Steering Correction

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Brysonsproject

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Aug 17, 2023
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Location
Washington
First Name
Bryson
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
Chevy K20
Engine Size
350
I'm working towards installing a 4 inch lift on my 1978 K20 and just wondering which option to go with between a dropped pitman arm and a raised steering arm. (I've heard the raised drag links are junk). Also, I've heard that with a 4 inch lift I probably wouldn't to lengthen my driveshafts, but would it we smart to put in a 1 inch driveshaft spacer on both driveshafts just to be safe?

Thanks!
 

SquareRoot

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Arizona
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
I'm working towards installing a 4 inch lift on my 1978 K20 and just wondering which option to go with between a dropped pitman arm and a raised steering arm. (I've heard the raised drag links are junk). Also, I've heard that with a 4 inch lift I probably wouldn't to lengthen my driveshafts, but would it we smart to put in a 1 inch driveshaft spacer on both driveshafts just to be safe?

Thanks!
What's a driveshaft spacer?
 

Craig 85

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Nashville, TN
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Craig
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K30 SRW
Engine Size
454/TH-400/NP205
K20 I'd go with a steering arm, it will level out the drag link better than the pitman arm. I've done 3 truck that way. I never needed to add to the drive shafts on a 4" lift. I would rather lengthen a drive shaft than run a spacer. The spacer would make the U-joints bind sooner, especially in the front as you have created a steeper angle on the drive shaft.

These were 4" lifts on my old trucks. No modification to the drive shafts. On the one truck I did a 6" on, I did have to modify them.

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bucket

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Andy
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'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
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K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Craig is spot on. Go with the steering arm for a 4 inch lift and skip the spacer. The spacer "can" be beneficial with the longer trans/adapter/case combos used in the 80's, but may cause binding with a shorter combo like what was used in the 70's.
 

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