K10 front leveling

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.

440sixpack

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2019
Posts
69
Reaction score
88
Location
Prineville, Oregon
First Name
dean
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
k10
Engine Size
350
My K10 has new stock springs but I'd like to get the front up an inch or so.

The only I've seen are an add-a-leaf which will probably be around 2' and effect the ride.

What about making new shackles about 1 1/2" longer ? that should raise it 3/4" and add a little caster that wouldn't hurt anything. and what about getting longer U bolts and tie bolts and putting a 1" spacer under the spring ? one idea better than the other or are they both bad ?
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
I just wonder if one of those off set inch forward (or back) blocks might be enough. I don't think they're quite an inch of lift. Lift blocks in front is never good, but these plates offer just a little lift.
 

shiftpro

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Posts
4,855
Reaction score
6,092
Location
BC Canada
First Name
shiftpro
Truck Year
73-87
Truck Model
1500, 2500, 3500
Engine Size
350, 383, 454, 496!
I just wonder if one of those off set inch forward (or back) blocks might be enough. I don't think they're quite an inch of lift. Lift blocks in front is never good, but these plates offer just a little lift.

1". Available for ORD or diy4x4. Zero rate or Add an Inch..
 

shiftpro

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Posts
4,855
Reaction score
6,092
Location
BC Canada
First Name
shiftpro
Truck Year
73-87
Truck Model
1500, 2500, 3500
Engine Size
350, 383, 454, 496!
My K10 has new stock springs but I'd like to get the front up an inch or so.

The only I've seen are an add-a-leaf which will probably be around 2' and effect the ride.

What about making new shackles about 1 1/2" longer ? that should raise it 3/4" and add a little caster that wouldn't hurt anything. and what about getting longer U bolts and tie bolts and putting a 1" spacer under the spring ? one idea better than the other or are they both bad ?


No that's way too long. 1/2 longer and that's all... and it won't raise your front end really.
These trucks do benefit from increased camber and trail, but only what you achieve with
that extra 1/2". Mid '80s one ton trucks had this mod.
Since you're spring are new I would go with HotRod's suggestion, the 1" blocks that fit under the spring pack. You have to pull the pin from the leaf pack to install it. It becomes part of the pack, not just a block sitting underneath.

https://www.offroaddesign.com/suspe...eafs-offset-plates/zero-rate-add-a-leafs.html

https://diy4x.com/product.php?productid=17722&cat=0&bestseller=Y
 
Last edited:

440sixpack

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2019
Posts
69
Reaction score
88
Location
Prineville, Oregon
First Name
dean
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
k10
Engine Size
350
That looks simple enough. so would you add a caster shim while you're at it then or just install as is ?
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
1". Available for ORD or diy4x4. Zero rate or Add an Inch..
Forgot about the Zero Rate option. That's likely what I'd do if it were me.
 

440sixpack

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2019
Posts
69
Reaction score
88
Location
Prineville, Oregon
First Name
dean
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
k10
Engine Size
350
It does look like a no brainer after seeing them. nothing I couldn't fab myself but for $50 I'm not going to.

So I'll need longer bolts they have those too. I guess just do I need caster shims and if so how much ? it would just be a guess of course but an average amount if anyone knows.
 

shiftpro

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Posts
4,855
Reaction score
6,092
Location
BC Canada
First Name
shiftpro
Truck Year
73-87
Truck Model
1500, 2500, 3500
Engine Size
350, 383, 454, 496!
It does look like a no brainer after seeing them. nothing I couldn't fab myself but for $50 I'm not going to.

So I'll need longer bolts they have those too. I guess just do I need caster shims and if so how much ? it would just be a guess of course but an average amount if anyone knows.
They have grease jerk bolts as well. AND the 1/2 longer shackles. No shims needed with shackles or Zero rate.

Don't be afraid to ask ORD for their take. They are very helpful and with years of square suspension experience.
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
They have grease jerk bolts as well. AND the 1/2 longer shackles. No shims needed with shackles or Zero rate.

Don't be afraid to ask ORD for their take. They are very helpful and with years of square suspension experience.

True, guys at ORD are always happy to make suggestions and give opinions. Of course most of that does entail their product too. Hi dollar but always good quality and usually you're paying more for the engineering of the part and for the support than you are the actaul part. They do know their ****.
 

Blue Ox

Turning Diesel Fuel Into Fun
Joined
Mar 27, 2018
Posts
5,202
Reaction score
11,964
Location
LI-NY
First Name
Derek
Truck Year
MCMLXXXV
Truck Model
K20HD
Engine Size
6.2L
Another option, but more work is to take them to a spring shop and have them bend an extra inch into them.
 

Jawzjeep

Honk if parts fall off
Joined
Jun 5, 2021
Posts
476
Reaction score
942
Location
Washington
First Name
Joshua
Truck Year
1991
Truck Model
Suburban
Engine Size
350
Go with the zero rate as stated and slide that front axle a hair forward too at the same time. It'll give better tire to firewall clearance at the same time.
 

Camar068

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2014
Posts
4,291
Reaction score
3,335
Location
Kentucky
First Name
David
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10/LM7 5.3/4L60e/np208/3.73/32"
Engine Size
10 yrs Air Force
I put Gabriel load carriers coil overs on the front and love them. Looks like they aren't available any longer for the front according to their site. Sucks for me.

Anyway, it raised the front about an inch or two. I'm going to have to go look at the shocks and hopefully they stamped the part # on it because I painted them black when I painted the frame. I'll be ordering a spare set if they still make them.

my post about them back in 2016:

https://www.gmsquarebody.com/thread...r-shocks-86-k10-stock-lift.16657/#post-320276
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,083
Posts
949,039
Members
36,162
Latest member
jbahena95
Top