One ton lift.

[-stew-]

I've got a broken rear spring on my 1990 v3500. I'm looking for info on lift options. I've never lifted a truck, I can handle the mechanicals, its the shopping list I need advice on.

Im looking to go 4-6 inches with four new springs. I don't want to lose load carrying ability. No idea what size or if I'll put tires on it, I'm currently running very narrow 34ish inch tires. Not sure what all I'm gonna need and would like some direction.

Thanks,

Stew

 

[63chevyll]

In the front a rough country, rancho or even super lift spring will be ok. The rear will need the strong spring.

My best recommendation is to look for a localspring shop and have them build, order what you need. And if lift isn't high enough, then use a small block to compensate.

 

[80' 427]

What I did on my K30 that I wanted to keep the load carrying capacity up on was to buy HD front springs from ORD and replace my rear springs (also broken) with new/ rebuilt stock rear springs and use a shackle flip. I would also replace the rear U bolts with the 3/4 ton style since with the 4" lift you will have plenty of clearance.

 

[-stew-]

What's the difference in the u bolts?

 

[80' 427]

One tons have the threads on the bottom under the axle, 3/4s have the U bolt wrap around the axle and the threads are on the top. You will most likely need new U bolts and the bottom plates will most likely have rusted the crap out of the bottom of your axle. You can use 3/4 upper plates or buy them from ORD or DIY4x.

 

[-stew-]

Oh ok, I know what you're talking about now. This is starting to sound expensive. Awesome.

 

[80' 427]

You don't have to change the way the U bolts are but if they are rusty they may be hard to remove with out damaging them. I actually just used the rear c30 springs I had since they are exactly the same spec as a K30. You can used any front spring but I was going to truck pull etc with mine so I went HD fronts. Not sure it is a big deal.

 

[-stew-]

Did some looking and a rough country 6" lift seems to be my best bet. Only thing i dont like is its a 4 inch rear spring with a two inch block, but i can lice with that. Talked to a guy who just put one on his v3500 and said its very complete and straightforward.

 

[sweetk30]

buddy has a 6" rough country in his 1ton and hates it

so darn stiff he had a full cord of firewood in the back and didnt even move. and going off road the frame flexes most of the time before the springs do any work.

 

[-stew-]

buddy has a 6" rough country in his 1ton and hates it

so darn stiff he had a full cord of firewood in the back and didnt even move. and going off road the frame flexes most of the time before the springs do any work.

I don't care ride quality. If I did I wouldn't have sold my Lincoln to buy this. And I don't plan on wheeling it.

 

[sweetk30]

lots of people say that till thay ride in the solid suspension.

pm manchildau65 for real info. he is the one i was talking about.

my 1 ton had a set of i think super lift 4" stiff monsters i got used in the front end and flip in the rear. and with 8ft or 9ft fisher snow plow on the front it only sags max 1" . i even have greasable bushings on it. it rides to stiff in the front for me.

just trying to give my opinion on this deal for ya before you buy . good luck on what ever you pick.

 

[nvrenuf]

I can say first hand that a crew cab with a Rough Country lift isn't that much worse than Superlift. I had a 6" RC kit on my 91 crew cab specifically because that brand has the highest spring rates of the off the shelf kits. I wanted a strong spring that would not sag after a while under a heavy crew cab body. Alternately I had a short bed K10 with 10" Superlift springs and they round about the same - very firm but not rigid.

Ultimately I was happy with the ride of my crew cab. I mean, it's a lifted leaf sprung truck... it will never ride like a car.

 

[-stew-]

And even as it is now, its got 95psi load range f tires on it.it doesn't ride "nice."