K5 3” lift question

[K5Rob]

I want to lift my 87 K5 3”. Can I just go with a 3” tapered steel block front and rear? Obviously would need longer u bolts and shocks as well. Where can I get extended shocks?

I was looking at rough country 4” lift which comes with spring packs. My spring packs are good. I also read reviews and found some saying it lifts the front by 6”. It also doesnt include hardware. That is a lot of money for an incomplete kit that you further have to mess with to make correct. 4-6” is more lift than i am looking for anyway. Any thoughts?

 

[nvrenuf]

Blocks on the front at bad and against the law in most, if not all, states. The lateral forces from turning etc can cause the blocks to want to lean / fall over sideways.

There are a few companies that make 2"~3" lifts with front springs, this is the way to go. Generally, Rough Country will have the harshest ride because their spring rates are the highest. Tuff Country is a well-regarded brand for a good quality ride, their spring rates are noticeably lower.

 

[legopnuematic]

Blocks on front = no no.

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.

 

[Chevy 88]

The cheapest lift option is going to be blocks and longer U-bolts. For the shocks - your cheapest option is shock extenders.

For blocks in the front:

They make a "special" type of block designed for the front, but its a specialty product and I believe that its classified as a leaf - not a block, since its basically adding a mini leaf. Others would know more about this product, such as the name.

Here are the shock extenders:

(these work great, and are cheap on Amazon)

 

[K5Rob]

Blocks on the front at bad and against the law in most, if not all, states. The lateral forces from turning etc can cause the blocks to want to lean / fall over sideways.

There are a few companies that make 2"~3" lifts with front springs, this is the way to go. Generally, Rough Country will have the harshest ride because their spring rates are the highest. Tuff Country is a well-regarded brand for a good quality ride, their spring rates are noticeably lower.

Thanks guys. So who makes the 3” kit with front springs? Havent been able to find one.

 

[nvrenuf]

For blocks in the front:

They make a "special" type of block designed for the front, but its a specialty product and I believe that its classified as a leaf - not a block, since its basically adding a mini leaf. Others would know more about this product, such as the name.

You're talking about "Zero Rate" blocks which are only 1" tall and bolt to the spring pack.

Thanks guys. So who makes the 3” kit with front springs? Havent been able to find one.

Tuff Country offers 2" and 3" lift kits with either all 4 springs or only front springs.

Just an example link, double check your application > https://buytuffcountry.com/tuff-country-13710k-3-lift-kit-ez-ride-for-chevy-k5-blazer-1973-1987.html

 

[Chevy 88]

If you don't mind driving all the way across the country, I know of a used 4" K5 lift that you could get for super cheap. Couple hundred bucks at most.

 

[Zelph]

You really do not want to cheap out on the suspension. You’ll just end up paying more when you have to do it right for a second time.

The Rough Country 4” does sit approximately 2” higher than advertised and will create other problems.

Tuff Country does ride very decent for a K5, complete kit below.

And while a pain to change, do the rear upper shackle bushings in the frame while you have it apart.

Tuff Country 13711KN 3" Lift Kit EZ-Ride by (fits models w/52" Long Rear springs) with SX8000 Shocks 4x4 for Chevy Blazer 1973-1987

buytuffcountry.com

 

[legopnuematic]

100% the above, you get what you pay for when it comes to suspension, especially going beyond stock.

 

[K5Rob]

You really do not want to cheap out on the suspension. You’ll just end up paying more when you have to do it right for a second time.

The Rough Country 4” does sit approximately 2” higher than advertised and will create other problems.

Zelph do you mean sits higher than advertised in the front only?

 

[Zelph]

No, all the way around. It’s like they gave 6” springs the 4 “ part number. It’s the same way with K10’s that I have seen.
I don’t know why they cannot get it right. The stuff they make for jeeps is ok. I’m not saying that the rough country is junk as the parts appear well made, just not to correct specs for GMC Trucks of our vintage.

 

[bucket]

The cheapest lift option is going to be blocks and longer U-bolts. For the shocks - your cheapest option is shock extenders.

For blocks in the front:

They make a "special" type of block designed for the front, but its a specialty product and I believe that its classified as a leaf - not a block, since its basically adding a mini leaf. Others would know more about this product, such as the name.

Here are the shock extenders:

(these work great, and are cheap on Amazon)

Don't you have a thread asking why your K5 that was lifted by a hilljack rides like garbage? Cheap and unsafe is not the way to go.

 

[CalSgt]

Search for a spring service shop in your area, they should be able to re-arch your front leafs and add an extra leaf to get you to that height.

The spring shop that did mine also custom bent me all new U bolts and supplied the hardware for my newly reached springs and my lift blocks in the rear. The U bolts they made me were heavy duty and significantly higher quality than what was included with mail order kits back then.

I just purchased my lift blocks from a 4x4 shop like 4wheelparts or the like.

IIRC the cheapest mail order kits back then were like $700 +shipping, I did my custom lift for under $400 with shocks and all. That was over 20 years ago so things have probably changed a bit.

 

[K5Rob]

Search for a spring service shop in your area, they should be able to re-arch your front leafs and add an extra leaf to get you to that height.

The spring shop that did mine also custom bent me all new U bolts and supplied the hardware for my newly reached springs and my lift blocks in the rear. The U bolts they made me were heavy duty and significantly higher quality than what was included with mail order kits back then.

I just purchased my lift blocks from a 4x4 shop like 4wheelparts or the like.

IIRC the cheapest mail order kits back then were like $700 +shipping, I did my custom lift for under $400 with shocks and all. That was over 20 years ago so things have probably changed a bit.

Smart idea. I will call around. That tuff country lift looks nice too tho. 1 and done

 

[Rumbledawg]

You're talking about "Zero Rate" blocks which are only 1" tall and bolt to the spring pack.

no, not zero rates
some of us old timers that where building lifted trucks back in the '70's, '80's and '90's used to use what was called a traction lift. it was made by Trail Master.
was basiclly a block about 12-14" long and had bars that wrapped around the springs at the ends. they are safe to use on front axles, but people have shifted to other ways of lifting the front. very hard to find now-a-days, even online, but i have approx 15 000 Off Road, 4 Wheeler, 4x4, etc magazines from the 70's to the '90's, and i would bet at least a good third of them were running traction lifts

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach