Help me decipher what lift I have...

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.

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
9,558
Reaction score
17,536
Location
The Right side of Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
Here is another side pic. I'll go measure the front as well. I haven't done that yet.
Looks like a healthy 4” spring in front. But why do those tires look bigger than 265s.
This is 5” front lift and 35 12.50s but I think the springs been packing around the big block since my son who’s truck it is was 3 years old.(He’s 19 now).
You must be registered for see images attach
 

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
9,558
Reaction score
17,536
Location
The Right side of Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
4” ripped the fender trim off almost immediately but the wheels are 9” wide 3.5 backspacing so they are outies not innies. (Didn’t use offset @bucket the Karen…lol)
You can see it crinkled in the pic.
 

KShorthairs

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 8, 2025
Posts
8
Reaction score
5
Location
Lawrence, KS
First Name
Dave
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
454
That is a sweet ride. And the 20s(?) with the dog dishes are cool.

I'm with you on my tires. I've looked and measured a few times, but they say 265/75-16. And they're bald. And I have other trucks with wider wheels. For some reason I love the tall skinnies on my squares. I think they're wide enough...
 

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
9,558
Reaction score
17,536
Location
The Right side of Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
That is a sweet ride. And the 20s(?) with the dog dishes are cool.

I'm with you on my tires. I've looked and measured a few times, but they say 265/75-16. And they're bald. And I have other trucks with wider wheels. For some reason I love the tall skinnies on my squares. I think they're wide enough...
Thank you. Ya giving you a tire size/lift/offset reference.
If you went 35s with 0 offset they would clear ok with a 4” lift. Not for serious wheeling of course. ORD also makes a 1” (block but not sketchy like a block) zero rate they call it. With it you can offset the axle forward which helps tremendously with clearance. But you have to move the sway bar, adjust steering and almost certainly a longer driveshaft. Mine with 5” total with the zero rate in OE axle location, not moved forward is at absolute max extension on the front ds. I wouldn’t even trust it 4 wheeling but it’s got enough spline engagement for tossing it in 4wd if it snows or something. As long as you’re staying on the road and not jumping RxR crossings or something
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
35,422
Reaction score
44,726
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Thank you. Ya giving you a tire size/lift/offset reference.
If you went 35s with 0 offset they would clear ok with a 4” lift. Not for serious wheeling of course. ORD also makes a 1” (block but not sketchy like a block) zero rate they call it. With it you can offset the axle forward which helps tremendously with clearance. But you have to move the sway bar, adjust steering and almost certainly a longer driveshaft. Mine with 5” total with the zero rate in OE axle location, not moved forward is at absolute max extension on the front ds. I wouldn’t even trust it 4 wheeling but it’s got enough spline engagement for tossing it in 4wd if it snows or something. As long as you’re staying on the road and not jumping RxR crossings or something

I hope you know I'm not trying to start anything and that I do actually get a kick out of it when you tease me about offset, but your post right there is a perfect example of why backspacing is a more useful measurement than offset. "If you went 35's with 0 offset, they would clear ok with a 4" lift". That depends entirely on the width of the wheel chosen.

I'd assume you are referring to your size of wheel... but that's only an assumption that one can make.

Anyway, sorry to bring it up again lol.
 

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
9,558
Reaction score
17,536
Location
The Right side of Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
I hope you know I'm not trying to start anything and that I do actually get a kick out of it when you tease me about offset, but your post right there is a perfect example of why backspacing is a more useful measurement than offset. "If you went 35's with 0 offset, they would clear ok with a 4" lift". That depends entirely on the width of the wheel chosen.

I'd assume you are referring to your size of wheel... but that's only an assumption that one can make.

Anyway, sorry to bring it up again lol.
Ya totally I’m just giving you a hard time. Because you’re right.
My wheels with 3.5 backspacing would run the same as 13” wide rims with 0 offset.
 

idahovette

Full Access Member
Firefighter
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Posts
9,745
Reaction score
23,056
Location
Weiser Idaho
First Name
Perry
Truck Year
1975-1979
Truck Model
K20-K10
Engine Size
350
I think he @Grit dog gotcha Andy @bucket ......lol....and I see you lost the "Karen"......yours and the other guy :banana-mario:
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
48,664
Posts
1,074,115
Members
43,330
Latest member
73jacobs
Top