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1 ton suspension lift or 1/2 ton?

86m10086.2L

86m10086.2L

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I want to do a suspension lift in my 86 K30 either 2 or 4 inches total. I read an article in a recent issue of four wheeler a comparison of which is better having a flexy suspension or traction aids. I already have a lockers so my question is would I see any real benefit but installing a 1/2 ton springs for added flex or would that just ruin the driavability of the truck. I've heard that soft suspensions can be interesting to drive. I was planning originally to use springs up front and a shackle flip in the rear. with the 1/2 ton I'd just go all springs. The truck is not a all out trail rig, its a daily driver that I also use to go wheeling, camping, fishing, snowmobiling etc... so it sees a good amount of off road use. Just thought I'd get a few opinions before I spent the money to see if there was any benefit to going to the lighter sespension. I have delusions of grandure of actualy utilizing the 1 ton suspension rating some day but as of yet I haven't so thats why I'm still considering it.
 
I have an 83 k30. I used 4" springs in the front from superlift. I wish I had gone with the 4 inch tough coutry HD instead as the front of my truck seems a little heavy for the springs I have. I used a shackle flip in the back with 3/4ton springs which makes for a slightly smoother ride while retaining the ability to haul some weight. I have had no problem pulling small trailers and campers with the flip.
 
thats, similiar to what I was looking to do. I want to use the superlift HD springs, but most people have been telling me to go with the rough country HD's. I know a guy who has my truck with 6 inch superlift HD's and they handle the weigh of the diesel no problem. but i've heard that they aren't the company they used to be. Which is why many were trying to lead me to the rough country springs. This is my first truck so I don't know about any of that stuff. Anyway I think I'm gonna run them in the front, and some lift blocks in the back for now to see if I like the lift and if it works for what I need the truck for. that way if I don't like it, it's that much easier to take out, or just throw the shackle flip in. Although once it's in, chances are it's not comming out.
 
IMO, you can't go wrong with TUFF Country springs in the front. HD's for a truck with a big block and/or lots of front bumper.

For the rear, theoretically, a shackle flip reduces the lateral stability of the rear end. In the 70's all the "cool kids" put extended shackles on the back of their Novas so that they could shove wider tires under the back end and it made the cars corner like crap...the shackles would flex side to side under lateral force from the corner due to increased leverage. That all being said, a shackle flip on these trucks works great. You're not building a canyon carver sports car and as long as you're not towing 12,000 pounds in a high wind, the lateral stability is fine. On the plus side, it keeps your spring flatter giving you some of the "flexy" you're looking for!

If you haul any heavy loads and/or moderate trailering, I'd recommend against 1/2 ton springs in the rear. Maybe go with stock 3/4 tons and a shackle flip (as suggested by 454K30).
 
I really want to do the shackle flip. But for now, I think I'll just throw in a set of blocks in the rear to make sure I like the truck with the lift. If all goes well, which I have no reason it wouldn't then I'll tear in and get a nice DIY or ORD shackle flip for the rear. Do the Tuff Country HD spring ride the same a factory 1 ton springs or are they a little softer? Most guys I've talked to to have said whenthey did a lift on a 1 ton they usually ride alot better, but that could also have alot to do with shock choice I guess.
 
I have had a shackle flip in my truck for 6 years and I tow a 8000 lb travel trailer alot and have never had any problem out of the shackle flip. This is in a short box 1980 GMC, I had 1/2 running gear and now have switched to 3/4 running gear and noticed no difference, so tow with a flip
 
Lift blocks would give you more issues than a shackle flip. I lifted a CUCV M1028 with 4" HD Tough Country springs, ORD HD greasable shackles, and Shackle flip rear. It did ride better than stock. Even when the front swaybar was still hooked up. You can get 37s on easy enough with a little trimming and that will get your highway rpms down some.
 
Do you have to relocate the rear end when installing the shckle flip? I vaguely remember someone saying that with the shackle flip the rear end is moved forward. Is that true? Is it enought to make the truck look goofy if not corrected? Or hinder performance? If so because I'm trying to level the truck as well, I might do a 2.5 shackle flip in the rear with a zero rates and 4 inch springs in the front. I'm trying to avoid any driveshaft, brakeline, vibration issues by staying 4 inch or smaller.
 
Hey man, good to see you on here. Sounds like you need to talk with Croatan_Kid over on Steel Soldiers. He's done/doing what you are contemplating. He used the TUFF Country HD springs and really likes them.

I'd say run the Tuff Country HD springs up front and do a shackle flip in the rear while retaining your stock springs. Zero rate to move the axle back in place. I remember you said over on SS your rear sags a bit so the 4" flip and the zero rate should get you level in the rear.

How big of a tire are you wanting to run? You never did say that on here. The problem with softer springs on a 1-ton is that tires that would fit (like my 38's) with the stock springs would rub bad even with lifted but lower rated springs. If I put 4" half ton springs on my truck they'd probably tear the hell out of themselves and the fenders in short order.
 
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