What lift do I have? How do I lift it more?

[Edelbrock]

So its a 77 K5 Blazer.
No idea what lift it has on it, but I would like to find out.
Looks like about 4" blocks in the rear.
Rear sits a little lower than the front.
37" tires that rubbed a little before I fixed the issue with a sledge hammer.
Still rubs on tight turns on uneven ground.

So how do i figure out what lift I have, if there are no labels or markings on anything?
I want to lift it up as much as possible, but Im not sure what that would entail.
Shackle flip thingys?
New springs, longer brake hoses, longer breather tunes, and a new steering linkage thingy?

 

[nvrenuf]

Stock height measures 8.5" between the bottom of the frame and the top of the front axle tube, any difference is the amount of lift.

As for more lift, on the front you'll have to replace the springs with some that have more arch. The rear can be lifted with higher arch springs or a shackle flip or bigger block or a combination of those parts. Typically, 4" is about as big of a block as you want to use to retain stability plus the blocks exaggerate axle wrap (which gets worse the bigger the block is).

In addition to longer brake hoses, lift steering linkage, etc you will also need longer driveshafts.

All that said, you stated "I want to lift it up as much as possible". When you go to around 8" or more of lift it will get very expensive. Not only will the driveshafts need to be longer, the operating angles become difficult to work with and may require very expensive parts (at 12" lift a double cardan type shaft may be necessary and can get close to $1k for one driveshaft).

Steering also gets complicated and high arch springs are typically very stiff so expect it to ride like the suspension is solid.

I'm not saying don't do it but definitely educate yourself before you start purchasing anything. Spend some time looking through the thread below and find the look you want then research what it took to get there.

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

We've got this on another site I surf and it's a great tool for folks trying to get ideas or see how a combo will look. It helps to cut down on the repetitive "how will 4" lift & 33's look" posts. _________________________________________________ Keep it simple, post a pic w/ simple lift and...

www.gmsquarebody.com

 

[TotalyHucked]

No offense, but if you're using "thingy" describing very important life or death parts like steering, you need to do alot of research and get educated on how to properly do things or take it to a shop that knows what they're doing and let them do it. John hit the nail on the head ^

 

[Edelbrock]

Stock height measures 8.5" between the bottom of the frame and the top of the front axle tube, any difference is the amount of lift.

So it looks like I have a measurement of 12" with the rig parked nose up hill on a fairly steep driveway. So I would guess its a 4 inch lift with some sag, due to the wear and tear.

So using the rough estimate of a current 4" lift, what all can I get out of a lift without it getting overly complicated or expensive?

 

[ma3600vz]

1977 CHEVROLET K5 BLAZER Superlift Suspension K424 Superlift Suspension Lift Kits | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Superlift Suspension Lift Kits with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Suspension Leveling & Lift Kits at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[Edelbrock]

1977 CHEVROLET K5 BLAZER Superlift Suspension K424 Superlift Suspension Lift Kits | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Superlift Suspension Lift Kits with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Suspension Leveling & Lift Kits at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

Thanks for the link. but $1,709.99 for an extra 4" seems kinda spendy. Don't get me wrong, $1,709.99 for an extra 4 inches might be a good deal in some cases, just not for a truck.

 

[nvrenuf]

So using the rough estimate of a current 4" lift, what all can I get out of a lift without it getting overly complicated or expensive?

Let’s start over….

Budget?
What tire size do you want?
Are you willing to trim the wheel openings?
Do you want it low on the tires or tall over the tires?

You can add a body lift (spacers between the body and frame), they come in 1”, 2” or 3”. 3” used to be pretty common but most people frown on that size now because it creates a huge gap between the body and frame/bumpers.

 

[ma3600vz]

here is a 6 inch for 900 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rou-20530/make/chevrolet/model/k5-blazer/year/1977 I could be wrong but you may need a body lift as well to clear your tires with only a 6 inch suspension lift no if you had 35s you would be just fine might be able to get a way with 36s but 37s are going to rub

 

[Edelbrock]

Let’s start over….

Budget?
What tire size do you want?
Are you willing to trim the wheel openings?
Do you want it low on the tires or tall over the tires?

You can add a body lift (spacers between the body and frame), they come in 1”, 2” or 3”. 3” used to be pretty common but most people frown on that size now because it creates a huge gap between the body and frame/bumpers.

Budget - $1,000 give or take.
Tires - the bigger the better. Currently running 37's. 42's would be nice.
Trimming has already been done, might be able to do more.
Tall over the tires.
Body lift? Might be OK, if its not too hard to install and if I can raise the bumpers.

 

[Edelbrock]

here is a 6 inch for 900 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rou-20530/make/chevrolet/model/k5-blazer/year/1977 I could be wrong but you may need a body lift as well to clear your tires with only a 6 inch suspension lift no if you had 35s you would be just fine might be able to get a way with 36s but 37s are going to rub

Pretty sure I have a 4" currently, and Im running 37's. On a flat surface, no rub. But on uneven surface, it rubs even with trimming. That link would be good if I was stock, but that kit would only provide 2 more inches for $900.

 

[ma3600vz]

https://www.offroaddesign.com/catal...azer-and-jimmy-1-body-lift-kits/category/401/ or https://www.suspension.com/pa503?srsltid=AfmBOorY4_QxmWTiSzvByadVc1xPf-A24ydg6McDuF9-apejx9TPbQum

 

[Edelbrock]

https://www.offroaddesign.com/catal...azer-and-jimmy-1-body-lift-kits/category/401/ or https://www.suspension.com/pa503?srsltid=AfmBOorY4_QxmWTiSzvByadVc1xPf-A24ydg6McDuF9-apejx9TPbQum

The price is right. How hard is the install?

 

[ma3600vz]

never did a body lift on a blazer/jimmy only done on 2 different pickups a 94 extended cab long bed chevy and a 81 ford regular cab short bed sorry I can not answer your question

 

[nvrenuf]

Tall over 42’s would take 12” lift.

8” with 38’s or 39’s would work with trimming. Wheel width and offset can limit what fits, more width requires more room to turn.

Body lifts;

Not difficult to install - basically loosen all the body bolts on one side, lift the body, insert the pucks, lower the body and insert or start the bolts (as necessary). Rinse and repeat on the other side. Tighten the bolts after all the pucks and bolts are installed.

You can lift the body with a floor jack and a couple of blocks of wood. Place a one block vertical on the jack to act as an extension (if needed) and use a second block horizontally under the floor to spread the load.

You’ll likely need to notch the bottom of the fan shroud (radiator goes up with the body, motor doesn’t move).

The steering shaft between the column and box has an overlapping slip joint with plastic plugs that will need to be removed so it can slide apart just a tad.

On the bigger body lifts the fuel filler hose might be short.

The body bolts in the rear floor pan could be tack welded and will require a grinder to cut them loose.

 

[Edelbrock]

Body lifts;

Not difficult to install

How long do you figure a 3" body lift would take to install for an experienced fabricator / mechanic that has never done a body lift before?