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Well, help me understand! (PLEASE)

Maddog101

Maddog101

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So it appears a previous owner wanted to lift this truck so high it's almost impossible to climb in, or do anything under the hood without a ladder or tall step stool.

First, he installed a 3" body lift at all body bushing sites.

IMG_9213.jpg


And I guess then he either altered the springs or replaced them with a high lift type.


IMG_9216.jpg

IMG_9218.jpg

It's currently 11.5" between the top leaf (RF) and the bottom of the frame. Can someone please measure this same area on your K5 and see what I've got here compared to yours? The top of the radiator support is right at 5 feet off the ground. I would prefer something at stock or maybe 2" above, but it is very difficult for me to even get in the cab w/o a step stool as is. Also not shown here is a 3" - 4" thick lift block between each rear spring and rear axle. Also, the truck has 15" wheels with 33's....(which I kinda like)...

So.......What do I have, and what do I need to get this thing manageable? Thanks, Lee

IMG_9229.jpg
 
Mine is stock and I have to use a step stool!
There's steps you can attach to the body for enter/egress. I carry the step stool in the back
with my tools.
I would definitely lose that body lift, but that's just me.

If those springs are 2 leaf I'd say they're stock. Fwiw, my K5 sits a bit higher than my 'burb, both stock 4x4s.


My suburban came with something like these...
ld-hoop-steps_6.jpg

The step ladder i use....standing-on-a-step-ladder.jpg
 
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Also, how tall are you?
 
Just measured, my K5 with extremely worn out springs is just over 6".
Think I'll order some replacements today...
 
Big Ray said:
I was a full 6'2", now I'm in the 5'11" club lol. I need a set of steps for my K5 myself, and it's stock! Lol
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm 70 y/o.... I too understand "shrinkage" lol :eek2: Steps will probably be in order for me too. Right now it's all I can do to pull myself up and in, holding onto the windshield frame and the roll bar.... (it ain't a very pretty sight)
 
A stock height truck measures about 8.5" between the top of the front axle tube and bottom of the frame.

Let's Play Measure Your Lift

Ok, I'm trying to figure how much lift I ended up with after my lifted 52" front spring swap. '91 K5 with 2.5" lift 52's (overload removed) on a D60 w/ B52's and 7.25 shackles. Distance from axle tube to bottom of frame rail = 14.5" Would someone with standard front lift springs please...
ck5.com ck5.com
 
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I just realized you are talking about a 1st Gen, the measurement I posted is technically for a 73-87(91) but I imagine it's very similar.
 
nvrenuf said:
I just realized you are talking about a 1st Gen, the measurement I posted is technically for a 73-87(91) but I imagine it's very similar.
Click to expand...

Yeah I bet they're very similar.... I'll go check mine from the measuring points you used (I measured from the top of the spring instead of the top of the front axle tube). Thanks for your help!

Okay, here we go; measuring from the top of the front axle tube, I have 14" of space betw it and the bottom of the frame rail. So if 8.5" is the factory norm, then my front end is almost 6" higher than stock just from the springs, plus a 3" body lift. No wonder I can't get in the damn thing w/o a fight!

Thanks again! You guys are SOOOOO helpful!
 
I looked back at your pics in your intro post way back, I'm afraid that lift has ruined the truck so I'll make arrangements to come to Tx and get rid of it for you. :D

If you insist on keeping it, Off Road Design is a great source of suspension & drivetrain parts. :thumb:
 
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