whats the best lift kit?

[83 K20]

i currently have a 1983 k20 and I'm looking for a 4 inch lift so i can still fit my truck in my garage I'm building this truck on a budget because I'm in high school and don't have a lot of money i was looking at rough country but then i found zone offroad and i like them more because it looks like it has everything i need like the steering arm. any advice or suggestions helps

 

[Honky Kong jr]

The best lift kit is the one that fits in your budget and skill set and that will achieve what you want it to. Everyone has their preference some like Skyjacker some like Tuff Country and Rough Country and you will have people that complain about any or all. If you go by the 3 steps listed previously you will get the BEST lift kit for you.

 

[Craig 85]

I've had Rancho, Skyjacker and Tuff Country on various square body trucks. I thought the Tuff Country EZ Ride was the best. I'm going with that on my '85 too.

 

[theblindchicken]

I pieced mine together. Definitely not the cheapest option though. Love the ride of it though.

Front:
EZ Ride 4" springs
Drop Pitman arm
Rancho RS9000XL Shocks

Rear:
Stock 52" springs
ORD 4" Shackle Flip
ORD HD Shackles
Rancho RS9000XL Shocks

 

[Honky Kong jr]

Rough country 6" lift springs up front
Rough country 2" add a leaf on the rear with a Super lift shackle flip. The kit came with 4" blocks for the back but blocks and torque don't usually work out so well hence the shackle flip. People complain Rough country is harsh but I'm hoping with the extra weight of the iron headed big block and th400 it will soften it a bit if not it isn't a Caddy it's a truck. Oh and no sway bar sway bars at not conducive to good weight transfer.

 

[Crispy]

I have a tuff country ez ride that I bought for old 2500 Suburban because I heard good things about it. Its a 3" front spring 4" rear block lift with nitro shocks. I ended up never using it. If you're close to eastern PA I would let it go pretty cheap.

 

[smoothandlow84]

It's all a matter of opinion. There are a ton of options available which makes it hard to choose.

 

[hirschdalechevy]

I have had good luck with skyjacker but there is a ton of people that like tuff country. I have ran, (back in the day), rancho , trailmaster , rough country , pro comp and they were to stiff for my liking. If you put the kit on yourself make sure you follow the torque specs on everything as not to over tighten , (not good for suspension movement).

 

[shiftpro]

I have had good luck with skyjacker but there is a ton of people that like tuff country. I have ran, (back in the day), rancho , trailmaster , rough country , pro comp and they were to stiff for my liking. If you put the kit on yourself make sure you follow the torque specs on everything as not to over tighten , (not good for suspension movement).

^^This^^.
Tuff Country springs give the best ride. Most of the others are vastly over sprung and your truck will ride like a brick shat house.

 

[shiftpro]

A step up would be Deaver Spring
or
Offroad Design's custom job.
These spring have like, 10 very thin leafs.
I would imagine ORD would carry a lower price point than Deaver but I don't know for sure.
These are the kind of springs you need if you want to vastly improve the ride, off-road and on road.


I think many of the mall cruiser suspension companies make their lift springs over sprung on purpose.
After all, they are called "lift kits". The bulk of their customers just want to life and big rubber up their trucks
for cruisin the mall...no?
If those 4" (or lordy higher) over arched springs actually flexed the posers would be complaining to the company
about the bend fenders and cut tires like, everyday.

So my friend Billy it depends what you want your truck and big tires for. Do you want to make it difficult
for girls with dresses to climb aboard or do you want your girls to come equipped with fishing gear, hiking boots,
flashlight and a decent knife?

 

[shiftpro]

http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/ORDCustomSprings.htm

 

[motohead77]

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I have deaver long travel springs on mine had to move the shackles 2-3 inches back. It rides amazing like no other lifted solid axle truck I have been in. Hitting the expansion joints on the freeway by the bridges use to send me almost into the top of the cab now I can barely feel them. Also when I use to drive off the occasional curb (urban off-roading)it use to toss me to the side, now same thing it feels like nothing. Hands down the best money I ever invested in my truck was the suspension with walker Evans shocks and my truck has gears built motor trans transfercase etc. It's for sale

 

[Skweegle89]

Rough Country is exactly that.... rough, but its budget friendly. I put one of their 4" lifts on my k10 and i cant really complain for the cost. If you want a smooth ride, buy a car.

 

[shiftpro]

Rough Country is exactly that.... rough, but its budget friendly. I put one of their 4" lifts on my k10 and i cant really complain for the cost. If you want a smooth ride, buy a car.

Zach, you can do better than that. Terrible advice my friend.
It's not just about ride quality but safety and functionality.
And BTW, Tuff Country is in the same ballpark as Rough Country price wise.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

Zach, you can do better than that. Terrible advice my friend.
It's not just about ride quality but safety and functionality.
And BTW, Tuff Country is in the same ballpark as Rough Country price wise.

I got Rough Country and main reason is because the others wouldn't warranty or advise their front springs being used with a big block. I have their 6" kit just not using the rediculous 4" blocks went shackle flip in place of them. I als got the Energy Suspensions bushing kit the RC kit came with poly but of unknown origin so they weren't used.