Best lift for all purpose use

[snappchevy]

Hey y’all I just bought my first squarebody. It’s a 1977 Chevy K20 350 4 speed. I plan on lifting it, I was wondering what lift kit would be best for riding and some off-road usage.

 

[nabeshin]

I am no expert, but probably a 2" lift at the most to retain road manners. Higher than that and you could run into wobbles and swaying like a ship at sea on the highway.


My stock springs are sagging so bad there is only 1" of travel instead of the usual 5-6"
So restoring the stock springs is going to be my "lift kit." Perhaps you should look at how much travel you have to the bump stops.

 

[bucket]

For an all-around, do-anything type truck... 4" lift and no other thoughts needed.

 

[shiftpro]

But not all lift springs are created equal.
Check with ORD.
Tuff Country or custom ORD springs will flex enough for off road use and give a great ride on road. Other manufactures springs are way over sprung, don't flex enough and can actually be dangerous on the road.
If you want weight capacity to haul you're better off with air bags rather than excessive spring weight capacity.
Welcome to the site!

 

[snappchevy]

I was thinking on a rough country 4 in lift with a 56 rear spring

 

[77 K20]

Tuff country EZ front springs then 56" rear springs with a shackle flip would ride nice and still allow you to use the truck to carry some weight.

check out the website that shiftpro mentioned- ORD. Off road design has a ton of stuff for these trucks. Also with bigger tires it will put more stress on the frame where the steering box is. They make braces for that.

https://www.offroaddesign.com/

 

[snappchevy]

I’ll check it out

 

[snappchevy]

Another question, should I go 4 inches all the way around? Or 2 inch up front then 4 inch in the back, just seems like it will be more level that way

 

[77 K20]

If you are going to use your stock rear springs more than likely they have sagged a bit over the last 40 years.

Daton makes some pretty good springs and can order then thru Rock Auto. They give a discount for forum members. Roughly $160 each for your stock 52" or around $200 each for some 56" from a C20.

Then if you use a block or shackle flip it will be more "accurate".

Otherwise you would be looking at something like a 5" block in the rear. Might start having axle wrap issues when you get too tall of a block with old weaker springs.

 

[snappchevy]

Alright thanks! Definitely will look into it

 

[chappy78]

I’m very happy with my 2” Tuff Country lift, ORD shackles, and Bilstein 5125 shocks. Plenty of flex off on fire roads and USFS trails and rides nice on the highway, too.

 

[Bennyt]

Front: 1" ORD Block(I consider this block essential as it keeps the spring pack from rocking on the axle), ORD shackles, 2.5" springs for 33's, 4" for 35's
Rear: ORD Flip Kit, 2.5" Springs

For springs, I like Deavers as they ride the best but are expensive. You can use a kit from ORD or DIY4x and run a longer front spring for better ride as well.

 

[rich weyand]

I put Tough Country EZ-Ride springs and shocks. I did a 2' front/3" rear combo, and got it right from the factory. They set it all up for me and gave me a deal. They have occasional deals going.

Rode better than stock, was fine on the road, never worried about getting hung up.

The extra inch in the back is because the squarebodies always look like they're draggin' ass to me, even new. I think it's because the wheel cutouts aren't the same depth front and rear.

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