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4'' is that easy?

HarrisonTX

HarrisonTX

1/2 ton status
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Mar 29, 2008
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Location
Waco/Fort Worth TX
So, im looking to raise up my k5, to clear some 33''s or 35''s
A 4'' super lift (suspension lift) only comes with leaf springs, and the hardware (u-bolt stuff) I assume i would need some shocks too, but other than that, is that really all you need to go from stock to 4 inches?
Im real new to 4x4's, but i would think steering parts maybe?
$487 aint too bad for a 4'' kit
 
steering arm for axle needed for 4" lift best also.

and i would search in the garage section a bit for good info and pics before buying anything.

superlift is o.k. but stiff springs . tuff country is a real good bang for the buck for long life/good ride/quality.

NOT rough country junk. :mad:
 
Two entirely different companies , been asked many times .

You get different answers from different people about what brand of spring rides too stiff or not . The consensus seems to be the Rough Country ride rougher , and Tuff country ride smoother .
 
Rc

Yeah I just installed a RC 4 inch lift in my K5. It is alittle rough, nothing outragious, but it's a Blazer, just how "car like" are you gonna be?

You need shocks, mounts to relocate your brake lines or extended brakelines and all of you orginial bolts and nuts. You might need the bolt sleeves too.
 
There are lots of other small pieces you need for a successful lift. Brake lines, shocks, steering adjustment come to mind.

When i get to this point, i am going to ORD and getting their kit. Everyone raves about it, they will customize it however you want, and if you take their advice, you will have EVERYTHING you need. Going with their kit would use a shackle flip in the rear instead of blocks like most of those other kits.

http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/3inchliftsystem.htm

It says 3" , but if you want a true 4" just talk to them. They would swap the front spring for 4", and maybe add a zero rate in the rear.
 
That kit looks awesome.
I hate the fact that they arnt listing a price.
Why do they include a shackle lip kit, and everone else just sells leaf springs?
i assume theres an advantage to skackle flip?
 
HarrisonTX said:
That kit looks awesome.
I hate the fact that they arnt listing a price.
Why do they include a shackle lip kit, and everone else just sells leaf springs?
i assume theres an advantage to skackle flip?
Click to expand...


Most other "kits" include blocks for the rear. Some of the more expensive ones include rear lift springs. The shackle flip doesn't give you the issues blocks do, and you get to retain the same springs as stock, so your ride doesn't get harsher.

They don't list a price, cause everyone customizes that kit. The whole kit there is around $1000, but you can skip things like upgraded shackles and stuff if you are tight on money. Don't skip the steering box brace though!
 
NOT rough country junk.
Click to expand...
Why are you always posting Rough Country is Junk. They Import their springs from the same aisan/ indonesian countrys that Tuff County does.
 
Someone else mentioned relocating the brake lines, but if you're going only 4" just go to your local parts store and get front brake lines for a 2wd of the same year that you're working with. They are 4+ inches longer and you don't have to disturb the hard line. Also it never hurts to replace lines on something you are going to probably put in precarious situations.
 
Hey there!

Shackle Flip: Replacement lift springs are more steeply arched, thus offer a rougher ride, even when you buy good ones. Lift blocks keep the stock springs for ride, but they add a lot of extra stress in the form of leverage on the bushings, mounts, etc because of the potential axle wrap they bring into the mix. Shackle Flip is the best of both worlds... stock springs (stock ride) and no extra stresses from the blocks.

No matter what your opinion about quality and durability (and there are many!) the Tuff Country springs have one of the softest advertised spring rates available anywhere which is why a lot of guys like them. Good flex, decent ride.

You will need shocks. A steering arm and the bolt-in frame brace from ORD are also good ideas.

Brake Lines: Maybe I got some flunky at the parts store, but when I looked at 2wd front brake lines for the same year truck ('79 in this case) they weren't any longer than the 4wd ones. HOWEVER, when I looked at '88 and up pickup (next generation) front lines for 2wd, they're perfect...about 4.5 inches longer with the same fittings. Mine came with a metal bracket about halfway down the line (supposed to bolt to a control arm I think) but a pair of vice grips unbent it carefully from around the line and then they were perfect!
 
Desert Yeti said:
Hey there!

Shackle Flip: Replacement lift springs are more steeply arched, thus offer a rougher ride, even when you buy good ones. Lift blocks keep the stock springs for ride, but they add a lot of extra stress in the form of leverage on the bushings, mounts, etc because of the potential axle wrap they bring into the mix. Shackle Flip is the best of both worlds... stock springs (stock ride) and no extra stresses from the blocks.

No matter what your opinion about quality and durability (and there are many!) the Tuff Country springs have one of the softest advertised spring rates available anywhere which is why a lot of guys like them. Good flex, decent ride.

You will need shocks. A steering arm and the bolt-in frame brace from ORD are also good ideas.

Brake Lines: Maybe I got some flunky at the parts store, but when I looked at 2wd front brake lines for the same year truck ('79 in this case) they weren't any longer than the 4wd ones. HOWEVER, when I looked at '88 and up pickup (next generation) front lines for 2wd, they're perfect...about 4.5 inches longer with the same fittings. Mine came with a metal bracket about halfway down the line (supposed to bolt to a control arm I think) but a pair of vice grips unbent it carefully from around the line and then they were perfect!
Click to expand...


What a great bit of information.
So i can retain the stock ride with a shackle flip? Outstanding!
It rides pretty good now, and i would like to keep the factory feel.
Its going to be a daily driver, so the ride is important. Thanks for the info.
 
Lift

I had a rough country 4" lift and lived with it for 3 years before giving it away, horrible ride, poor quality components and just bad.

bought an ORD 6" kit and at 1500 it's not cheap but it's apples and oranges.

If money is tight and you wanna enjoy your truck start cheap and then save for the big build.

Have fun enjoy your truck and make decisions you can live with for a while, nothings permanent!
 
i was thinking the ORD kit was about $1k, not $1500, i couldnt spring for the latter, its just with the lift, comes tires, and with tires comes gears, so i gotta little saving to do.
Thanks for the tips.
 
I'm doing a 4" lift on my K5 now and I bought the lift springs locally, bought the 4" lift steering arm off fleabay, brackets for the braklines, shocks, etc.
Also, try and get some new bolts and such from ACE or online, grade 8 or better, try and refresh what you can.

Driveshafts should bolt up, take a look at those u-joints too.

While you're under there, take a look at your balljoints, u-joints, seals, etc. might as well tackle it while your down there instead of later.

I'm redoing mine, also putting in 3/4 ton axles.

I'm also going to running 36's with fender trimming.

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.

Molokai
 
I ran around with a 4" lift on my burb and stock sized tires for a few months.. it's not too bad :wink1:

4" springs are easy to find.. get the springs used(inspect 'em good), score a steering arm with NEW nuts, and a rear block kit.. then you just need shocks and u bolts. I did mine for around $300.. the front springs are Rancho, little firm on the ride but it's not terrible. Most expensive part was the $120 I spent on shocks.

Do yourself a huge favor with shocks.. skip the 4" lift ones and measure your travel before you spend the money, 'cause the 4" lift ones are too short.

Later on add a shackle flip if your rear springs are good... new front shackles are nice to have too, the ORD ones are well worth the money.
 
Originally I went with some kit from 4WPH (Procomp kit or??). It came with the lift springs, blocks for the rear, crappy shocks and the steering arm. I did not like the ride at all. So eventually I started swapping things out. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably go straight to a setup using alot of Kert's (DIY4x)stuff.

B52s and stock rear springs up front- 190.00, front shackle eye hanger- 60.00, shackle flip in the rear- 195.00 and find some 56s or 63in springs down at A1:D (19.00 ea). You would have to knock out the cross over steering at the same time. But I pieced my setup together for about a 100.00 So for 580.00 or so you have 4-5" of lift, cross over steering and a pretty decent ride.

I actually ended up going with a slightly different setup, but essentially the same as above. I went with the B52s up front (56" springs) and I am finishing up the Springer setup in the back. But I wanted a ton of flex and I wanted to do the Springer/AK57 setup in the back for along time. I do have a set of shackle flip brackets just in case I decide to tame it down some.:doah::D

Z
 
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