How would you fit 38s?

[txbartman]

I am looking at putting 38s on a trail rig that sees little highway driving (but some), I have found numerous ways to get these tires to fit, and I have listed some here. If it was your rig, how would you go about it?

1. no lift + no fenders (LOL - don't really like that idea)
2. 4" spring lift f/r + lots of fender trimming
3. 6" spring lift f/r + some fender trimming
4. 6" front springs + 2" rear springs + shackle flip + some fender trimming
5. 4" front springs + 2" front add-a-leaves + 2" rear springs + shackle flip + some fender trimming
6. 8" spring lift f/r
7. Any combo of smaller springs, add-a-leaves, and shackle flip to obtain 8" lift

Your thoughts, ladies and gents?

Brian
Check out <a target="_blank" href=http://tx85gmcguy.alloffroad.com>My Jimmy</a> with all her projects!

 

[Mudzer]

I currently have 6" front springs with 5" long front shackles, 4" rear springs and factory shackle flip. My truck sits a little low in the back. I can stuff my 37" Boggers into the front fenderwells. I am planning to go with 39.5x15 tires soon so I'll let you know how they fit.

Mudzer 1978/91 K5
<font color=blue><a target="_blank" href=http://www.mudzer.rockcrawler.com>www.mudzer.rockcrawler.com</a></font color=blue>

 

[txbartman]

Do you get any rub on the front? What brand springs you running? What brand are those shackles? How does it ride/flex? Would you do it again that way?

Brian
Check out <a target="_blank" href=http://tx85gmcguy.alloffroad.com>My Jimmy</a> with all her projects!

 

[zakk]

#4 for max flex IMHO.
i am going 6" front spring, 4" rear spring &amp; 2.5" flip. on 39.5's (someday)

-zakk

'77 1-Ton K5

CK5's MOAB 2002 OR BUST!!

 

[Pure Insanity]

I run 6" springs and a 3" body lift. My fenders were trimmed very little by the guy that had it before me to fit 40s on it w/ out the body lift. I dont think set up the way it is it will hit the fenders. If you look at the pic of it in my sig, you prob cant even see the trimming.

If ya can't stop.......Smile as you go under!

PIC of mine from flblazers site<a target="_blank" href=http://www.flblazer.alloffroad.com/photo3.html>
GO</a>

 

[SlyDog]

I would say 4" inch lift + alot of fender trimming, keeps the center of gravity down plus not alot of drivetrain changes

<font color=green>

1977 K5 GETTIN IT AWN

</font color=green>
BUILT NOT BOUGHT

 

[77Blazer]

i did what slydog said ^^^^

350, sm465, NP205, 14ff w/detroit, yucky ten bolt 4" springs,38.5x14.5 swampers
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.planettribes.com/theden/gontw/nsig.jpg>http://www.planettribes.com/theden/gontw/nsig.jpg</a>

 

[CaptCrunch]

For a 4" lifted truck I would cut the fenders similar top steve's and add a 2" or 3" body lift.

-Mikey
1987 Chevy K5 Blazer- 350 TBI
<a target="_blank" href=http://coloradok5.com/gallery/captcrunch>http://coloradok5.com/gallery/captcrunch</a>

 

[four_by_ken]

77Blazer... any chance you could post a picture somewere else also. From here at work, they have that site blocked out. And I cant see it!

Ken H.


'86 K5 up and coming
14 bolt(Detroited),10 bolt,39.5 Boggers rear,
TSLs front, 468 BBC, 350 trans, 205 transfer
Rust free in Michigan!

 

[four_by_ken]

Or even e-mial it to me?

Ken H.


'86 K5 up and coming
14 bolt(Detroited),10 bolt,39.5 Boggers rear,
TSLs front, 468 BBC, 350 trans, 205 transfer
Rust free in Michigan!

 

[blazbrnc]

3.5" lift, 38.5"x14.5" SX's, some fender trimming. <a target="_blank" href=http://wsphotofews.excite.com/008/kd/5n/gp/jl22195.jpg>http://wsphotofews.excite.com/008/kd/5n/gp/jl22195.jpg</a>

'79 K5, '79 Suburban, '76 Br**co, 77 K20
'99 BB 4x4 Suburban to tow more junk home

 

[Mudzer]

The front springs are Skyjacker 6". The shackles were custom made by Bigdaddyof2 on the boards. It rides pretty good and flexes decent, still have a few minor suspension mods to do for more flex. I am definately a fan of 6" lift over my old 4". It does rub on the inner fenders and occaisoinally it will take a chunk of tread off the boggers as I contact my trimmed fenders. I plan to remove more of the fender and inner fender, plus bend the body seam flat on the firewall. Check out my other post, it seems to have generated some good topics about fitting large tires on smaller lifts.

One thing about doing a stock shackle flip. These do not usually net a full 4" like the ORD brackets do. I think I only got about 2.5" total lift from just cutting a hole in the stock rear hanger and re-positioning the shackle. I bought all greasable bushings from ORD. See, one day K5BLT4FUN and I were chatting about my new lift before I installed it. He said I should use 4" rear springs with the stock shackle modification. At first, I thought it would set way high in the rear. I thought it would be roughly 8" of lift in the rear. Well turns out I was way wrong and he nailed it perfectly. It sits level or even a little squatty in the rear. This is even with Brand new Superlift 4" rear springs and used front 6" springs. I think Skyjacker springs are taller than advertised. Plus I installed the 5" long shackles which should add about 1/2" lift or less. So, when you decide to install a lift and are planning on doing the stock shackle flip like mine, you should only guess it as around 2.5" of lift.

Mudzer 1978/91 K5
<font color=blue><a target="_blank" href=http://www.mudzer.rockcrawler.com>www.mudzer.rockcrawler.com</a></font color=blue>

 

[jekbrown]

Front: 4" springs + 1" ORD zero-rates
Back: ORD 4" flip + 1" ORD zero-rates + slightly taller spring perch to get rid of saggy butt.

oh yeah...LOTS of fender trimming. =p The setup above is what I am going to run eventually...but I have a ORD 1" body lift also...so maybe I wont have to cut ALL my sheetmetal off.

Jason


See the on-going build up of my '85 Jimmy! http://community.webshots.com/user/jekbrown