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Oh to lift or not to lift... I cant decide

four_by_ken

four_by_ken

1/2 ton status
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Allenton, MI
I keep thinking about doing a 4 inch lift on the daily driver M1009.

Now this is a daily driver and mostly street driven truck. Some two tracks or simple stuff... nothing that a stocker couldn't handle.

Admittedly... I am wanting the lift mostly for looks.

To keep price down, would do springs in the front and flip in the rear, or maybe blocks to be real cheap.

I will not go over a 33 inch tire for sure.

31s would look ridiculous with a 4 inch lift, no?

Whatcha think?

Here it is currently.

IMAG0159Small.jpg
 
I'm in the same boat. My current plan is a 2.5" lift with 33's max. I think it's a good compromise...I'll prolly go with 2.5" TC EZ rides, and make a 3" shackle flip for the rear.

Rene
 
tRustyK5 said:
I'm in the same boat. My current plan is a 2.5" lift with 33's max. I think it's a good compromise...I'll prolly go with 2.5" TC EZ rides, and make a 3" shackle flip for the rear.

Rene
Click to expand...

dam good pic also in my opinion. blazer and burb need 1" extra in the rear. :wink1:
 
Good point. Dont really need to lift it 4 inches.. could go with a 2 inch.

I would love to get a set of Alcan springs... but, they are just a little too much money for me right now on something I dont NEED.



I was also thinking of just a zero rate and 33s. but, I want to come up a little more than that.
 
Go with a 2" lift with 33's, I ran a simple K10 like that and it was a functional daily driver and a great weekend warrior (except I kept breaking stuff :) )
 
4" do it, you know you want to :deal: Actually Im going to lift my m1009 as well. Already got the Tuff country HD springs, all 4 shocks, and raised steering arm. Still need to get longer brake lines and a shackle flip from DIY and I will be ready to mount up my 37" hummer tires :D I wouldnt go with EZ ride springs on your rig since the heavy diesel motor will probably make them sag and wear out quickly
 
You'll be glad you lifted it and will wonder why you didn't do it sooner. It may ride better too, depending on what kind of shape your stock springs are in. The EZ Rides will sag a little, so go with the HDs for sure. You won't regret it.
 
I have 2" lift on my K5 and running 33" its the perfect DD combo, along with 700r and 4:10s. It does well on and off road.

With a 2" lift, No modifications needed (although I needed to replace my brakelines anyhow I get extended SS ones, but wasnt necessary)

With a 4" lift, you may need Dropped pitman arm, extended brakelines, driveline angle could be issue.

A 2" spring lift would be so easy and simplier than even a body lift.

I went with Rough country springs and Bilstein 5150 reservoir shocks.
 
The more I think about it... the more I am liking the 2 inch spring lift. Freshed up the ride... get a little more height... for sure no problem with 33s then.

And then with a 700R4 I plan to swap in... 6.2l... the 33s... and the 3.08s... I should be daily driver happy. Actually, I already am... so it will just get better.
 
Sounds like you've come up with the perfect setup for what you need. That's what it's all about.
 
andyblack said:
Sounds like you've come up with the perfect setup for what you need. That's what it's all about.
Click to expand...

With the 3.08s and the 6.2l... its a dog. But, I knew that getting into it. But, its pretty damn economical for a full size. 15-20mpg depending on where and how I am driving.

With the t-case in low range... I have yet to even come close to say that is under powered with the 31s on it.
With the better first gear of a 700R4 and the 33s... I should be good to go all around, no matter what I am driving.

Still wont win any drag races though. :haha:
 
hey

Yeah yeah, once you go 2" lift you'll wish you went 4" everytime. A 4" lift isn't much and it barely effects the driveability of the truck. A 4" lift and 33's looks spot on IMO. Besides you already got a bare bones 6.2 diesel truck military truck and I doubt you bought it for the plush ride qualities, so what if it rides a tad harsher after a 4" lift, its not like your rockin an Escalade anyway. PS. I love the truck, I have always had a chub for the CUCV series rigs.
 
The only thing about the 4" lift is that it needs either a dropped pitman arm or a raised sterring arm for it to drive worth anything. I think either one will cost you about $50(?). If you want to keep your swaybar, you may need to get longer links for it. The two inch lift won't need those extras. Also, if your a short guy like me, the 4" may make you have to get on your tippy toes to close the hood or check the oil. Even if you aren't short, you'll probably need to crawl up on the tire to do some stuff on the engine.
 
andyblack said:
The only thing about the 4" lift is that it needs either a dropped pitman arm or a raised sterring arm for it to drive worth anything. I think either one will cost you about $50(?). If you want to keep your swaybar, you may need to get longer links for it. The two inch lift won't need those extras. Also, if your a short guy like me, the 4" may make you have to get on your tippy toes to close the hood or check the oil. Even if you aren't short, you'll probably need to crawl up on the tire to do some stuff on the engine.
Click to expand...

Then maybe you guys should be buying a Prius if something like being to short to check the oil is considered a problem LOL. Geez, stand on the damn tire or bumper if ya got to HAHA. Yeah a steering arm is cheap and easy to install and I'd get it for a 4" lift. I've had many trucks with a 4-6" lift that ride and drive great. I got 8" on my K5 now and its drives tight and straight as an arrow. I'm 6'2" and still have to stand on the bumper to check the oil, so friggin what?, small price to pay for my baby.:bow:
 
I have a 4" lift on my truck. I was just listing some things that people might want to consider when trying to decide how much lift they want. Some folks may want to keep their rides closer to stock.

I would rather have a dropped pitman arm than a raised steering arm myself.
 
andyblack said:
Does the Prius even have a dipstick?:haha:
Click to expand...

I actually dont even know if it does!!!. Yeah I can appreciate a stockish truck but I somehow can't get it out of my head that every 4x4 truck should have a little lift on it, I just think it looks perfect. I have seen some cherry k5's and pick-ups from the 70-80s that are stock and I always think "nice truck!!, imagine if it had a little lift and tires on it" HA HA. IMO the only trucks that look good low to the ground are the 2wd ones. Anyway, I wasn't raggin on the guy or you, you had great honest points. his truck is nice just as it sits, it can only get better right?? :bow:
 
Agreed! First lift I ever did was a 2 1/2 inch and when parked next to my buddy's truck with a 4 inch there was about a 1 inch difference in the tops of the hood with both rigs on 33's.

All it did was leave me wishing I had ordered the 4 inch for that little extra edge that we all love!

I'd do 4 inch and call it a day...

-Phil
 
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