8 inch Lift

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ajd89

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The 51" spring mod I mentioned used rear 51" leaf springs on the front. Gives huge travel and flex.
But you need one of these kits...
http://diy4x.com/product.php?productid=17715&cat=250&page=1

The stock front spring perch is removed and a little forward gets mounted the one from the kit I'm showing you. This bracket also serves
as front clip and rad support.

Then you need shocks about 3' long.
I thought the 51/52in swap flexed really good for the offroader but for a truck thats on the road they flex to much? Seems like a cheap way to get 4inch of lift in the front but if is gonna drive like horrible down the road I would get lifted springs.
 

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What size tires you wanting to run ?

You can fit 33s with no lift or a hockey puck body lift

You can easily fit 35s with a 4” lift
So for an 8” to not look goofy with lots of empty space in the fenders I assume you’re wanting 38s or 40s?

You gonna need to regear the axles to run anything over 35s
 

Craig 85

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Back in the early '90's my K5 had 6" Skyjackers springs front and rear (they were reasonably priced then). It had more flex than a 4" Rancho spring I had on a K20. Tires were 15/36R16.5 Fun Countrys. It had some bump steer even though I had the raised steering arm. I probably should have added a dropped pitman arm. Ride was pretty good for a leaf spring truck.
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shiftpro

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I thought the 51/52in swap flexed really good for the offroader but for a truck thats on the road they flex to much? Seems like a cheap way to get 4inch of lift in the front but if is gonna drive like horrible down the road I would get lifted springs.
This is correct Andrew. But really good shocks help. It's highway cornering like we have in BC that will ruin the day with 51s. With some ingenuity anti-sway bars can be installed... but not the factory model as there is no room with crossover steering. Have to use aftermarket circle track anti-sway bars.
Cheap way to lift 4"..or 6, not really. It's a challenge to find used rear leafs that are not beat to hell and back.
 

shiftpro

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Is that a Canadian term? I’m Unfamiliar with that term.
It is now. I made it up. I envision your side exhaust fumigating snowflakes at the lights.... and that my friend, makes me smile.

Watching vids of guys rolling coal on protesters cheers me up every time.
 

shiftpro

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Back in the early '90's my K5 had 6" Skyjackers springs front and rear (they were reasonably priced then). It had more flex than a 4" Rancho spring I had on a K20. Tires were 15/36R16.5 Fun Countrys. It had some bump steer even though I had the raised steering arm. I probably should have added a dropped pitman arm. Ride was pretty good for a leaf spring truck.
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I remember those days...
Seemed to me many of those springs sacked out after a few years.
10" rims contribute to bump steer.
But the big problem was off roading, if the front end got twisted, like going through a ditch or driving over a pile of bear **** you could turn the truck to the right. When the drivers wheel was lower than passenger side, it wouldn't turn.
 

mavtricks71

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Cross over steering makes an amazing difference. The trucks should come stock like that. But fitting one in has room for bad language and you have to keep an eye on your passenger steering arm fasteners. Need to lose the anti-swaybar which really doesn't make a big difference anyway...with good shocks. It's not quite a bolt-on kit like say for example, installing a light bar. The steering box has to be changed to a 2x unit. The jpb is right up there with switching diffs, you know, laying on cement, big wrenches, flame wrenches, jacks and hoist and jack stands. Prybar, swear words, beer all that.
BFHammers..
Yea I'm gonna pass on all that work...my truck strictly for cruising around the city ill just stay with Drop pitman arm lol
 

shiftpro

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Yea I'm gonna pass on all that work...my truck strictly for cruising around the city ill just stay with Drop pitman arm lol
Good thinking sir.
I also really highly recommend you stick with a lower more reasonable lift. The higher you go the more cans of worms get opened. Squarebodies are cool no matter how high or low they are.
 

mavtricks71

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Good thinking sir.
I also really highly recommend you stick with a lower more reasonable lift. The higher you go the more cans of worms get opened. Squarebodies are cool no matter how high or low they are.
Yea they are.....all this damn work and I only have 40% lungs ...anybody got a pair of those? lol :angels2:
 

mavtricks71

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Ok so I bought 8 inch springs for the front of my truck, I'm buying everything separately to lift it. Now the 8 inch springs are a direct install correct? No changing shackles ect?
 

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