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Skyjacker or Tuff country???

T

trev1981

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Dec 21, 2006
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Location
Manteca, CA
im stuck between the to kits, any info or experience would be great. mybtrucki is a daily driver but i use it for camping and fishing, and i like to explore trails from time to time. i plain on running 35s so i was going put 4in springs in the front with longer HD shackles. in the back i plane on 2in springs and the 2 1/2 lift SF kit for a total of 4 1/2 of lift. Does this sound like a good plan and if you have any good ideas im always open to them.
 
Sounds like a good plan. I personally would try to find a BDS dealer near you and use BDS springs. If you can't find BDS then I would choose Tuff Country over Skyjacker.

Harley
 
I went with 35's but went with 6" TC's up front, the ORD shackle flip which does 4" with 4" TC's in back and a 1" ORD zero rate for a total of 9" in back to level the truck out. Even with that much lift, I still managed to jam one tire into the back of the front quarter panel while wheeling. A buddy of mine has 35's with 4" of lift and has chewed up both front quarter panels on the lower back part when wheeling, just to let you know.
 
then maybe i should go with a 6 in lift because i plan on adding a big bumper and winch. ill use shims
 
I recommend it. I would go with the ORD shackle flip in the rear too. That way you don't have to have super arched rear springs. You can do 2-4" springs since the shackle flip gives you 4".
 
Tuff Country and BDS have the best reputations around here for flexy stock setup lift springs.
 
You will be better served doing a 4" IMO as long as you are willing to cut the fenders up to let the 35's stuff. 6" and you will be looking to do driveshaft work to most likely. Even 4" you will need to correct your pinion angle with a shackle flip to get rid of vibrations.

When you add a winch and bumper if it makes the front settle to far then add a 1" zero rate to make up for it.

If your not willing to cut the sheetmetal up then you will need at least a 6" lift and driveshaft mods.

Harley
 
ya i dont want to cut but maybe ill have to. if i did cut id want it to look like it was that way from the factory. most cut jobs i've seen don't look to good.
 
trev1981 said:
is the SF bad for towing?
Click to expand...

FF always better. However, if you are into very mild wheeling, and occasional towing, then SF is fine. And, what Hossbaby said is right on the money. I would take a hard look at just how far you want to go, and how much you want to spend. Once you start, it has a ripple effect. First it is a lift, then shims to correct pinion, then a winch and bumper, then a roll cage, then a different transfer case, etc. etc. If this is a daily driver, then you probably won't be all that thrilled once you get 35's, a 6" lift, winch bumper etc. since performance will suffer in the name of off road capability. It won't drive the same as it does now. I wouldn't dream of daily driving my rig at this point. If you only want slightly better off road performance for occasional camping, I'd consider just a couple of inches of lift, which can be accomplished with new springs, new shocks, and 33's. A mild winch bumper with winch if you feel the need. This will keep your existing performance and comfort within reason.
 
ya i know all about the snow ball effect. its my dd for now. i want it to be my weekend/fishing/camping rig. i just bought a 400sbc for it that im going to rebuild. and i want a blazen off road winch bumper and a new rear bumper with tire carrior that will hold jerry cans and a hi-lift jack. maybe ill just cut the fenders to fit the 35s. oh and i plan on an axle swap.
 
Sounds like you are going down the path I went. I started off with a 76 Blazer with 32's on it. Then I swapped in a Corp14ff, a built D60, a built 700r4, a doubler transfer case with triple sticks, then a winch bumper, then a rear tire carrier bumper, then a full full roll cage, then Line-X, then headers, and it still goes on. I hope you don't commute from Manteca anywhere far. If you are going to be taking that over the Altamont frequently, build it but buy a commuter car too...
 
I believe when he asked SF he ment Shackle Flip not semi-float like you thought.

There are mixed opinions on towing with a Shackle Flip. Most say no problem, some say yes problem. A search will yeild alot of info on that. I don't have much input. I used stock style lift springs on mine instead of a shackle flip. I personally am not a huge shackle flip fan but that is more personal thing. Alog of people run them and like them alot including alot of guys I wheel with.

Harley
 
I wondered why he was asking about semi-floaters. Silly me. I wouldn't tow with a shackle flip, but I think wheeling with one is fine. It definitely gives you more of a flexy rear, and that isn't necesarily good for towing.
 
I used to tow with my 75 K10 that had a 4" shackle flip and stock rear springs. Never had any problems, or noticed any negative affects while towing with the shackle flip.
 
75k10chevy said:
I used to tow with my 75 K10 that had a 4" shackle flip and stock rear springs. Never had any problems, or noticed any negative affects while towing with the shackle flip.
Click to expand...

Stock springs probably helped. But, what shocks, what kind of towing, what weight, up a steep hill, in the wind? All will make a difference. I wouldn't tow with my TC springs and shackle flip given the already loose nature of the suspension absent my front swaybar due to the crossover steering.
 
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