How Will My Square Body Look With XX Lift and XX Tires?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Frankenchevy

Proverbs 16:18
Joined
Jan 3, 2018
Posts
6,084
Reaction score
7,759
Location
USA
First Name
Jeremy
Truck Year
Square
Truck Model
CUCV
Engine Size
Small
This thread is great, really helps visualize what a lift and tires will do to a truck.

I'm thinking I would like about 3-4 inches of suspension lift, and run 33's on my 78. What is the point where you have to start doing major driveline and steering changes? At 4" can you just do springs, shocks and a dropped steering arm, or are there other things you should change? My truck will spend most of it's time on the street, but I will do some off roading.
I might be wrong, but I think 4" is right about where you should start addressing the steering.

my truck has 33s, don't think its lifted though...doesn't rub and clears well everywhere.
 

tdub209

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2015
Posts
84
Reaction score
27
Location
Tracy, CA
First Name
TJ
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
k20
Engine Size
350
Stock Suspension with 265/75r16 Hercules M/T and 16x8 Helo Wheels

You must be registered for see images attach


Stock suspension still with a 305/70r16 Pro Comp A/T and 16x10 Weld Super Singles
(rubbed passenger inner fender a little)

You must be registered for see images attach


And the lift starts..
6” Front spring
Ruff stuff Specialties 2” longer front shackle
Add a leaf for the rear and a 4” block
16.5x12 Weld Commandos on 33x12.50r16.5 BFG M/T

You must be registered for see images attach


Lifted on 18x10 MB wheels and 35x14.50r18 Super Swamper Irocs

You must be registered for see images attach


16.5x10 Weld Scorpios on 37x12.50r16.5 Military MTs

You must be registered for see images attach


16.5x14 Bart wheels on 35x14.50r16.5 TSL’s

You must be registered for see images attach


16.5x14 Bart wheels on 39.5x18.00r16.5 Boggers

You must be registered for see images attach


And currently on stock GM wheels waiting for the 37x12.50r17s and Method wheels to me mounted for it. but motor and dash need to be finished first lol.

You must be registered for see images attach
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,446
Reaction score
28,348
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Stock Suspension with 265/75r16 Hercules M/T and 16x8 Helo Wheels

You must be registered for see images attach


Stock suspension still with a 305/70r16 Pro Comp A/T and 16x10 Weld Super Singles
(rubbed passenger inner fender a little)

You must be registered for see images attach


And the lift starts..
6” Front spring
Ruff stuff Specialties 2” longer front shackle
Add a leaf for the rear and a 4” block
16.5x12 Weld Commandos on 33x12.50r16.5 BFG M/T

You must be registered for see images attach


Lifted on 18x10 MB wheels and 35x14.50r18 Super Swamper Irocs

You must be registered for see images attach


16.5x10 Weld Scorpios on 37x12.50r16.5 Military MTs

You must be registered for see images attach


16.5x14 Bart wheels on 35x14.50r16.5 TSL’s

You must be registered for see images attach


16.5x14 Bart wheels on 39.5x18.00r16.5 Boggers

You must be registered for see images attach


And currently on stock GM wheels waiting for the 37x12.50r17s and Method wheels to me mounted for it. but motor and dash need to be finished first lol.

You must be registered for see images attach

Those first couple pics look like stock spring packs, but they look to have been re-arched. Or about a 3 inch lift.
 

tdub209

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2015
Posts
84
Reaction score
27
Location
Tracy, CA
First Name
TJ
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
k20
Engine Size
350
Those first couple pics look like stock spring packs, but they look to have been re-arched. Or about a 3 inch lift.
first tow pictures were completely bone stock. i still have the springs and they are flatter than a pancake


1badk20
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,446
Reaction score
28,348
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
first tow pictures were completely bone stock. i still have the springs and they are flatter than a pancake


1badk20

I understand that. Flat springs makes for about a 2.5-3 inch lift. Your second picture shows the flat arch very well, as well as a stock type spring eye. But the stock springs were negative arch. That's why the evidence points towards stock springs that had been re-arched for a mild lift. You appeared to have more tire clearance than a stock truck would, which is why I got to looking close at the pics to begin with.
 

77 K20

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2012
Posts
3,101
Reaction score
3,119
Location
Montana
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
K20 5" lift
Engine Size
HT383 fuel injected
I'm agreeing with bucket. Something was done to your stock suspension. Here is what mine looked like with stock suspension and 265/75R16 tires:

You must be registered for see images attach


And here is is later with a 3" lift and the same tires:

You must be registered for see images attach
 

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
15,948
Reaction score
25,343
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
Heres my 94 with 3" blocks in the rear and turned up torsions in the front, granted its on 33's... i have a picture of normal 265/16s with the same lift somewhere, i cant seem to find it but 3" makes a huge diff over saggy stock leaves.
 

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
15,948
Reaction score
25,343
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
Opps im sorry i forgot to put in the pic b4 i hit post. :Stupid Me:

You must be registered for see images attach
 

Iowan

Loud and Proud American!
Joined
Oct 12, 2016
Posts
762
Reaction score
214
Location
Iowa
First Name
Calvin
Truck Year
1999
Truck Model
K1500
Engine Size
350 crate
So you'd say when 4" lift is added things have to change? What was the size of those wider wheels they sometimes put on Squares? like @Dieseldave01's. Thanks!
 

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
15,948
Reaction score
25,343
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
So you'd say when 4" lift is added things have to change? What was the size of those wider wheels they sometimes put on Squares? like @Dieseldave01's. Thanks!
His profile pic i believe they are factory. If i remember there like 8" or 9" wide steels, look about 16". Ive seen it in a thread here b4 somewhere.
 

Iowan

Loud and Proud American!
Joined
Oct 12, 2016
Posts
762
Reaction score
214
Location
Iowa
First Name
Calvin
Truck Year
1999
Truck Model
K1500
Engine Size
350 crate
His profile pic i believe they are factory. If i remember there like 8" or 9" wide steels, look about 16". Ive seen it in a thread here b4 somewhere.
Yeah, I think honkey knows, but what doesn't he know....:emotions34:
 

Dieseldave01

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Posts
65
Reaction score
72
Location
oxford Ohio
First Name
Dave
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
350
His profile pic i believe they are factory. If i remember there like 8" or 9" wide steels, look about 16". Ive seen it in a thread here b4 somewhere.
You must be registered for see images attach


I was told by previous owner these where a rare factory option, I believe they are 8.75 wide and 16.5 diameter



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Iowan

Loud and Proud American!
Joined
Oct 12, 2016
Posts
762
Reaction score
214
Location
Iowa
First Name
Calvin
Truck Year
1999
Truck Model
K1500
Engine Size
350 crate
You must be registered for see images attach


I was told by previous owner these where a rare factory option, I believe they are 8.75 wide and 16.5 diameter



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I thinks you have onw of the BEST looking trucks on the forum!!!!!!!
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,446
Reaction score
28,348
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
I agree, it's a damn fine looking truck!

The factory wide steelies were 16.5x8.25 and 16.5x9.75 although I'm not sure the widest ones were ever available on squares, maybe just the '72 and older trucks.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,168
Posts
950,807
Members
36,286
Latest member
goodwrenchca
Top