Coil spring lift spacer questions

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mlsceo

mlsceo

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2 or 3" isn't a radical lift. LMC has a 3" body lift kit for $160. Amazon has front/rear shocks for 2/3" lift for $200. I've never done a lift. Gentlemen, what else does this entail?
 
Truck82

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mlsceo said:
2 or 3" isn't a radical lift. LMC has a 3" body lift kit for $160. Amazon has front/rear shocks for 2/3" lift for $200. I've never done a lift. Gentlemen, what else does this entail?
Click to expand...
I would like to respectfully say that I Hate body lifts :33:
 
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I decided to do a little experimenting tonight. I got the jack out and placed it under the front support. Then came the tape measure and I lifted it up 2 inches. Am I thinking right or will the coil spacers work differently? With 2 inches of lift there is no major (visible) alignment issue. I’m sure there’s a little but not that bad that a shop can’t straighten things out. Maybe I’m wrong, just trying things out.
Sorry the picture aren’t the best.
 

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Truck82 said:
I decided to do a little experimenting tonight. I got the jack out and placed it under the front support. Then came the tape measure and I lifted it up 2 inches. Am I thinking right or will the coil spacers work differently? With 2 inches of lift there is no major (visible) alignment issue. I’m sure there’s a little but not that bad that a shop can’t straighten things out. Maybe I’m wrong, just trying things out.
Sorry the picture aren’t the best.
Click to expand...
My opinion 2 inches you'll be fine.A 2inch steel spacer under the spring,set the camber and toe. Let er rip. You can set camber and toe easy with common tools caster is a little trickier.
 
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Ricko1966 said:
My opinion 2 inches you'll be fine.A 2inch steel spacer under the spring,set the camber and toe. Let er rip. You can set camber and toe easy with common tools caster is a little trickier.
Click to expand...
2 inches is it then. Thanks for all the help! Hopefully it turns out. Maybe I’ll do a thread on the build.
 
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Truck82 said:
2 inches is it then. Thanks for all the help! Hopefully it turns out. Maybe I’ll do a thread on the build.
Click to expand...
Check with mcbay or one of the manufacturers. It may be that you use 1 inch spacers for 2 inch lift. You could measure the difference of spring length at stock height raise the truck by the frame to the height you want and measure the spring length again,the difference between the 2 lengths is the amount of spacer you'll need
 
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Truck82

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Ricko1966 said:
Check with mcbay or one of the manufacturers. It may be that you use 1 inch spacers for 2 inch lift. You could measure the difference of spring length at stock height raise the truck by the frame to the height you want and measure the spring length again,the difference between the 2 lengths is the amount of spacer you'll need
Click to expand...
Thanks I really appreciate the help!
 
Logbed

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I'm in the process of adding the thinnest McBay spacers for 1" lift. The problem is stock c10 front springs that are prettu long and lean against lower A-arms. Just bought internal spring compressers to shorten the spring so much that the spacer does not slip away as I raise the lower A-arm.

BTW my front springs are firmly stuck from the upper end in the cups, should they come loose when lower ball joint is not connected and the A-arm is down?
 
mlsceo

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I used a couple of wraps of duct tape to keep the spacer in place on the spring during installation. Use a pry bar to pull the spring out of the upper perch.
 
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I got it back together. The McBay thinnest spacers that were supposed to lift 1" actually lifted 1.5" on one side and some more on the other.
I did some hopping on the front bumper and heard some banging as the springs settled to their places. Now the driver side rides 3/8" higher than the other side. How is it going to be, are the springs going to move more in bigger speed bumps before finding their place (and the final ride height)? Asking this as I cant test drive until spring, it is garage season here for the next couple of months.
 
mlsceo

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You may not have set one of the springs properly in its' pocket. Not uncommon for these old trucks to vary a bit in ride height from one side to the other. Did you take measurements before installing the spacers? Mine was off a touch, I checked the body mounts and sure enough the driver's side were compressed and shorter than the passenger side. Used new poly mounts to level it out. I'm within 1/4" now, calling that good.
 
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mlsceo said:
You may not have set one of the springs properly in its' pocket. Not uncommon for these old trucks to vary a bit in ride height from one side to the other. Did you take measurements before installing the spacers? Mine was off a touch, I checked the body mounts and sure enough the driver's side were compressed and shorter than the passenger side. Used new poly mounts to level it out. I'm within 1/4" now, calling that good.
Click to expand...
I actually had the driver side spirng wrong, the lower end of the coil was not in the pocket of the A-arm. I had the ball joint already in place but using an internal spring compressor I was able to squeeze the spring enough that i cound hit the end of the coil (and spacer) with a hammer and a large screwdriver and I saw it to drop to its place with a loud klang. Should be right now.

Is there anything in the upper end that might not settle perfectly right away?

I'm not too worried about it right now as it might cure itself with some miles and speedbumps but having spent some time with it, I'm curious. I might use the spring compressor again and hit the loosened spring with a plank and a sledghammer if it is worth it? Wouldn't like to dismantle the swaybar, brakes & lower ball joint and do it all over again before driving it a little though.
 
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Truck82

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Logbed said:
I actually had the driver side spirng wrong, the lower end of the coil was not in the pocket of the A-arm. I had the ball joint already in place but using an internal spring compressor I was able to squeeze the spring enough that i cound hit the end of the coil (and spacer) with a hammer and a large screwdriver and I saw it to drop to its place with a loud klang. Should be right now.

Is there anything in the upper end that might not settle perfectly right away?

I'm not too worried about it right now as it might cure itself with some miles and speedbumps but having spent some time with it, I'm curious. I might use the spring compressor again and hit the loosened spring with a plank and a sledghammer if it is worth it? Wouldn't like to dismantle the swaybar, brakes & lower ball joint and do it all over again before driving it a little though.
Click to expand...
Pictures? :popcorn:
 
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