2wd lift kit

[fowjacob]

I came across these old pics of mine. here's the difference HD 1 ton coils up front and 1.5 lift blocks made for my truck

Before:

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After

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Those wheels look so good on a square for some reason

 

[SlickGTP]

I lifted my 78 C20 2".

I found out what springs I had on the front and upgraded them. in my case I had 3/4 ton LD springs so upgraded to 1-ton HD springs. then had to put a 1.5" block in the rear leafs.

The way chevy truck COIL springs work is like this:
LD= light duty
HD=heavy duty

1/2 ton LD springs are just that... light duty
1/2 ton HD springs are the SAME as 3/4 ton LD spring
3/4 HD springs are the same as 1-ton LD springs
Then there are 1-ton HD springs.

AFAIK that are all the same height springs, just stiffer. I upgraded my 78 c20's 3/4 ton LD COIL springs to 1-ton HD springs and netted about a 2" lift in the front. then i put 1.5" blocks in the back.

What's the policy on here about linking to thread I may have created or not on other sites? I have a build thread somewhere, but don't want to piss someone off right after joining.

What were the part #s for the 1 Ton HD springs? I was looking at Rock Auto and they list the same part # for the 1/2 Ton w/454 Springs as the 1 ton's... For all I know, I'd get a little lift just getting new springs as the ones on there are 39 years old...

 

[AntiBling]

my '79 C20 was lifted with a set of (no longer made) Fabtech front springs (my buddy had them still in the box new sitting on a shelf for years). I used a set of spacers for the upper ball joints that i got from airbagit.com (I HATE THESE GUYS! and i will never order from them again). but anyways, i added some replacement Rancho 5000 front shocks. but, these springs over power the shocks in rebound easily so I'm trying to figure out a shock that will control the rebound as the spring rate is a bit much. adding weight did make it ride better as i added a dual battery set up to the front and i think that the weight of a new heavy duty bumper and winch would also help. if you are running a big block i think it would ride just fine. but i have a small block.

next i plan on adapting a set of front lift spindles from a newer body style chevy as i hear that they will fit the ball joints of my 3/4 ton suspension. this should give me another 4 inches of lift over the almost 3 inches that the springs gave me. the rear will be getting some new 6 inch rear springs/shocks. my goal of running military hummer tires on modified military hummer wheels. but they are 37x12.50/16.5's so a body lift may be in my future.

here is my truck with 33x12.50/20 tire on 20x9 wheel. the front has the Fabtech springs and spaced ball joints. the rear is factory stock including the shocks. also i added a picture of the truck sitting on stock wheels/tires.

 

[89Suburban]

Wow, not bad. No steering issues? Or ride issues? 7" of lift, damn, like a pre-runner setup.

 

[AntiBling]

I'm in the desert so i guess it looks a prerunner type set up. I use this truck to haul my quad out to the dunes and desert. it rides a little firm but not bad at all. the rebound is a bit of a problem (because of the high spring rate) if you hit a dip at speed it will launch you a little bit. no steering problems at all. i took it in for an alignment after the install and everything adjusted just fine with just a couple shims in the upper arm cross bars and a toe adjustment. i really want to run a larger diameter tire to combat the washboard dirt roads i drive on and military hummer tires are dirt cheep ($100 each @ 100dollorman.com) just getting them to fit is going to be the challenge with out going to a straight axle set up. that why I'm going with the lift spindles. i haven't touched the rear suspension yet. that is why it sits the way it does (prerunner style) because this is a budget build i am thinking of doing a shackle flip in the rear and a 2 inch block.

 

[truckinhenry]

springs

Kenny, did the more HD spring make the front end drive rougher and harder on bumps? Was there any difference in the ride? Just asking because i want to do this to my 85 c20 2wd too.

 

[GreaseDog]

I have been looking into this also. So far i have found no actual kit, but you can piece it together.

The rear is easy, blocks, springs or a shackle flip.

The front is a little harder.

A couple options:

Coil spacer, not preferable but easy. a 1 inch spacer yeilds about a 3 inch lift.
$50-60

lift coil springs from www.aribagit.com a 2 or 3 inch spring, dont know how good they are but might work. Cost about $140 plus shipping

With these two options you need to use an upper ball joint spacer to help correct the steep angle. can be found at airbagit.com.

airbagit.com also has lift control arms, but i have not heard anything as to the quality.

Fabtech use to have a lift coil and lift control arms but they are discontinued.

Now if you wanted to get a little more lift or lift without the springs you could use a 4.5 inch lift spindle for a chevy c2500. You also need the same year brakes, ball joints and tie rod ends.

Airbagit = chassis tech = garbage.

 

[fowjacob]

Airbagit = chassis tech = garbage.

what would you recommend

 

[GreaseDog]

what would you recommend

Anything else.

 

[85GmcLongTravel]

i have 7inch mid travel arms with a 3inch coil

 

[akchevrolet]

Can I do the same thing to my 87 R10 LWB ( just get bigger coil springs from say a 3/4 ton) if I did that would I have to change anything else.

 

[Eriko311]

Nice looking truck

Nice truck
Do you know the coil springs part number
I have a 1986 c10 2wd
Ready to be lifted

I came across these old pics of mine. here's the difference HD 1 ton coils up front and 1.5 lift blocks made for my truck

Before:

You must be registered for see images attach

After

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Rusty Nail]

Lmao!

This is a great thread. The result is fantastic and there is good tech info, link the part numbers, source, and cost?
It looks cool dude. Not bad AT ALL. Congratulations.

 

[Craig 85]

In the mid 90's I had a 2WD C20 3+3 with a 454. I used Airlift air bags in the front coils and was able to run 33x12.50x16.5" tires with 9.75" wide rims with minor trimming on the fenders. In the rear, I ran a 2" block. From what I recall ride was good, but that could be due to the fact it was a crew cab. Summit has the bags for $104.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/air-81560