How do I lift my 2WD ‘87 R10?

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sjmillien

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I’m new to this forum. I’m looking for information on how to lift my 2WD ‘87 R10. I am thinking that a four-wheel-drive lift kit would work on the rear end and I can just replace the front springs with some made for a 3/4 ton or 1 ton. I wanted to see if anyone has ever done this or if it would even work. I’m not looking to do anything crazy, just lift the rear about 2 to 3 inches and level out the front to match. Thanks.
 

eskimomann209

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Blocks in the rear and the HD spring up front would give about an inch and a rougher ride.
 

RaisedK5

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68post

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I’m new to this forum. I’m looking for information on how to lift my 2WD ‘87 R10. I am thinking that a four-wheel-drive lift kit would work on the rear end and I can just replace the front springs with some made for a 3/4 ton or 1 ton. I wanted to see if anyone has ever done this or if it would even work. I’m not looking to do anything crazy, just lift the rear about 2 to 3 inches and level out the front to match. Thanks.
That's a look called a "Prerunner", lots of info online somewhere because I looked it up too many yrs ago to now remember
 

sjmillien

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1987
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5.7L 350
Prerunner is an almost Baja type lift and that isn’t what I’m going for. I did find the information I needed though.
 

akchevrolet

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Have you started or you still getting eveyrthing together?
 

Goldie Driver

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The 75 GMC 1/2 ton we had cam from the PO with heavy duty - maybe 3/4 ton - coil springs up front. I remember the upper control arms being shimmed to all get out - now I think I know why.

A GM control arm front end has a shorter upper control arm - when the back of the truck is lowered, and the front is at full extension, the top of the tires cants inward.

Well, in effect, the longer coil springs were doing the same thing, so they got shimmed like mad.

Just something to keep in mind.
 

R10C10

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Prerunner is an almost Baja type lift and that isn’t what I’m going for. I did find the information I needed though.
When I lifted my sons 84 there were no options for companies making lift kits for 2wd c10s. Back in the day fabtech made a kit but it’s been discontinued for years with no NOS laying around that I could find. I did the conversion to OBS lift spindles to achieve the lift. Now we did set ours up as a pre runner look.. however all you would have to do is add a lift block in the back, or rear lift spring, or ORD shackle flip to the back to level the truck after lifting the front. My son has been daily driving his lifted 84 c10 now for a bit. It rides incredibly smooth and tracks great and is sitting on 35 12.5 17 tires. You can check out the build with the parts list needed here :


Now, like I said no company made a lift when I started this build… since then I have found this company:


They claim 3” lift with new springs and new upper control arm.. looks cool but I can’t or don’t speak for them.. they also say in the add that it heavily limits travel.. so I wouldn’t expect it to ride that great.

You can also find 1.5 and 3 inch coil spacers on eBay. I used them initially but didn’t like them and pulled them out. They limited travel too much as well.

All in all.. I’m very happy with the OBS conversion lift we did.
 

akchevrolet

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Yea im watchin
When I lifted my sons 84 there were no options for companies making lift kits for 2wd c10s. Back in the day fabtech made a kit but it’s been discontinued for years with no NOS laying around that I could find. I did the conversion to OBS lift spindles to achieve the lift. Now we did set ours up as a pre runner look.. however all you would have to do is add a lift block in the back, or rear lift spring, or ORD shackle flip to the back to level the truck after lifting the front. My son has been daily driving his lifted 84 c10 now for a bit. It rides incredibly smooth and tracks great and is sitting on 35 12.5 17 tires. You can check out the build with the parts list needed here :


Now, like I said no company made a lift when I started this build… since then I have found this company:


They claim 3” lift with new springs and new upper control arm.. looks cool but I can’t or don’t speak for them.. they also say in the add that it heavily limits travel.. so I wouldn’t expect it to ride that great.

You can also find 1.5 and 3 inch coil spacers on eBay. I used them initially but didn’t like them and pulled them out. They limited travel too much as well.

All in all.. I’m very happy with the OBS conversion lift we did.
Yea im watching your sons build nice looking truck definitely a nice build. hope to get mine there some day PO dented passenger side. gonna lift it just a little bit hate leaning over to fill tank.
 

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