howdy... i am about to get an 87 k5... ill post pics when i get it... i wana lift it 4-6 inches in order to fit some 35's... that is as tall as i wana go... mostly street and some light mud at the deer lease... it seems that new fromt speings and a rear shackle flip is a common suggestion on here... can yall tell me what the advantage is over just getting 4 new lift springs?? also, i have been reading about getting extended shackles so i guess that also goes in with my original question... why use an extended shackle... thank you!!
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lift kit question
- Thread starter lukc22
- Start date
Flipping the shackle point keeps your existing springs, which may or may not be a good thing. If they're in good shape and you like the way they ride, then the flip will maintain that. Lift springs are often, but not always, stiffer than stock and ride harder.
Correspondingly, if your existing springs are old and saggy, the truck will still sag with the flip. Also, you get what you pay for with lift springs. The off-the-shelf lift springs that come with kits tend to have a small number of thick leaves and ride like a hay wagon. On the other hand, the spendier springs tend to ride better. ORD, for instance, sells custom-designed, built-to-spec packs with lots of thin leaves and ride nicely (I have a pair up front and am happy with them.)
The flips also, well, flip the shackle down, so the back rides like a high heel (or if you prefer, a cowboy boot). Some people say they sway more and are bad for towing. Having neither towed heavy loads on a shackle flip-equipped truck nor worn uncomfortable ladies' shoes, I can't say myself. I have a flip with stock replacement springs in the back and am happy with them.
Longer shackles will net you a smidge more lift (generally gain about half the extra length.) You don't want to go stupid long shackles as you'll screw up the suspension geometry and bork the steering and pinion angles, but a slightly (1/2-1") longer shackle is reasonable, especially up front where the stock ones are kinda thin and can twist.
Also, the more lift you add the more problems you'll have with driveshaft and pinion angles, steering correction, etc. About 4" really is the sweet spot for the most bang and least hassle for the buck.
-- A
Correspondingly, if your existing springs are old and saggy, the truck will still sag with the flip. Also, you get what you pay for with lift springs. The off-the-shelf lift springs that come with kits tend to have a small number of thick leaves and ride like a hay wagon. On the other hand, the spendier springs tend to ride better. ORD, for instance, sells custom-designed, built-to-spec packs with lots of thin leaves and ride nicely (I have a pair up front and am happy with them.)
The flips also, well, flip the shackle down, so the back rides like a high heel (or if you prefer, a cowboy boot). Some people say they sway more and are bad for towing. Having neither towed heavy loads on a shackle flip-equipped truck nor worn uncomfortable ladies' shoes, I can't say myself. I have a flip with stock replacement springs in the back and am happy with them.
Longer shackles will net you a smidge more lift (generally gain about half the extra length.) You don't want to go stupid long shackles as you'll screw up the suspension geometry and bork the steering and pinion angles, but a slightly (1/2-1") longer shackle is reasonable, especially up front where the stock ones are kinda thin and can twist.
Also, the more lift you add the more problems you'll have with driveshaft and pinion angles, steering correction, etc. About 4" really is the sweet spot for the most bang and least hassle for the buck.
-- A
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Mav2u
1/2 ton status
Go with a 2.5 or 3 inch lift an you'll fit 33" tires no problem!
77k5blz
1/2 ton status
I have a 4 inch with 35 bfg mud terrains and they dont rub at all but i havent off roaded it yet they might with articulation. Theyre not even close to rubbing.
Just going to piggyback off what has already been said. A few things to think about.
Gearing
-going to a 35 with stock gearing is going to suck. A 33" will be so-so, not horrible...manageable.
Driveshafts and angles
-Unless you are willing to go with a CV shaft, I wouldn't do a flip. Even more, I would use a ZeroRate to push the rear axle back after using the flip. With the flip, the wheel tends to be farther forward in the opening.
"Mostly street"
- 3"-4" lift and 33" tires is a really nice sweet spot. 35" tires look good but you are getting into gearing problems and slight trimming IF you start flexing the suspension.
- I think a quality ALL SPRING lift will ride better and stay user friendly. The flips tend to cross the line between street friendly and trail truck. IMO anyway.
Gearing
-going to a 35 with stock gearing is going to suck. A 33" will be so-so, not horrible...manageable.
Driveshafts and angles
-Unless you are willing to go with a CV shaft, I wouldn't do a flip. Even more, I would use a ZeroRate to push the rear axle back after using the flip. With the flip, the wheel tends to be farther forward in the opening.
"Mostly street"
- 3"-4" lift and 33" tires is a really nice sweet spot. 35" tires look good but you are getting into gearing problems and slight trimming IF you start flexing the suspension.
- I think a quality ALL SPRING lift will ride better and stay user friendly. The flips tend to cross the line between street friendly and trail truck. IMO anyway.
In my case the flip was cheap and it has leaves the rear springs which are less arched than lift springs, so better ride.
My rig looks really stupid with the axle so far forward though
My rig looks really stupid with the axle so far forward though
My rig looks really stupid with the axle so far forward though
This is what I'm talking about. I have the 4" flip and zerorate 1.5" back. You can see my 38"s sit nice in the wheel well. This truck has 7 leaf 3/4 ton springs and I will NOT be towing with it, far too soft and soggy in the turns.
wilpetty
1/2 ton status
Could I buy 4 new leaf springs and 4 shocks and have a lift?
Sure. But your driveshafts might not fit, brake lines might be too short, and steering will need adjustment.
Depends on how far you push it (i.e. how much taller than stock the springs are.)
-- A
