Rough country lift

[1983ChevyK30]

I am currently restoring a 1983 K30 and i wanted to get a lift kit. its going to have a 489 BBC. I was looking into a rough country lift because i dont have a whole lot of money. I was looking into the following kit, http://www.roughcountry.com/gm-suspension-lift-kit-249n2.html
and i was just wondering if anyone has had any experience with this brand of lift kit. it comes with 4 inch rear springs in rear and a 2 inch block total of 6 inch in rear and a 6 inch lift spring in front. also comes with wedges for pinion angle correction. and the springs are supposed to be rated for 8500 lbs in the rear. im assuming its going to ride rough but could i get some good shocks to compensate for that. Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks, JJ

 

[skysurfer]

Shocks won't help with stiff springs, it's gonna ride like an empty hay wagon and you'll hate it. My RC springs sucked from the day I installed them to the day they went in the dumpster. I replaced them with Tuff Country EZ Rides.

 

[Craig 85]

I had a Rancho soft ride kit back in 89 on a 87 truck. It was really harsh. I have a Tuff Country soft ride on my 79 K15. Huge ride difference and the cost was not bad. I'm going to go with a 4" Tuff Country HD spring on my K30 since it has a big block.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

I put a 6" rough country kit on my 87. It came with 4 inch blocks and a 2" add a leaf. I ditched the blocks for a super lift shackle flip for the 4". Rough country is the only place that I called that said their front springs could hold the weight of a big block. I was told after a few years it may sag a bit. Super lift straight up said no and BDS was to spent for my blood.

 

[1983ChevyK30]

not just the stiffness of the springs just the ride quality in general.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

Sorry man it's a straight axle K30 it isn't gonna ride like a Caddy. Your gonna get a stiff ride regardless.

 

[77 K20]

For a big block or if you have a winch bumper (adds a lot of weight) Tuff Country has their HD front springs.

I bought their 2" HD front springs for my truck even though I just had a 400 small block on it at the time. With less weight the springs provided more lift. And I think it rides fine- smoother than stock. I did remove the front sway bar and found that make it a lot nicer.

 

[Craig 85]

Which ever front spring you go with, I would recommend ORD's front sway bar correction/disconnect kit. It removes any bind with the sway bar and springs with the added benefit of being able to disconnect the sway bar to get more flex off road. I have it on my 79 and it works well.

http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/swaybarkit.htm

 

[1983ChevyK30]

oh and also the BBC will have aluminum heads, intake and possibly radiator.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

That will be a considerable weight loss. Now your getting close to a cast iron small block. Which means a rougher ride. The springs will work more with more weight.

 

[1983ChevyK30]

more than likely will keep the stock radiator

 

[CSFJ]

more than likely will keep the stock radiator

From the sound of the engine you're planning, an aftermarket radiator would be pretty worthwhile insurance. Weight gained or lost by a radiator will be negligible.

 

[kickdeez]

Go with the Tuff Country HDs. I have them under my suburban, along with a set of Bilstein 5100 shocks. With a big block, and a big bumper with a winch, the ride quality is about as good as one could ask for on a leaf sprung straight axle truck.