New K5 with lift height questions???

[xjmyway]

Soooo...This is my first K5 and it's time to make it what I want it to be...

What is is now:
88 Jimmy
D60 Front, crossover high steer
14FF rear, Detroit
unknown lift springs and height
hydro assist
42" TSL Bias

Future plans:
Streetable crawler (not DD just drivable)
52's in front
shackle flip in rear
Beadlocks
cage, etc. etc.

Here's my issue, I want to do the 52's up front with a shackle flip in the rear but don't know what my current lift is...I want to actually go lower maybe a couple inches or so. Cutting body is inevitable and I don't car how much must go.

Is there something I can measure to get an idea of what my current lift is? Or can you tell by the pictures?

Also if anyone cares to look over my idea for the front 52 swap I plan on this:

DIY4X B52
DIY4X Shackle front hangers
WFO double high steer arms (relocate my ram and truss farther back)
whatever pitman, links, etc (maybe reuse existing if anything lines up)
I know that's not everything but from what I can tell these two items make a 52 swap that much more manageable.

thanks

 

[82355]

I'd skip the high steer.

Do you have pictures of the lift? How about a measurement from the front axle tube to the frame rail?

Martin

 

[nvrenuf]

Measure the distance between the top of the front axle tube to the bottom of the frame. Stock is +/-8".

My guess is you've got 6"~7" of lift.

 

[xjmyway]

I'd skip the high steer.

Do you have pictures of the lift? How about a measurement from the front axle tube to the frame rail?

Martin

I'll have to measure that after work today thanks.

And in regards to skipping the high steer...it's already on high steer, so 2wd box, drag link, etc. is already there. Plan on swapping to a double arm and move my ram assist back. Unless you have a better idea?

 

[82355]

Post pics, so we can see what you're working with.

Martin

 

[xjmyway]

alrighty then...I've got say 15 1/4" from the top of teh axle to the frame so I'm guessing 6" lift...Good Guess!!

And here are the pictures, if you want to see something more specific, let me know.

thanks again for all your help.

 

[nvrenuf]

Nice set up, got a lot of cool parts on that front end.

As for moving the hi steer to the back side - why? When swapping to 52's you'll move the axle 2" which is still within the range of motion for the steering in it's current configuration.

 

[tRustyK5]

curious why you're not using the 5th stud through the high steer arms when it has the Deddy knuckles? Being high steer, you have a lot of extra stress up there.

 

[xjmyway]

few things

1) My math was flawed...7" of lift currently with 15" from frame to axle, not 6". So 52's, shackle flip, and zero rates should get me to about 5" which is about where I want to be.

2) I don't have the 5th stud because I haven't purchased any yet? Guess I just need to source singles. It was high steer on stock knuckles when I bought it, but the knuckles were shot.

3) Please explain how moving the axle forward 2" will work with the current steering...The pitman arm will be above the drag link from the way I see it? Different pitman, or am I over looking something.

thanks

 

[6.2Blazer]

Based on all of the pictures I would say they are 6" lift springs. Keep in mind the 8" stock height is just estimated and not a hard number for every factory K5 made, plus the D60 is usually worth about an inch of lift over stock.

The 52's are a good plan but plan on a LOT of trimming to accommodate 42" tires with the extra flex.

 

[rampage]

Curious, how do you open the doors from the outside without door handles? Did the PO put in poppers?

 

[xjmyway]

Based on all of the pictures I would say they are 6" lift springs. Keep in mind the 8" stock height is just estimated and not a hard number for every factory K5 made, plus the D60 is usually worth about an inch of lift over stock.

The 52's are a good plan but plan on a LOT of trimming to accommodate 42" tires with the extra flex.

Yeah thank you...that's good to know and yes, it's got some trimming now but I don't plan on leaving much sheet metal once I get the stance right, so I'm sure I will be removing a lot...

 

[nvrenuf]

The 52's are a good plan but plan on a LOT of trimming to accommodate 42" tires with the extra flex.

Agreed. I've got about 7" with a fair amount trimmed away and my 43's will hit the bottom of my core support while turning and compressing (ie; turning into my driveway).

 

[xjmyway]

Curious, how do you open the doors from the outside without door handles? Did the PO put in poppers?

Yeah poppers like it's a low rider, I wouldn't have done it but it will have tube doors soon enough...