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Which size lift?

Which size lift?

  • Go for 4 inch lift!

    Votes: 33 64.7%

  • go for 6 inch lift!

    Votes: 12 23.5%

  • Go bigger!

    Votes: 1 2.0%

  • Go naked every inch counts!

    Votes: 5 9.8%
  • Total voters
    51
  • Poll closed .
hammermachine

hammermachine

1/2 ton status
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Location
The East Coast Texas
I'm planning out a new project. A stock 1989 K5. I would like to install a lift but I'm not sure what size or brand. I'm planning on reusing my 35" tires from my other blazer. On this site's tech page it says I could use a 4 inch lift with a little trimming. Everywhere else says I need a 6 inch lift to fit 35" tires. So what doe everybody else thinks?
 
It depends on what you are going to do with it, and how you feel about trimming. 6 if you dont want to trim and are not worried about a higher center of grav. 4 if you dont mind cutting.
 
work

I don't mind triming the K5, the higher center of gravity does concern me. This truck will be a DD and weekend off road vehicle. I have to put my family in it.
 
i'm running a 6" bds all spring lift with stock wheels and 35" bfg mt's. when i flexed and turned the wheels the tire would hit the rear fender. i trimmed it back flush with inner fender and welded on inside. no more problems.
 
I run a 4 cuz I got a good deal on it and I didn't trim. I'm running 35s also but I don't do slot of rocks so I don't need to trim. I voted sick just to be safe and this way you could run 37s or somethin down the road.
 
4 inch and trim.

4 inch can sustain up to 37 inch tires if you are willing to trim.it would be a good deal of trimming.but if the sheetmetal is prestine and you want to keep it intact,id go 6 inch.the ride quality is pretty stiff though.if you go easyride springs it will help with that.
 
In my days that I ran 35's and drove it on the street I had both the 4 inch and then the 6 inch......ended up going back down to a 4 inch for more stability.
If money is a concern I'd go 4 inch. The 6 inch lift maxed out my front driveline to the point that it would separate at full droop. You could lengthen it but the cv and yokes could possibly bind.
 
My current setup is 6 inch TC ezrides fron and 2 inch TC ezrides in the back with the diy4x shackle flip and a 1 inch zero rate. I have 37x12.50R15 tires. I am going to trim but haven't done so yet. i can flex a little with no rub in the front. Just dont turn the wheels. My 37s will stuff in the back with out a problem so i don't need to trim the rear just the front. mine is pretty smooth for a big truck also took the sway bar off and it seems pretty solid. I also need to get the front drive shaft lengthened

In this pic the front was about to rub but not quite. there was a lot more room to flex it out. i can't wait till i trim the fenders and get the shaft lengthened to see what she can actually do.
n7020377_39345567_5597.jpg
 
Another thing to keep in mind, is what width rims and back spacing you plan to run. I've seen 35x12.50s on stock 15x8s do just fine on a 4" lift, no rubbing at all. Then he put them on 15x10s, and they rubbed at full flex. We had to trim the rear corner of front fender flush with the inner fender, and we knocked a little of the front corner just for a little extra room. Now, no more troubles.
 
AUK5 said:
My current setup is 6 inch TC ezrides fron and 2 inch TC ezrides in the back with the diy4x shackle flip and a 1 inch zero rate. I have 37x12.50R15 tires. I am going to trim but haven't done so yet. i can flex a little with no rub in the front. Just dont turn the wheels. My 37s will stuff in the back with out a problem so i don't need to trim the rear just the front. mine is pretty smooth for a big truck also took the sway bar off and it seems pretty solid. I also need to get the front drive shaft lengthened

In this pic the front was about to rub but not quite. there was a lot more room to flex it out. i can't wait till i trim the fenders and get the shaft lengthened to see what she can actually do.
n7020377_39345567_5597.jpg
Click to expand...

Very clean truck. I like the blacked out look
 
4" lift sounds like the best option for you. I'd go with Tuff Country EZ ride springs in the front. If you have a big front bumper or a winch get the HD springs.

For the rear, it depends on the quality of your current springs. If they look good then I would suggest a 4" shackle flip kit. You can get one from DIY4x, Offroad Design, or SKY manufacturing. I like DIY's the best.

If the springs look to be in bad shape or are sagging then I would go with 4" lift springs (Tuff Country).

Don't forget you are going to need new shocks, u-bolts, some sort of steering correction (dropped pitman arm, bent draglink, or raised steering arm) and you will need to address the brake lines ( new longer lines or instal drop brackets)

Good luck
 
Advice

Thanks for the advice guys, did I mention I live in NJ where lift laws are a fact of life. I will probably will never be able to go much higher than 35's without a lot of state hassle.
 
Lift

NJ has special inspections that they make you go through at certain DMV locations if your vehicle has been modified over a certain height. A lot of these rigs on this site would have to go to these "special inspections" in order to be legal in NJ. I've never had a truck high enough but I hear they are real ball busters.
 
Very clean truck. I like the blacked out look
Click to expand...

Thank you i want to paint the mirrors but are holding off. I also want to get new bumpers from DPI but i just bought an engagement ring so thats out of the question for a bit. i love my truck just need to trim the fenders for a full function Rig. That was the look i was going for.
 
AUK5 said:
Thank you i want to paint the mirrors but are holding off. I also want to get new bumpers from DPI but i just bought an engagement ring so thats out of the question for a bit. i love my truck just need to trim the fenders for a full function Rig. That was the look i was going for.
Click to expand...

Yea I know exactly what you mean. I'm saving up for a ring so it's really slowin my truck build down haha. It's worth it though
 
yeah i think so. ill be doing pretty good and my Fiance is understanding of my obsession with working on my truck. Also she supports my want to buy a 74 and restore it as a daily driver. that some time down the road. good luck with yours and make it special something they'll never forget.
 
Depending on what you usin the truck for, you can always go with fiberglass flared fenders and keep the lift low. I drive in sand dunes so I don't have to worry about fiberglass breaking on rocks. McNeil racing makes a conversion for an 06 front end.

I also like the look o your truck AUK5, I even blacked out my front end.
 
I'm runn 3" TC fronts, 4" rears and 37's with just a little trim. Stuffed and turning they rubbed just a little on the inner wheel well at the firewall. I have since added a 1" body lift for clocking my t case and the tires no longer rub.

No body lift and you can see where they rubbed.
Rausch%20Creek%20Wheelin%20July%2014_%202007%20007.jpg


Rausch%20Creek%20Wheelin%20July%2014_%202007%20096.jpg
 
wayne said:
I'm runn 3" TC fronts, 4" rears and 37's with just a little trim. Stuffed and turning they rubbed just a little on the inner wheel well at the firewall. I have since added a 1" body lift for clocking my t case and the tires no longer rub.

No body lift and you can see where they rubbed.
Rausch%20Creek%20Wheelin%20July%2014_%202007%20007.jpg


Rausch%20Creek%20Wheelin%20July%2014_%202007%20096.jpg
Click to expand...


How well do the 4" rears ride and flex?
 
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