Lift kit installing help

[K5trs]

Should I buy a stock daily driver k5 and get it lifted myself or, should I look for one that's already lifted. I'm asking this because I heard buying a used 4x4 with a lift is very costly in the long run do to the fact they have been used and abused. So what would be my best option? Whatever I buy will be turned into an off roading vehicle.

**how hard is it to install a 4 or 6 inch lift on a k5 blazer? Any help is apreciated!

 

[meanboyjr]

I would start with a stock or near-stock vehicle, but that's my personal preference. When you buy used, you're going to deal with PO-itis anyway, and IMO it's best to keep that to a minimum if you can.

OTOH, I think you can probably find a nice truck with a lift that hasn't been abused - where do you think the term "mall crawler" comes from?

 

[Fordum]

IF you could find a lifted vehicle that had been done correctly, then you might be money ahead.
But, unless you bought one from someone here, I would say the odds of that are slim.

The plain fact is, a lifted vehicle is less stable than a lower one regardless, but if you add in some of the ways they are lifted, then they are downright dangerous.

A good lift system is reasonably safe to drive as long as you accept its limitations and don't try drifting it around corners at high speed or anything like that.

But a bad lift system can kill you driving through a paved parking lot.

Unless you know it was done right, I would suggest doing it yourself and knowing it was done right.

 

[blazinzuk]

Almost always cheaper to buy already done. The caveat to this is you have to know what you are looking at, whats right and whats not

 

[496truck]

Almost always cheaper to buy already done. The caveat to this is you have to know what you are looking at, whats right and whats not

X2 on this.

And I will add that "used and abused" can come in stock form too, like mine did when I got it. So, it really does come down to knowing what you are looking at and knowing what you want in the end result.

How will you be wheeling it? What size tires you want to run? Sometimes finding a K5 with heavier axles (3/4 or 1 ton) already in it will outweigh some negative aspects of the rig like a cheap lift.

 

[COCHEV]

I also think you can be money ahead buying an already lifted rig. Lots of people lift there trucks, put nice wheels and tires on, but never leave the street. As anyone here knows, once you start dumping money into these things, you never get it back.

Look for one that is lifted, but clean and straight. If every fender has a dent, then you know how it was used

 

[big pappa b]

There is always someone selling a truck because they are tired of it or just lost interest. Many times you can find them for 1/2 of what it would cost you to build it

 

[TheBeast_88K5]

There is always someone selling a truck because they are tired of it or just lost interest. Many times you can find them for 1/2 of what it would cost you to build it

With twice the disappointment.

 

[imiceman44]

Almost always cheaper to buy already done. The caveat to this is you have to know what you are looking at, whats right and whats not

Yeah, if you know what you are looking at it helps, I bought some trucks that had lot of good parts put on them and done the wrong way, I got them cheap enough that I made money once I removed what I didn't need and still ended up with a good truck.

 

[TheBeast_88K5]

I went to look at a, "No rust, california truck, w/ a 6" lift, 35's, and a rebuilt engine/trans."


Turned out, I bought a:

"Canadian-born rig, with rust-under-the-carpet, 4" lift+ 2" blocks, and retarded shackles....
That also had a blown Trans, a grenaded T-case, and cracks in the frame."

Oh, and the wires.... Dear gawd, the wires....

Better know what you're looking for.... Those that abuse rigs, know some awful tricks.

 

[imiceman44]

Well a quick visit to the CARB website would have shown you if it was indeed a CA truck since it had to be smogged every 2 years and would show all the records on the website all you need is lic plate number.

I went to look at a, "No rust, california truck, w/ a 6" lift, 35's, and a rebuilt engine/trans."


Turned out, I bought a:

"Canadian-born rig, with rust-under-the-carpet, 4" lift+ 2" blocks, and retarded shackles....
That also had a blown Trans, a grenaded T-case, and cracks in the frame."

Oh, and the wires.... Dear gawd, the wires....

Better know what you're looking for.... Those that abuse rigs, know some awful tricks.

 

[blackbronco92]

I'm with most of the guys above. There's really no right or wrong answer there, it all comes down to preference and what your capabilities are.

IMO, it's more fun to start out stock and build your way to what you want, but the initial cost will almost always be higher that way. If your budget is loose, and your abilities are high, then that's the way to go, no question.

If you're looking for a rig, out of the box, on the cheap, then you're pretty much left with no other option than to browse craigslist and see what's out there. Be sure to do alot of research ahead of time so you know what to look for by way of how the truck was built, treated, maintained (or lack thereof), etc.

 

[Fordum]

If any part of the lift kit is wood, probably not going to be a good buy.

You may think I am kidding.
There is a picture somewhere of a truck on the road with lift blocks made out of 4X4s!!!

 

[chulisohombre]

i bought mine with the lift already on it and if i had to do again i would have bought a stock truck and built it myself.i have since gone through everything he did and rebuilt or replaced most of the crap he did.still as always a work in progress,but its much more capable and safe from some of the half ass stuff that was done.

 

[K5trs]

Thanks for all the responses guys! Being a high school student my budget is pretty tight. I would rather buy a lifted one but I've heard so many horror stories about them. What should I look for regarding the lifts? What should I look for in general to make sure I'm getting a good k5? I'm not mechanically inclined at all but I want to learn!

 

[blackbronco92]

Thanks for all the responses guys! Being a high school student my budget is pretty tight. I would rather buy a lifted one but I've heard so many horror stories about them. What should I look for regarding the lifts? What should I look for in general to make sure I'm getting a good k5? I'm not mechanically inclined at all but I want to learn!

Take a minute to study this post: http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=276543

That's a great write-up on what to look for when buying a K5. Again, I am still learning these trucks. I know everything there is to know when it comes to giving a Full Size Bronco a lookover to determine it's value, but I'm in the same boat as you with a K5.

As for not being mechanically inclined... There is no better way to learn than on your very own truck. That said, I would almost now even further recommend that you look at fairly stock trucks for two reasons. (1) if you are not mechanically inclined, better to develop your basic skills by working on a mostly factory truck. (2) Especially if you have real good friends that can help you out, and if some of them may have a little more experience with this kind of thing, you could learn a LOT from them through the build-up phase. I find that to most people, these projects look alot more intimidating than they really are. Once you gain a good understanding of HOW things work, and WHY they work, then fixing and upgrading is typically not all that hard and can be alot of fun. Just remember, Safety is first, not only in working on your rig, but also in how you build it. Cutting corners equals high risk, you don't want to be there.

 

[chulisohombre]

Thanks for all the responses guys! Being a high school student my budget is pretty tight. I would rather buy a lifted one but I've heard so many horror stories about them. What should I look for regarding the lifts? What should I look for in general to make sure I'm getting a good k5? I'm not mechanically inclined at all but I want to learn!

yep this is a great way to learn how to work on stuff.if i were you id look for a 87 to 91 blazer or jimmy.it will have fuel injection and solid axles.the 10 bolt will have 30 spline axle shafts which is a lil stronger than the earlier ones.since you live in new mexico,rust wont be much of an issue but id look under the doors and rockers and see what is there.check the frame by the steering box for cracks.and read over the post black bronco posted.it will tell you the basic ins and outs of what to look for on our trucks.ive heard a few guys printed it out like a checklist when going to buy a truck and it would really help if you dont have much experience.id say the best and least used tool is a friend with a extra set of eyes.when i got mine i went in blind and was so excited to find one close to what i wanted that i couldnt see what kind of work i would have to put in to get it where it is now.

 

[Jessie James]

Take a minute to study this post: http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=276543

That's a great write-up on what to look for when buying a K5.

I came here to post that. Oh, that is MY buyers guide? Shucks!

I personally prefer non-modified vehicles. Usually everything is where it should be, so upgrades are easier. Not easy ... just easier.

FWIW I spent 1.5 years looking for the perfect CA truck. Check my profile album for photos and I think you will agree it was worth the wait.

 

[K5trs]

I found a 79 blazer it's rusted pretty bad on the wheel wells in a couple of places it's through. The wiring is a little messed up they gauges apparently aren't accurate. It has a ton of spare parts in the back of it. It does have a good running 350 in it and rebuilt tranny but I haven't gone under to check the drive train and things like that. It's lifted with 35 inch tires he wants 1800 for it would that be worth it?

 

[blackbronco92]

I found a 79 blazer it's rusted pretty bad on the wheel wells in a couple of places it's through. The wiring is a little messed up they gauges apparently aren't accurate. It has a ton of spare parts in the back of it. It does have a good running 350 in it and rebuilt tranny but I haven't gone under to check the drive train and things like that. It's lifted with 35 inch tires he wants 1800 for it would that be worth it?

Really hard to say without seeing it, and I'm not sure of the used car market where you're from. Also, your idea of rusty in new mexico may be widely different than what we consider rusty here in Michigan.

That said, $1800 sounds pretty high to me. More specs on the truck would be needed. What kind of spare parts come with it? Is the engine stock and original or built up?