Lonnie
1/2 ton status
First post here.... been reading in silence the past few weeks.
I recently bought a new project... a '77 Chevy truck which is destined as a show vehicle. It is a project that a friend lost interest in & sold to me after sitting for almost 10yrs. (Please no "show truck" criticism, I also have an '82 with a built 427, 35"BFG's, 4.56's, locker & truetrac to beat on)
The '77 has a 4" suspension lift (rear blocks) + a set of zero rates. It also has a 3" body lift (necessary for the tilt front end & hydraulic tilt bed). Currently it has 35x14.50 Mickey's on half ton axles. I have the tires/wheels sold (as I want something larger) & will be installing a 14bolt FF rear & dana front. I prefer to run 16" wheels due to the bead preference over 16.5 wheels. As far as lift, I am speculating possible taller front springs and/or longer shackles & most likely a shackle flip with re-arched springs for the rear (to eliminate the blocks). Ride & drivability will be a concern, but unfortunately due to all the underside paint & chrome, it will not be offroad. I would like larger tires, such as 38-39" but cannot cut or risk hitting the tires on the new GM sheetmetal.
Does anyone have some suggestions/experiences on lift & tire/wheel combinations that look good without tearing up the body or having off road only type ride/handling (Boggers would be my choice if I ever thought it would go offroad but in my opinion are a little too harsh for the street). Thanks in advance for any help.
Lonnie
I recently bought a new project... a '77 Chevy truck which is destined as a show vehicle. It is a project that a friend lost interest in & sold to me after sitting for almost 10yrs. (Please no "show truck" criticism, I also have an '82 with a built 427, 35"BFG's, 4.56's, locker & truetrac to beat on)
The '77 has a 4" suspension lift (rear blocks) + a set of zero rates. It also has a 3" body lift (necessary for the tilt front end & hydraulic tilt bed). Currently it has 35x14.50 Mickey's on half ton axles. I have the tires/wheels sold (as I want something larger) & will be installing a 14bolt FF rear & dana front. I prefer to run 16" wheels due to the bead preference over 16.5 wheels. As far as lift, I am speculating possible taller front springs and/or longer shackles & most likely a shackle flip with re-arched springs for the rear (to eliminate the blocks). Ride & drivability will be a concern, but unfortunately due to all the underside paint & chrome, it will not be offroad. I would like larger tires, such as 38-39" but cannot cut or risk hitting the tires on the new GM sheetmetal.
Does anyone have some suggestions/experiences on lift & tire/wheel combinations that look good without tearing up the body or having off road only type ride/handling (Boggers would be my choice if I ever thought it would go offroad but in my opinion are a little too harsh for the street). Thanks in advance for any help.
Lonnie
