Rough country lift

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

1983ChevyK30

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Posts
12
Reaction score
1
Location
Pine island MN
First Name
JJ
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
K30
Engine Size
489
I am currently restoring a 1983 K30 and i wanted to get a lift kit. its going to have a 489 BBC. I was looking into a rough country lift because i dont have a whole lot of money. I was looking into the following kit, http://www.roughcountry.com/gm-suspension-lift-kit-249n2.html
and i was just wondering if anyone has had any experience with this brand of lift kit. it comes with 4 inch rear springs in rear and a 2 inch block total of 6 inch in rear and a 6 inch lift spring in front. also comes with wedges for pinion angle correction. and the springs are supposed to be rated for 8500 lbs in the rear. im assuming its going to ride rough but could i get some good shocks to compensate for that. Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks, JJ
 

skysurfer

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2010
Posts
2,643
Reaction score
1,995
Location
west coast
First Name
John
Truck Year
1989 Suburban
Truck Model
V2500
Engine Size
5.7/TH400/NP241C
Shocks won't help with stiff springs, it's gonna ride like an empty hay wagon and you'll hate it. My RC springs sucked from the day I installed them to the day they went in the dumpster. I replaced them with Tuff Country EZ Rides.
 

Craig 85

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2017
Posts
3,889
Reaction score
4,024
Location
Nashville, TN
First Name
Craig
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K30 SRW
Engine Size
454/TH-400/NP205
I had a Rancho soft ride kit back in 89 on a 87 truck. It was really harsh. I have a Tuff Country soft ride on my 79 K15. Huge ride difference and the cost was not bad. I'm going to go with a 4" Tuff Country HD spring on my K30 since it has a big block.
 

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,789
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
I put a 6" rough country kit on my 87. It came with 4 inch blocks and a 2" add a leaf. I ditched the blocks for a super lift shackle flip for the 4". Rough country is the only place that I called that said their front springs could hold the weight of a big block. I was told after a few years it may sag a bit. Super lift straight up said no and BDS was to spent for my blood.
 

1983ChevyK30

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Posts
12
Reaction score
1
Location
Pine island MN
First Name
JJ
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
K30
Engine Size
489
not just the stiffness of the springs just the ride quality in general.
 

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,789
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
Sorry man it's a straight axle K30 it isn't gonna ride like a Caddy. Your gonna get a stiff ride regardless.
 

77 K20

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2012
Posts
3,075
Reaction score
3,044
Location
Montana
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
K20 5" lift
Engine Size
HT383 fuel injected
For a big block or if you have a winch bumper (adds a lot of weight) Tuff Country has their HD front springs.

I bought their 2" HD front springs for my truck even though I just had a 400 small block on it at the time. With less weight the springs provided more lift. And I think it rides fine- smoother than stock. I did remove the front sway bar and found that make it a lot nicer.
 

Craig 85

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2017
Posts
3,889
Reaction score
4,024
Location
Nashville, TN
First Name
Craig
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K30 SRW
Engine Size
454/TH-400/NP205
Which ever front spring you go with, I would recommend ORD's front sway bar correction/disconnect kit. It removes any bind with the sway bar and springs with the added benefit of being able to disconnect the sway bar to get more flex off road. I have it on my 79 and it works well.

http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/swaybarkit.htm
 

1983ChevyK30

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Posts
12
Reaction score
1
Location
Pine island MN
First Name
JJ
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
K30
Engine Size
489
oh and also the BBC will have aluminum heads, intake and possibly radiator.
 

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,789
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
That will be a considerable weight loss. Now your getting close to a cast iron small block. Which means a rougher ride. The springs will work more with more weight.
 

CSFJ

-----------------
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Posts
6,160
Reaction score
5,162
Location
------
First Name
-------------
Truck Year
-------
Truck Model
-------
Engine Size
-------
more than likely will keep the stock radiator

From the sound of the engine you're planning, an aftermarket radiator would be pretty worthwhile insurance. Weight gained or lost by a radiator will be negligible.
 

kickdeez

Full Access Member
Joined
May 23, 2014
Posts
300
Reaction score
51
Location
north carolina
First Name
kyle
Truck Year
1990
Truck Model
Suburban 2500
Engine Size
454 tbi
Go with the Tuff Country HDs. I have them under my suburban, along with a set of Bilstein 5100 shocks. With a big block, and a big bumper with a winch, the ride quality is about as good as one could ask for on a leaf sprung straight axle truck.
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
41,848
Posts
903,425
Members
33,362
Latest member
Dhatch84
Top