Tire size or possible lift recommendations for the 79’ K30

[bucket]

Anyway of telling how many inches my lift is? I was told the blocks under my leaf springs in the back were factory. ‍ I measured them and they are 2”. Would it be safe to say my truck has a 2” lift? Factory or not. ‍

Yeah, I'd say 2" or 2.5" front springs. Definitely not factory. '77 and '78 K30's used blocks in the rear because they used the shorter C30 spring hangers. But starting in '79, K30's got taller spring hangers and no blocks.

If you are keeping the narrow wheels, I definitely recommend the 255's if you like the pizza cutter look. The 255/85 is a 33x9.5 or so, if memory serves.

This is a 3" lift, with 255/85 on the front:

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[shovelbill80]

I’ll look into these 35’s for sure I’ll pull some measurements when I get home! I had no idea my fenders were cut at some point.

Well... As I was preparing this post, I remembered I'm a friggin' dain bramaged senile citizen and lost track of the 'pizza-cutter' deal... So, disregard. I believe your rims are 6.5" wide.

However, someone else may find this helpful.

Almost every 1/2-ton I ever had, mostly K5s, I ran with 35x12.5 on stock ralleys with a proper 2.5ish" of lift. With the fenders trimmed as yours appear to be, they stuffed up fine for what I was doing. It's subtle, and most folks not intimately familiar with GM sheet metal won't typically notice.

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Here's a nice setup for a trail rig:

https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/how-will-my-square-body-look-with-xx-lift-and-xx-tires.2494/post-515200

 

[shovelbill80]

Oof, those U-bolts and bases look like gmt400 rot bucket specials. Before you do ANYTHING else, get U-bolts that go around the axle tube, pointing UP, and a proper top plate/saddle, whatever it is actually called. Look on gmt400 forum for what those spring/bolt plates cause, not fun… Maybe HWB can link to the pics…

Was looking at a round eye K10 earlier today. 2” lift, 33-12.5r15 on white wagon wheels. Fenders as issued… 292 swapped, SM465 4spd, NP205. Grail Truck other than being a fleetside swb instead of a stepside.

Rear Axle U-Bolts - U-Bolts - Axles

www.offroaddesign.com

Yeah, that truck sounds great... I dig stepsides, steelies, and dog dishes.

 

[bucket]

Oof, those U-bolts and bases look like gmt400 rot bucket specials. Before you do ANYTHING else, get U-bolts that go around the axle tube, pointing UP, and a proper top plate/saddle, whatever it is actually called. Look on gmt400 forum for what those spring/bolt plates cause, not fun… Maybe HWB can link to the pics…

Was looking at a round eye K10 earlier today. 2” lift, 33-12.5r15 on white wagon wheels. Fenders as issued… 292 swapped, SM465 4spd, NP205. Grail Truck other than being a fleetside swb instead of a stepside.

1-tons got the upside down u-bolts for clearance reasons (springs more inboard) and they tend not to rust nearly as bad as the GMT 400's. The ones in the picture are replacements and look fine. They also have the nice tall nuts. Although the unused areas could stand to be trimmed shorter.

 

[Strick]

Here is my 85 D30 with 3.5" Superlift and 37 12.50 16.5's and again with 36 13.50 16.5 IROk's on 8" wheels. There was a bit of tire scrub occasionally with the IROK's as you may probably see I changed the cab and fenders at that stage in the truck's life and the fenders were not cut.

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There is also a pick of my son's 91 V20 with 37 12.50 16.5 on 9.75 wheels with a 4" lift. Maybe this will help.

HS

 

[Steelbuddha]

My 60 year old opinion is it has a good stance now and adding a lift will be dollars, labor, and possibly driveshaft issues for little gain and potentially more difficulty climbing in. I'd vote to keep it as is.

My 67-year-old ass concurs. Lifts are all fun and games until you have to actually use the truck .

 

[chris3353]

I run 37s with a 2 inch spring. I have 38/13.50s on it also but not hard wheeling.

if allowed,, here it the link to the Mod

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=834044