Remove Lift and Figure out what I have....

[frwgt350net]

Here's a 1980 k10 stock height for reference with 31" tires. Rides very nice.

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[80BrownK10]

I purchased what I believe to be a 1980 GMC 1/2 ton C Series pickup.

I'm not really sure this is what I got... Ok, you can stop laughing now..

I've found numerous different so called VIN identifiers online and have gotten a few different variances of what I bought.

my VIN is TCZ14A....

T: GMC
C: 106"
Z: 5.7L Diesel
1: 1/2 ton
4: 2wd Pickup
A: 1980

However, my truck is...

GMC 106" long, 454 Big Block gas, 1/2 ton, 4x4

My first goal is to truly figure out what I have

My second goal is to remove the 8" homemade lift kit that someone put on it..

My big questions if any one know (other than a good VIN decoder) if I remove this lift, what should I expect to have to do with the front and rear driveshafts?

I've been searching YouTube for some time and have not found anyone who talks about "removing" a lift...

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I have not read past the initial...but your vin tells you that you have a 2wd truck but have a 4wd? I guess you have a cab swap at some point?

 

[80BrownK10]

Sweet baby Jesus, that "lift" has to go!!! Like Ralph Nader would say, that's unsafe at any speed.

Looks like stock type springs above those chunks of square tube.

Yea and blocks on the front too!!!

 

[80BrownK10]

Wow. Lift blocks in the front. I have heard of people doing this but never seen it.
That’s a huge NoNo. Good thing you’re already smart enough to take it off.

I haven't either

 

[Inman789]

I will let the experts weigh in on the technical specifics, but I just went through this with removing a 3" lift (and a huge learning experience that was) and am still struggling with figuring out what I have (1973 K10 but probably a 77? front clip and drivetrain)...but anyway, for the lowering.

If you are going back stock like I did, then I would highly recommend Rock Auto. Get all four springs, all four stock shocks, all 8 spring U bolts, new spring shackles and bushing bolts. Plan on spending a lot of time with a sawz-all. Not bad, good honest grunt work made easier with a good impact wrench.

Good luck!