Deuling's 1985 K5. "Restart thread on post #8415"

[Deuling]

I dont think $1500 for the whole setup is a bad price really for the alcans. Thats what shady did it for, and there is not shackle flip or anything in there. Add $300 for some 5100s.I would like it to be pretty nice for a while, and if i get some nice springs. i should be able to sell them for a decent price if im not really hard on them. I can sell my van which im not driving nor do i need it anymore and pay for tge entire lift so my wallet really wont be hurting. Ill get a tranny kit this summer (and ive got friends that know alot about rebuilding these and will do it for cost of parts) and redo that. My pocket shouldnt be hurting at all really.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Well, I hear ya but still, what are you going to do for steering? Have an ORD steering brace kit? Parts for a 14FF and 8 lug swap? Wheels for that? Bigger tires? General maintenance on a 27 year old vehicle? Body work? Budgeted for any major issues like a trans ****ting the bed or what not?

Just saying, make sure you have the other stuff done before you go dumping a ton of money into the suspension that you don't think of as a forever setup. My truck needs paint bad and leaks from every seal underneath. I know I need to fix those before I start bothering with any of the "nice to have" stuff to seriously.

 

[Deuling]

I think ill slowly accumuate the 8 lug stuff and work on it over time. Like i said above i will be building the tranny, it wont cost me that much as i have friends that have built em. Il only do the 3" or so lift, with a drop steering arm, if i really need crossover ok but i dont think it will be an issue with that small of a lift. My buddies got a set of 33x12.50 truxus tires hes gonna sell me pretty cheap and ive got 2 rallys from dave they will fit, just need 2 more. I should be good. Body work and paint will be all me. My buddy has the whole setup and so does my boss (who hom and my dad painted a ton of muscle cars and trucks back in the day and know what to do). I have alot of connections on alot of things. Makes this much easier to do stuff.

 

[jekquistk5]

Let me tell you as I am being nickel and dimed to death right now. Flap discs, welding gas(make sure you turn it off ), hardware, etc. It all adds up man. I would through an extra 500 on top of whatever you estimate. Granted my build is a little more intense than a simple lift but still, the little things will get you.

 

[Deuling]

I understand Jess. I wont let it break the bank though. If i need more money to spend I can always push it aside and bank some cash for a bit

 

[76zimmer]

Adam, I got two more of those steel Rallyes on the 12 bolt...you want em?

 

[Deuling]

Adam, I got two more of those steel Rallyes on the 12 bolt...you want em?

Yes I do sir. They the same ones? You wouldnt happen to have any trim rings and the caps with em would ya??

 

[76zimmer]

Yep same ones, but a little rusty, they do have center caps, one is missing the emblem, and those are not in real good shape either. But they are good rollers at least, they still have the same tires on them that you got with the front axle.

 

[Deuling]

Sand blasting will clean em right up and some gray paint (maybe black I'll have to decide) and I can find nice caps and some beauty rings, then I'll mount those Truxus 33 12.50s on those from my buddy and keep my buckshots on the other rims, or maybe sell them.

 

[76zimmer]

Did you look at the wheels on that D44 good, seems like some of them had some flap wheel marks in them.

 

[Deuling]

Oh idk didn't look that close. Something beauty rings and a nice coat of paint couldn't hide? Don't need close up looks, just look good from a little ways away.

 

[shady]

Anything custom built is going to be nicer than something mass produced.

Tuff countrys or BDS springs are typically considered the smoothest riding springs and the trucks I have ridden in or had I would agree with this.

I have superlifts on the Jimmy, its not bad, but I think tuff countrys or BDS would probably ride smoother.

Beyond the leaf springs Adam don't cheap out on shocks, they are important. Easy and cheap to extend your shock towers with some Ford shock towers, easy and cheap to relocate you stock upper shackle hanger ( front) forward like Dave did on his. Don't have enough money for a shackle flip get to building one yourself, Blocks in the back are fine for now if you can't afford springs or a flip.

They key is doing little things like moving axles around ( you don't need zero rates just a drill), getting a good ( not the best) shock, extended you towers, new bushings, stronger shackles etc.

Spend what you can and then optimize those

The custom ones are only $100 more for front springs than the EZ rides.

Keep in mind that any lift springs will ride rougher than the stock suspention. That being said my Tuff country Ez-Rides are about the best ride you can get out of the mass produced springs.

I dont know about the ride of EZ rides but I've heard the same. My alcans With 3" lift DO ride better than stock though.

I'd say just do a Tuff Country or BDS (bonus that they're from Michigan) lift, some Bilsteins, and crossover. Put your money into fixing the other stuff on the truck. Get the suspension decent and call it good until you can put tons of money into it. No point in putting THOUSANDS into the suspension that won't be what you really want in the long run.

Well, I hear ya but still, what are you going to do for steering? Have an ORD steering brace kit? Parts for a 14FF and 8 lug swap? Wheels for that? Bigger tires? General maintenance on a 27 year old vehicle? Body work? Budgeted for any major issues like a trans ****ting the bed or what not?

Just saying, make sure you have the other stuff done before you go dumping a ton of money into the suspension that you don't think of as a forever setup. My truck needs paint bad and leaks from every seal underneath. I know I need to fix those before I start bothering with any of the "nice to have" stuff to seriously.

Mine inluded the Drop pitman in the extra $500 on top of the springs. No brace yet. I'm gonna build that.

Let me tell you as I am being nickel and dimed to death right now. Flap discs, welding gas(make sure you turn it off ), hardware, etc. It all adds up man. I would through an extra 500 on top of whatever you estimate. Granted my build is a little more intense than a simple lift but still, the little things will get you.

My lift was done for $1500 total. No extras needed. I did a simple wipe down and paint over though too. Maybe $25-$30 in spray paint and nothing more.


Just had to add my $.02 to the thread

As for rear suspension, As adam asked me,, Why would you want to reuse the old crappy shot rear springs on a flip. By the time you get the flip Go through all the hassle of dropping the tank to do it. getting better rear stock springs (maybe), and all that you can buy new matching springs and be done. Their only $500 for the pair for customs. (Same price as Tuff countrys)

 

[shady]

I'm not trying to talk Adam into anything. Its just that if your going to do it, do it the way you want. Something he told me while texting back and forth that hasnt been mentioned here, is that he is thinking about saving up and buying a different truck later on to BEAT and go hog wild on. He wants to keep this one nice.

Is that still what your thinkin Adam?

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Getting TrXus MT's or the STS's? I had MT's on my Ranger and LOVED them.


If the wheels have marks on them you could always paint them with Rustoleum Hammered. Nice "golf ball" pebbly texture that hides crap underneath.

 

[Deuling]

I'm not trying to talk Adam into anything. Its just that if your going to do it, do it the way you want. Something he told me while texting back and forth that hasnt been mentioned here, is that he is thinking about saving up and buying a different truck later on to BEAT and go hog wild on. He wants to keep this one nice.

Is that still what your thinkin Adam?

Yah i would like to do something like big dans rig to just beat on and go crazy with.

Getting TrXus MT's or the STS's? I had MT's on my Ranger and LOVED them.


If the wheels have marks on them you could always paint them with Rustoleum Hammered. Nice "golf ball" pebbly texture that hides crap underneath.

Mts baby! They are a sweet looking tire, and yes that hammered paint is the beezneez for unperfect surfaces. Used it on lots of stuff, good call.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Just a thought but I recently used some of the brush on Hammered and it came out pretty nice. Seemed to have a smoother texture and be a bit thicker. Finish was sorta "High School Audio Visual equipment" finish. Which is actually what Rustoleum Hammered is - they bought the old Hammertite paint brand years ago.

I loved those MT's. They gripped well and slung dirt/mud/sand whatever like a true Swamper. Were rather heavy to balance though, FWIW.

 

[Deuling]

Just a thought but I recently used some of the brush on Hammered and it came out pretty nice. Seemed to have a smoother texture and be a bit thicker. Finish was sorta "High School Audio Visual equipment" finish. Which is actually what Rustoleum Hammered is - they bought the old Hammertite paint brand years ago.

I loved those MT's. They gripped well and slung dirt/mud/sand whatever like a true Swamper. Were rather heavy to balance though, FWIW.

Ill look into that. And yah they are on my buddies truck at the moment. If you go to the first page of the my thread and look at the dune pics the one where Im parked next to my buddies maroon GMC. Prolly 60% tread left and he will most likely make a really good deal. And I like em cuz I know they work well in the sand cuz ive ridden with him up there. (and they look BA)

 

[76zimmer]

a coat or two of primer, and a couple of paints coats will make em look pretty good from 10' Adam...the rings and caps would probably conceal most of it anyway.

 

[Deuling]

Super lift springs? Dave arent you runnin them???


My buddy nate told me today he got a 50% off superlift one time discount card from a guy who won it and didnt want it. Hes ordering a 6" lift for his f250 and told me I could get a lift too and as long as its on one order we could both get half off..... Now thats a pretty BA deal.. But I havnt heard much about superlift on here, in fact one thread I found asking bout them said "not many people runnin em on here"... If I can get a 4" all spring lift for like $400-500.... Should I do it, or run with the Alcans??? Just wondering

 

[76zimmer]

Super lift springs? Dave arent you runnin them???


My buddy nate told me today he got a 50% off superlift one time discount card from a guy who won it and didnt want it. Hes ordering a 6" lift for his f250 and told me I could get a lift too and as long as its on one order we could both get half off..... Now thats a pretty BA deal.. But I havnt heard much about superlift on here, in fact one thread I found asking bout them said "not many people runnin em on here"... If I can get a 4" all spring lift for like $400-500.... Should I do it, or run with the Alcans??? Just wondering

Yep, got 6" supers in front, Dayton 2700# replacement packs in the rear, with about 1/3 of the leaves removed. I'm no spring guru, but it works dam good from what the experts say for stock sized springs.
Ask Eric, I think he has Superlift on his Jimmy also.