Rough country trash?

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Isaac nickerson

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I've heard a lot of trash talked about rough country, but when I first entered the truck world I though they were the best. My plan was to get the 6 inch rough country lift for my K10 with the 56 in rear springs. I'm planning on doing quite a bit of offroading in this truck and am wondering if it would be a bad or good idea to get that kit. If bad, any alternate suggestions? I would like to spend under a grand on the kit.
 

bucket

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They sell decent quality stuff for the money, but the springs do tend to ride fairly rough. Rougher than stock springs.
 

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^^This.

A lot of people talk crap on RC because of this. But me personally I don't mind a stiff ride, actually kind of prefer it, feels more stable on the road to me.

Sure there are definitely better kits you can buy, but for a whole lot more money. Considering how reasonably priced they are, it's a great bang for the buck. They're not trash at all, just not the best. I'm plenty happy with mine!
 

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Not only do we sell it at work but I have ran it on a few trucks. IMO they get a bad rap. Are they the best riding kit on the market....nope....but, I'd put them inline with older kits like Rancho and such. If I wouldn't hesitate to put one on my truck again. In fact we have a 2" on my sons 87 V10.
 

Frankenchevy

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ORD (Alcan) or Deaver are reputed as the best riding leaves you can get, but not for under a grand. I’m putting the ORD custom leaves and a couple other ride improving parts on from my 5/4ton leaves, so my hopes are high.
 

77 K20

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I had 4" Rough Country front lift springs on my old '78 K10. They did ride very rough, but I didn't have much money 20+ years ago and I was a lot younger...

I'm all about a smoother ride now and some articulation if you are going to do off roading.

I'd recommend the Tuff Country EZ ride front springs. $403 at ORD... might be able to find it cheaper elsewhere.

And with a lift that tall, get rid of the front sway bar for the best ride. The stock swaybar has too much of an angle on it with a lift like that and actually binds up for a rough ride. Or for extra $$ can get a sway bar disconnect. Can always be added later if for some reason you decide you need and miss the swaybar.

Tuff Country EZ ride springs $403
ORD longer greasable front HD shackles $111
Ubolts $45
Longer brake lines $?
Shocks $100-$200

That would give you a nice front suspension.

You said you wanted around a $1,000 kit... could do the front with nice components and then do the rear "cheaply" for now and then re-do it a few years from now. A 6" block is not ideal, but is really cheap for now.

Rear has options based on if you need to still haul some weight time to time (load carrying capacity) A shackle flip is nice...
 

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6 inch RC on my 88 suburban but I think it rides just fine. Front end has duals and it feels a bit stiff but I always know my tires are planted. And there's always been something about being able to look out over that square flat Hood on an old school Chevy with a stiff lift and have no lean in the corners. I don't know... Call me crazy.
 

jake wells

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rough riding ********!
If you want rough ride than ride in a Marmon - Herrington Chevy C60 conversion then you can tell me about it.
 

Isaac nickerson

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Thanks for all the advice guys. Based on that I think I'll go with the rough country 6 inch. I'm used to driving trucks with stiff suspension so I won't mind.
 

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I thought Ruff Country was what ya want..E-Z ride baby, yeah!
That’s Tough Country.
OP, if you want off road suspension, then understand you don’t want bricks for springs. Economical? Yes. Best for off road? No.
But they work. Front of our 86 must have RC springs because it feels like the back springs on a 1 ton.
 

Chevyguy

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That’s Tough Country.
OP, if you want off road suspension, then understand you don’t want bricks for springs. Economical? Yes. Best for off road? No.
But they work. Front of our 86 must have RC springs because it feels like the back springs on a 1 ton.
My 87 V20 is like that with the 4" Rancho springs in the front and blocks in the back. Quad shocks up front don't help the ride either. Back in 1990 when I installed it the ride didn't seem to be so harsh. I must be getting old [emoji846].

Clayton

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82sbshortbed

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Rough country, hence the name.
 

Big red square

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I had 4" Rough Country front lift springs on my old '78 K10. They did ride very rough, but I didn't have much money 20+ years ago and I was a lot younger...

I'm all about a smoother ride now and some articulation if you are going to do off roading.

I'd recommend the Tuff Country EZ ride front springs. $403 at ORD... might be able to find it cheaper elsewhere.

And with a lift that tall, get rid of the front sway bar for the best ride. The stock swaybar has too much of an angle on it with a lift like that and actually binds up for a rough ride. Or for extra $$ can get a sway bar disconnect. Can always be added later if for some reason you decide you need and miss the swaybar.

Tuff Country EZ ride springs $403
ORD longer greasable front HD shackles $111
Ubolts $45
Longer brake lines $?
Shocks $100-$200

That would give you a nice front suspension.

You said you wanted around a $1,000 kit... could do the front with nice components and then do the rear "cheaply" for now and then re-do it a few years from now. A 6" block is not ideal, but is really cheap for now.

Rear has options based on if you need to still haul some weight time to time (load carrying capacity) A shackle flip is nice...
I have the bolts out of the sway bar on the axle side it's ok to leave like that?
 

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