4" Lift starting from scratch..

[garydan]

I'm going to scrap the springs and shocks I have now, both front and rear. I'm looking to do a 1-ton conversion with the lift at the same time. I'd like to do a 4" lift. My suspension is pretty much shot all around, so there is nothing to keep.

My plans for the truck ('85-K5) is to go off-roading (woods & some mud.. not much rock crawling in FL), take family camping trips with it (comfortable riding) and to be able to pull a boat to and from the boat ramp in town. I think that I'd like to stay with 35" tires.

I don't want to do this twice, so I'm willing to spend the extra money to get the right stuff. I'd like to have the most capable ride (good flex...etc) without sacrificing the required short-range towing ability.

Should I do an all spring lift? 4-inch springs up from and a shackle-flip in the back with new stock rear springs? What type of shocks should I run? My goal is to find some CUCV axles, does that make a difference in setup options?

Thank You for the help,
-Gary

 

[Kota4bye]

Are your rear springs so saggy that they must be replaced?

I'd do a shackle flip and zero rate in the back. If you're going to replace them, go with 56"s vice 52"s.

You probably don't want to do the 52" swap in the front, so I think the Tuff Country springs are the recommended springs for ride.

 

[garydan]

Are your rear springs so saggy that they must be replaced?

I'd do a shackle flip and zero rate in the back. If you're going to replace them, go with 56"s vice 52"s.

You probably don't want to do the 52" swap in the front, so I think the Tuff Country springs are the recommended springs for ride.

The rear springs are in decent condition (I think), they still have a good curve to them, unlike my front springs. I just don't know what kind of lift I currently have. The front springs are rough country, and the rear are who knows what. From previous posts I made, it looks like a hacked together lift. There are no blocks though. Here is the best shot I have right now of the rear springs:

This is why I'd like to get all new stuff. Just so I know what's in there.

 

[wayne]

If your not playing on rocks and plan to tow then just do a 4" Tuff Country EZ ride. Keep your front sway bar and just get some discos if you want to unhook it for wheeling. Spend the money and buy good shocks. If you only plan to run 35's skip the D60 and just run a 10 bolt or D44 up front. Me personally, I would skip the 14ff too and get a 12 bolt. The diff won't hang down as far and drag in the mud.