What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

anyone tried or heard any thing about the 2-3in rancho/rough country a-arm/t-bar kits

B

bananablazer

1/2 ton status
Joined
Nov 20, 2005
Posts
146
Reaction score
0
Location
Atlanta,GA
out with the old k5's(for the moment) and just got a newer k5(93)z71 and it has brand new bfg t/a ko 285/75/16's on stock wheels with the t-bars cranked almost all the way and the thing feels like its riding on its tip toes and it needs new shocks. i dont want to spend the cash on a super $$$ crapy ifs lift kit and like the tires(mpg) on it now but would like just a we bit more out of the suspension and would like to put some 16x8-9 wheels and some spacers on her to get a better stance -anyone have any input on the 2-3in rough country a-arm/t-bar kit they have or maybe the rancho kit?

the only wheeling im going to be doing is on the way to my favorite camping grounds

any info would be appreaciated-thx.-hunter
 
From what I've heard they are junk. In a round about way, they still crank the bars, but the keys are indexed so so you can get more lift without alot of cranking. I've thought about these kits too, only want a couple inches, and despise b/l's, but don't want to rebuild the front end every year.
 
they kits have been changed since, but AJM blazer had one, and he HATED it.

Couldn't align it worht crap, rode like crap, etc.

If you want to lift it, get a rancho 4" and uncrank the tbars a little.
 
how bought someone that has tried it before or that works at a 4wd shop and have had some experience with the kits
 
agree with the above. Don't own one, but have driven a truck that had the 2.5" kit on it. Rode like crap in my honest opinion.

About the same as my 95 with cranked T-bars I would say.
 
bananablazer said:
how bought someone that has tried it before or that works at a 4wd shop and have had some experience with the kits
Click to expand...

I work for a shop and these kits won't align and the last racho 3" we did sat lower then stock. I would not use those kits. They are more headaches then
there worth.
 
so what do we think about this <good/bad>



r_nav146_01.gif
qty.
r_nav146_cart.gif



r_nav146_03.gif
RAN-RS6427

$599.99
Estimated Ship Date: Monday
nav_bkg.gif
nav_bkg.gif
nav_bkg.gif
nav_bkg.gif
nav_end.gif
Overview

Brand:RanchoProduct Line:Rancho 4WD Suspension Lift KitsPart Type:Suspension Lift KitsPrimary Front Lift Component:A-arm bracketPrimary Rear Lift Component:Add-a-leafFront Shocks Included:NoRear Shocks Included:NoBrake Lines Included:NoHardware Included:YesQuantity:Sold as a kit.Suspension Lift, 4WD, 3.0 in. Front/1.5 in. Rear, Chevy/GMC, K1500 Pickup, Kit
Bolt on a complete suspension package.
Why bother trying to put together your own off-road suspension when you can get a Rancho 4WD suspension lift kit already packaged for you? Rancho has taken their 40-plus years of off-roading experience and made kits that not only raise vehicle height to clear boulders and logs, but help improve your ride and handling as well. Warning--these kits increase rollover risk.
  • Instructions
  • Additional Info
    • (2) The part has an additional shipping charge.
Back to Search Results
Application

(x) RemoveMake: CHEVROLET(x) RemoveModel: K1500 PICKUP(x) RemoveYear: 1998(x) RemoveDoors: 3-door(x) RemoveTruck Bed Length: ShortShow All Applications
Results 1 - 1 of 1Page 1 of 1
MakeCHEVROLETModelK1500 PICKUPBeginning Year1997Ending Year1999Engine TypeV8Engine FamilyChevy small block Gen IFuel TypeGasolineDoors3-doorTruck CabExtendedTruck Bed StyleFleetside/StylesideTruck Bed LengthShortAmount of Lift Front3.0 in.Amount of Lift Rear1.5 in.Drivetrain4WDFront SuspensionIndependent front suspensionNumber of Lugs6Maximum Tire Height (in)33 in.Maximum Tire Width (in) (application)12.0 in.Recommended Wheel Width (in)8.00 in.Recommended Wheel Backspace (in)4.500 in.
 
I had that exact Rancho 2-3" lift. IT SUCKED ASS! Run away from any of the 2-3" lifts. It's basically like cranking your torsion bars 2" and hoping all is well...it'll eat ball joints and steering components like candy and forget about aligning it correctly.

You can run 285's on the stock wheels on a bone stock 4x4 of that era. The 2-3" lift basically gets you nothing but a lighter bank account and a whole lot of trouble. For the money I put into mine over 3 years (including having it removed and then tossing it in a dumpster - I would have felt bad selling it to someone) I could have started with a really nice 4 or 6 inch IFS lift AND regeared the axles. Either that or been most of the way to having enough for a SAS.


FORGET IT! Put the 285's on stock or put whatever size you want on and cut to fit.
 
My Yukon is on 285s and stock wheels, with stock T-bar settings (actually might be lower, my truck sits low compared to other Yukons/Tahoes) and I've got barely any rub whatsoever. I used to wheel it pretty hard too. If you just want to run 285s, leave it alone.
 
try tough country

i installed a 4" tough country on a 1998 suburban 4x4. instead of putting the 4" blocks in the rear we put on a ord shackle flip kit with 1" zero rate add a leaf and u bolt correction kit. it rides like a champ w/ 305 bfg mud terains but it sat a little low in the front and i didnt want to tighten the torsion bars down at all. so i recently purchased a set of rough countrys new replacement torsion bars said to give 1.5" lift in the front. installed them and havent had any problems, still rides great.
 
so nobody out there makes a decent 2" ifs lift? i just want to pick it up off the ground a bit and let ride about where a truck should. 4" seems too much lift and 2" seems just right. so, any (if at all) good 2" systems? if not, what would be the best 4" system?
 
The 2-3" lifts are all basically the same. Same components doing the same things just made by different companies. None of them address the steering or drivetrain wear issues.

4" would be the way I'd go or just cut it to fit bigger tires. Still, unless you want to regear gas mileage is going to drop fast. You can fit 33's bone stock so that's all I would do. I played the lifting GM IFS game and won't do it again.
 
i just want to pick it up off the ground some. it has the biggest tire its going to have under my ownership. the taller ride is what im going for. so i guess ill just have to leave it unless someone comes up with a comprehensive kit that addresses those issues.
 
Sounds like stock is the way to keep it. If you're dead set on lifting it the only way I would do it is a body lift. Messing with that IFS is bad ju-ju.
 
I can't believe you guys haven't heard of Cognito Motorsports. Also, IFS Brothers should visit "TheDieselPlace".
 
i've had the rough country lift on for about 10 years only complaint i have is that it is a pain with the alignment, and this is mainly because I have the torisions cranked all the way. So i just rotate more often, this is my hunting truck now and gets used fairly hard. My tires rub sometimes so I am looking at doing a sas swap to fix that plus it just looks cool as hell. My tires are super swamper ssr 285 75 16 ones pictured are bfg same size just a shade shorter. overall i've enjoyed my little lift

gmc.jpg
 
Cognito does not list anything for the 88-98 ifs trucks. At least on the web site.

My lift is super lifts upper a-arms and ford keyways (the adjusters on the rear end of the T-bars) and 3" longer rancho rs5000 shocks (I recomend better shocks) I got 4.5" of lift measured at the bumper before and after on the 265x75x16 tires. Now I run 315x75x16 with a TINY bit of fender trimming. **Be advised I do not have the stock bumper on the truck so a little trimming may be needed there** I wanted max lift so the bars are cranked up close to max. It rides a bit stiff but no worse than a 3/4t. SInce you are only looking for 2-2.5" of lift you could do the same thing then lower it with the T-bars to get your ride hight and a softer ride. I did not lower the front diff at all and my CV's seam to be happy.

I measured both my truck and my mothers 94 K1500 stock and 265x75x16 tires and they was the same so Im positive it gave me 4.5" of lift.
NOW as soon as my "posi-lok" shows up and I fix the actuator problem once and for all Ill be a little happier.

POSI-LOK -> http://www.4x4posi-lok.com/

sp22%23002.jpg

oc03%23002.jpg
 
For comparison the bottom of the a-arms used to be dead level with the belly of the truck were now they angle down.

EDIT: I mentioned I measured from the bumper but I should note I still had the stock bumper on at the time. This is the best pic I have of after the lift and b4 I built the pre-runner bumper

97gmc.JPG
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom