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Front end lift

C

Captcoolaid

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Jun 10, 2020
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Location
Shingletown California
Hey all new here and new to GMC as well. I traded my old f150 for a 1990 jimmy. I am trying to lower the front end. I put a Dana rear end in it and put it back to stock height, I would like to do the same to the front.

Thanks in advance .....
 
some stock replacement springs for a 1990 Jimmy will get you back to sock height. how much lift does it have, you might need to change some steering linkage. Is the sway bar still there?
when you dana rear is that d60 or 44 6 or 8 lug? The 1990 jimmy should have a 10 bolt front stock and either 10 or 12 bolt rear
 
The asshat that had it previously didn't ad anything. I will take some pics in a few. It looks like he raised it at least 6 inches by just turning something.
 
Ok, a 90 "Jimmy" is a GMC version of a K5 Blazer. They have a solid axle front with leaf springs. By chance are you referring to a GMC pickup as a "Jimmy"?
They have independent front suspension with torsion bars and can be keyed or cranked to gain height.
Post up a pic to help get this cleared up. :waytogo:
 
You have to have 5 posts to add pics, or become a member for $25.
 
view

Hopefully this works
 
Captcoolaid said:
The asshat that had it previously didn't ad anything. I will take some pics in a few. It looks like he raised it at least 6 inches by just turning something.
Click to expand...
Definitely not 6" - more like 2" or a sagging 4" lift. The thing he turned to raise it was his wrench (while swapping the leaf springs). Looks like standard Chevy lift spring setup. The raised steering arm on the knuckle is the steering correction that was mentioned above. The front axle is a GM 10-bolt. Curious what you took out and put in the back.
 
Looks to be a 4-6" lift springs and a raised steering arm. So going back to stock would mean new springs and stock steering arm.

I would post a "for trade" ad. Those springs are right for someone wanting to run 35s with little to no trimming.

Edit.....You would also need new shocks and u-bolts
 
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Blue you are correct it was a 4 inch lift. I talked with h this morning. His son jumped the truck and broke the rear axle case. I have not touched the front end, however I did replace the rear end with a dana, the guy I got it from has the matching front. I think maybe 150 for it. I may need to reweld the leaf spring pads like I did in the back but I think we'll well worth it.
 
As far as the lift gonna leave it, I traded my 40s for a set of 35 on stock rims so no rubbing. The rear end I got is 1 inch wider than the stock and I am not sure about the front. I will find out tonight. I just welded the shock mounts to the axle and 1 upper mounts. Will try and post pics later. Thanks for the help thus far. I build guitars and guitar pickups for a living, just started on working on trucks about 2 years or so ago so I will have some dumb as ?
 
Captcoolaid said:
As far as the lift gonna leave it, I traded my 40s for a set of 35 on stock rims so no rubbing. The rear end I got is 1 inch wider than the stock and I am not sure about the front. I will find out tonight. I just welded the shock mounts to the axle and 1 upper mounts. Will try and post pics later. Thanks for the help thus far. I build guitars and guitar pickups for a living, just started on working on trucks about 2 years or so ago so I will have some dumb as ?
Click to expand...

No such thing as a dumb question. It’s only dumb if you don’t ask. :waytogo:
 
Captcoolaid said:
I did replace the rear end with a dana, the guy I got it from has the matching front.
Click to expand...
So the new rear is a Dana 44? Do you know what it came out of? Apparently it has a different gear ratio than the stock axles. You'll want 4.10:1 minimum with 35's. Assuming it still has the stock 700R-4 transmission (overdrive), 4.56 is even better. I just bring it up because swapping in a set of 3.08:1 axles will just make you spend money on gears later, rather than finding something with the right ratio now.

Captcoolaid said:
The rear end I got is 1 inch wider than the stock and I am not sure about the front.
Click to expand...
A stock K5 rear end is about 3" shorter overall than the front, so gaining a little width in back is fine/good.
Captcoolaid said:
I put a Dana rear end in it and put it back to stock height
Click to expand...
Captcoolaid said:
It looks like he raised it at least 6 inches by just turning something.
Click to expand...
What did you remove to lower the back? Were you saying the rear lift was done by turning the shackle upside down? That's what we call a "shackle flip" and it is a legitimate way to lift the back 4". When going between shackle up and shackle down the pinion angle has to be dealt with, though. If the front is staying lifted what are you doing in the back to match it?
 
I am going to get the front that matches the rear end today. They took the lift blocks off prior to me getting it. I am putting 31/2 inch blocks back in. I am gonna try 33s first because I have access to them. But yeah 35s are what I originally wanted. Gonna be my daily driver sort of. I do a lot of wood cutting, like maybe 100 chords a year. So we shall see.

Thanks all for the help and pointing me in the right direction.
 
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