: Lifting a 2wd girls? they have girls in those mags? I musta' looked right passed them (my ole' lady's in the room)

11-25-2009, 12:08 AM	#22
3r!c84 Badass Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: lox. fl Posts: 4,586	Re: Lifting a 2wd what magazines are you looking at then? __________________ Think outside the box? -84c10 (1stcar)→My Build← -00 Saturn 5spd drop a gear and disappear! 1/4:13:90

11-26-2009, 05:47 PM	#23
Back in Black 66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 32	Re: Lifting a 2wd Think i am gonna do 1 ton coils and leafs. just seems easy.

11-26-2009, 06:06 PM	#24
Scootin 81 C20 3/4 Ton Rodder Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manlius, IL Posts: 1,146	Re: Lifting a 2wd On a C20, how much lift would I get with 1 ton coils up front? Or are the springs the same on a C20 and C30? __________________ 1981 Chevy Scottsdale C20 "Orange Crush": SOLD 1989 Chevy Silverado K2500: All Stock (For Now), 350 TBI/700R4. DD/Light Duty Toy. Last edited by Scootin 81 C20; 11-26-2009 at 06:07 PM.

11-26-2009, 08:34 PM	#25
flamingbig10 6.0 powered square Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mesquite texas Posts: 3,459	Re: Lifting a 2wd about a 1 1/2 __________________ Aaron 1980 c-10 short bed lowered, cammed 6.0, 4l80e 3600 stall, smp tune, wilwoods, and flames best time so far best et 7.86 @87 on motor 7.57 90 on a 75 shot Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283326

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.