73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 4 Wheel Drives => Topic started by: enaberif on April 30, 2015, 07:05:45 AM
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So I recently picked up a set of 4" front springs for the truck and will be putting together the other pieces as time permits. I have a couple of questions for the meant time though and perhaps can help others.
1) Will the stock shocks work for a 4" lift even I am not going to flex or drive the truck off road?
2) I want to put extended brake lines on and everyone says a 2wd set will work. What years of 2wd will work?
3) What are a good set of inexpensive but decent shocks for a lift? I'll probably most likely order from Rock Auto or Summit.
Keep in mind my truck is a 74 with a dana44 on the front.
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Factory shocks won't work.
You will need a steering arm or your truck will be all over the road.
I have never heard of the 2WD brake line thing. I always made a drop bracket for my stockers that routed the line out of the frame to under the frame. This is good for 6" lifts anyway. Even got away with it on an 8" before.
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Check amazon for extended shocks and brake lines. Rough country sells them pretty cheap.
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1) No, current front shocks don't have the travel.
2) I have 2wd front brake hoses on my '73 GMC K2500 with a 4" lift...
When I bought the truck in the late 90's, it had braided stainless front hoses that were too short and I found the 2wd hoses to be the right length and fit properly (no line relocation necessary).
I looked for the receipt for the hoses I bought, but couldn't find it. So, based off memory the 2wd hoses were for a C-20 but cannot recall the year; I want to say it was for a 1985 C-20, but not sure. You might compare the stock hose ends for your truck to front hoses from a 70's and 80's 2wd trucks.
The raised steering arm should be considered required.
3) Rancho and other companies make shocks for a 4-inch lift. Monroe and Gabriel make regular grade shocks that can be alternatives to the "4-inch lift shock", you would have to modify front shock bushings and remove bushings in the rear shock - that is the route I took when I had to replace shocks a few years ago.
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I've gotten most of what I need now but one of the biggest issues with these trucks is that in 1978? They switched from a 7/16" banjo fitting to a 10mm banjo fitting on the caliper. Now this means one could swap the calipers but that is going to be more money.
What I have discovered is NAPA part # 38622 and 38623 which are left/right brake hoses which are 26" in length but its a 10mm banjo nut. People have drilled this out successfully to 7/16" without any issues and that is what I think I will be doing.
I will be calling my Napa stores tomorrow to see if anyone has them in stock and if so I'll pick up one side and see how it works out and report back.
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You posted while I was editing.
So, what about a 1975 C-series hose?
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You posted while I was editing.
So, what about a 1975 C-series hose?
c series hoses are around 23" long which is only about 3" more. I don't feel only 3 extra inches is enough so I will go with the 26" lines.
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c series hoses are around 23" long which is only about 3" more. I don't feel only 3 extra inches is enough so I will go with the 26" lines.
Throwing this out there,
I measure the C-series hoses used on mine at 25 1/2" (from frame to banjo fitting) and they did not require enlarging for the banjo fitting. I'll try to find the part numbers (at least in case I have to replace the current hoses).
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c series hoses are around 23" long which is only about 3" more. I don't feel only 3 extra inches is enough so I will go with the 26" lines.
Throwing this out there,
I measure the C-series hoses used on mine at 25 1/2" (from frame to banjo fitting) and they did not require enlarging for the banjo fitting. I'll try to find the part numbers (at least in case I have to replace the current hoses).
Looking at Napa everything in the C series from 1975 uses the same brake hose.. 23" in length.. http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Brake-Hose-Left-Front/_/R-UBK36760_0282886306
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Old brake lines:
(http://i.imgur.com/AgTDzNf.jpg)
New brake lines from 2wd C10 of the same era.. Slightly longer and bolt right on.
(http://i.imgur.com/8MHkD65.jpg)
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Looks like you're making upward progress...
Just curious, what brand & part number and what was the overall length on those?
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Part # 36760 from Napa. Measures around 24.5" from end to end.
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I want to update this by stating that I have previously used Napa part # 381272 (22.50" length) but I find I'm having troubles bleeding the rear brakes because of too many curves in the line. I tried to do gravity bleeding but no matter what trying to get any fluid properly to the rear cylinders was always problematic.
When it thaws in the spring I will be possibly switching to Napa part # 38624 which measures only 17.35" of a difference of just over 5" or modifying the bracket to make it less of an angle to create less curves in the brake lines.
(http://i.imgur.com/mKJEqRQl.jpg)