Best budget lift

[everettfirstlove]

I’m curious about your suggestions for the best budget lift kit for a 1986 K10. I’m aiming for a 2-inch lift and want to get the most value for my money. I’m looking for the best ride quality for the price. I’ve heard that rough country lifts don’t hold up well. I thought about installing new front leafs and a block on the rear with new shocks and dual steering stabilizers. This is a daily driver, but I also want to keep it for as long as possible with minimal problems. Another question I have is whether I’ll need to replace the steering/pitman arm with a 2-inch lift. I appreciate any advice you can provide.

 

[bucket]

Rough County lifts hold up just fine, but they are exactly that- rough.

You are going to get all kind of opinions though about every aspect of it. Ride quality, shocks, steering correction, sway bar options and then the great lift block debate. Some folks think they are the greatest thing since sliced bread and some folks insist that blocks will make your axle hop right out from under your truck.

 

[waterpirate]

Rough country 2" spring lift driver here. 87 k10. I bought the kit including shocks and springs. I love driving it, but would never daily it. I keep spilling my road soda.
Eric

 

[Ricko1966]

Rough County lifts hold up just fine, but they are exactly that- rough.

You are going to get all kind of opinions though about every aspect of it. Ride quality, shocks, steering correction, sway bar options and then the great lift block debate. Some folks think they are the greatest thing since sliced bread and some folks insist that blocks will make your axle hop right out from under your truck.

If he has lift blocks he will definitely die in a firey crash.

 

[everettfirstlove]

I thought about getting this kit from skyjacker with the stabilizers. I also thought about getting pro comp front leafs and then get shocks and blocks for the back with stabilizers but I really would like to keep it on a budget.

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[everettfirstlove]

Does anybody have photos of a 2.5 inch lift on 33s. I really don’t want to have to put 35s on it but I also don’t want to have too much wheel well space. I like the way to 2 inch looks based off old photos but I also don't want to break the bank, I thought about getting pro comp front leafs for a 2inch lift (if anyone has the link) and then getting rear blocks and new shocks with dual stabilizers .

 

[legopnuematic]

This is a copy and paste from another thread of a post I made:

My buddies 75 is lifted with tuff country front springs, ORD shackle mounts/extended shackles and the rear is stock springs with an ORD shackle flip.

Rides very nice for a short wheelbase light 4x4. About 2.5-3” of lift. 33x12.5x15s on 15x10 U.S. Mags.

On the lift block subject, up front blocks are a no no. In the rear however they are fine (with proper installation). Every 1994-2002 Dodge Ram 4x4 truck has factory rear blocks.

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[Zelph]

Budget is subjective and will differ for each person.
What is your budget?
Do you already have wheels and tires?
Why dual stabilizer?

 

[everettfirstlove]

Budget is subjective and will differ for each person.
What is your budget?
Do you already have wheels and tires?
Why dual stabilizer?

1000$ max budget, but it would be nice to keep it around $800. I have 33s on the truck now and I like the size and want to lift it 2 or so inchs. I though of dual stabilizers just for the convenience and the better steering and driving feeling for a daily driver.

 

[Ricko1966]

How are dual stabilizers going to be a convenience or improve steering?

 

[everettfirstlove]

How are dual stabilizers going to be a convenience or improve steering?

kick back through the steering, reduces shimmy, keeps tracking straight and make the truck more stable.

 

[Ricko1966]

kick back through the steering, reduces shimmy, keeps tracking straight and make the truck more stable.

If you shimmy you have a bigger problem and are masking it ,caster is what keeps them tracking straight,and caster makes the truck stable on the road. If these trucks needed dual stabilizers,they would have come with them. Serious off road they may offer some advantage.

 

[everettfirstlove]

If you shimmy you have a bigger problem and are masking it ,caster is what keeps them tracking straight,and caster makes the truck stable on the road. If these trucks needed dual stabilizers,they would have come with them. Serious off road they may offer some advantage.

So for daily driving just upgrade the one stabilizer that truck comes with on the front axle?

 

[idahovette]

yep

 

[CalSgt]

Does anybody have photos of a 2.5 inch lift on 33s. I really don’t want to have to put 35s on it but I also don’t want to have too much wheel well space. I like the way to 2 inch looks based off old photos but I also don't want to break the bank, I thought about getting pro comp front leafs for a 2inch lift (if anyone has the link) and then getting rear blocks and new shocks with dual stabilizers .

Best budget lift IMHO would be a leaf and re-arched factory springs in the front, blocks in the rear and any budget shock that fits the bill. You shouldn't need a drop pitman arm at that amount of lift and dual stabilizers are just snake oil. You would be better served spending the dual stabilizer money on tie rod ends, ball joints and/or wheel bearings, if these items are worn they will impact your steering more than any amount of stabilizer will.

Search your area for a spring service shop, IIRC I paid $50 per leaf, $50 per spring for re-arching, and $10 per U-bolt for custom bent ones, that was a long time ago though...

Here's 3.5 in front 3" in rear on 33's:

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