1981 K20

[Smokinthehippies]

They were aluminum. Probably from the 80s lol. I don't know. I may end up bringing the rear up to keep it rolling. But I won't keep them like this for long. It's too ridiculous tall.

I might talk to the wife about going coilovers front and rear ...


But we will see how that goes.

 

[Deuling]

Oh boy lol. This is getting out of hand now.


I think a radius arm panhard setup would be pretty simple though.... That will be my next move someday.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Well I'd probably just do a 3 link Setup. But I think for now I'm not gonna do that nonsense, although I like that idea. I need some wheeling time not building time
So here's the current plan

Ditch the front zero rates, I don't need the extra inch plus after looking with these springs it doesn't look like I need the inch push forward.
Get longer shackles for the rear.
Get replacement angle shims for the front
Get new axle shims for the rear, that also can push the axle about 2" back. It seems to be even with the 1" push after doing the shackle flip its just as far forward as it was to start.

I think that should take care of me and get me Rollin. Gonna make some orders tomoro with expedite shipping and try to get dirty next weekend

 

[Mr.Clean]

It can never be too tall

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Lol well be that as it may. I don't want it to be super unsteady.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

So talked to kert. Can't go taller on the rear shackles because the ones I have are already 7" which is the tallest they can go.
Which is probably better cuz I don't need to be on huge ass shackles lol

Got some angled shims coming in on ups overbite to get this puppy done

Need to point the front up, and take out the zero rate.
Then point the rear down. And switc around my zero rate back there to try and push the axle further back.

After that whether its level or not, that's where it's gonna ride. The plan is to go wheeling this weekend for a shakedown.
Oh and finally got my stickers for this truck yesterday. After 6 months of owning it lol

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Got the front all figured out. Zero rates are out
Shims are in. Bolted all in and donesky.
Gotta get the rear done probably Thursday.
Probably going to have to get my front driveshaft lengthened.
Again

 

[K85 Octane]

lookin ready for trouble!! WOOT

 

[Smokinthehippies]

lookin ready for trouble!! WOOT

So close now. Also figured out that as of now my front shocks are the limiters of travel instead of the springs. Damn deavers droop for days lol.
So I had my awesome wife help me for about 3 hours tonight while I did all this. Struggling back and forth. And bout hour into it I was crawling out of the truck and thru a hammer out, landed right on her big toe nail. She was not pleased.

Bout 40 minutes later same situation only with a c clamp. Even after that, she continued helping thru the tears. I also had tears. More from laughing although I did feel bad.
Like I told her tho. It's ok to get hurt as long as you keep pushing and end the night with a victory


Which we did

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Worked on the ole bitch a little more tonight

Got the rear end all finished with a new set of angled shims and moved it to the far hole on the zero rates.
Had to ditch the e brake cables cuz with the lift and push back they wouldn't let the axle move back far enough.
Anyway. All done. Gonna take it back to the shop after work tomoro and do a Little flexing see if I'm missing anything.

Also pulled out the suburbans PCM tonight to ship out to mark. Looking forward to seeing how she runs when it gets back.

 

[Mr.Clean]

Trucks looking awesome. I love this thing

 

[Smokinthehippies]

I know I'm so close. I'm expecting it to be done.
I'm really wanting to go wheeling this weekend.

 

[Mr.Clean]

It may be just the fact that its the same truck as mine( Close enough at least ) that I like this thing so much. What are you running for gears in your axles? And what are you at now for lift? 4" supension + zero rates so 5"s? Is that right? trying to get an idea cause this thing is huge and I have 12" springs and 3" body under my truck but with 28" roller tires so its hard to judge it's height till I find some 40's for it, but now seeing yours I'm realizing how obnoxiously tall my truck is going to sit with some 40's under it

 

[Smokinthehippies]

It may be just the fact that its the same truck as mine( Close enough at least ) that I like this thing so much. What are you running for gears in your axles? And what are you at now for lift? 4" supension + zero rates so 5"s? Is that right? trying to get an idea cause this thing is huge and I have 12" springs and 3" body under my truck but with 28" roller tires so its hard to judge it's height till I find some 40's for it, but now seeing yours I'm realizing how obnoxiously tall my truck is going to sit with some 40's under it

Suspension is
Front 6" lift deavers with 6" HD shackles. (Might switch to a shorter shackle one day we will see)
Rear is 4" shackle flip, 7" shackles and 1" zero rate.

 

[Mr.Clean]

Oh okay. Makes much more sense now your sig saying 4" threw me for a loop.

What gears are you running?

 

[newoldscottsdale77]

It may be just the fact that its the same truck as mine( Close enough at least ) that I like this thing so much. What are you running for gears in your axles? And what are you at now for lift? 4" supension + zero rates so 5"s? Is that right? trying to get an idea cause this thing is huge and I have 12" springs and 3" body under my truck but with 28" roller tires so its hard to judge it's height till I find some 40's for it, but now seeing yours I'm realizing how obnoxiously tall my truck is going to sit with some 40's under it

i have 52's upfront with ez inch ( axle moved 1.5" forward ) and a 4" diy4x shackle flip with 6" shackles in the rear with ez inch and the truck sits level on 39.5" rockers with a very minimum fender removed , i removed the fangs and took off 2" from the rear fenderwell.

 

[newoldscottsdale77]

So couple more issues on the morning
Deavers are mother flipping tall.

My Brother in law here (myhighchevy4x4) just installed a set of ORD alcan springs and they were REALLY tall also, he threw it back together and after driving to the mailbox and pulling the truck back in the shop they settled 3/4". hopefully you will see the same results after you see some pavement.

PS. love the truck!

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Oh okay. Makes much more sense now your sig saying 4" threw me for a loop.

What gears are you running?

Sorry haven't updated it yet. It was a 4" lift before.
It has 4.88s actually that's the only reason I went as tall as I did. Originally I wanted to stay a 37" on like 2" of lift. But the PO ha da set of 4.88s installed in the rear, so it was easier to build around they than to regear it and go a different way.

My Brother in law here (myhighchevy4x4) just installed a set of ORD alcan springs and they were REALLY tall also, he threw it back together and after driving to the mailbox and pulling the truck back in the shop they settled 3/4". hopefully you will see the same results after you see some pavement.

PS. love the truck!

Well my deavers are used so I'm not sure if ill get too much settling out of them. I think if it comes to it I can potentially shave an inch off by going shorter shackles, which I might do yet.
Also I realized last night, that my back tires are at like 30-50% and my fronts are brand new, that might make up some altitude difference as well.

And thanks for the compliment!

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Got a few updated pictures from today I'm all done with section of the rig. Gonna go wheeling. Driveshaft is a little short in the front. Has about an inch or two of engagement in the splines. Looks like it'll work but I'm not comfortable with that short of meat on the splines.
Also truck definitely flexes way better. Not even the same as the last time where it was all body flexing lol

Boss lady approved! Lol.

 

[y5mgisi]

Sweet man! Looks great!