Hey everyone thought id throw this out there early because i might be buying a lift kit come tax time or sooner if i get this job i want. i have been skimming over the FAQ's and google has helped alot but i wanted to ask myself and see if i can get some first hand opinions.
EDIT: it wouldnt let me add pics without cropping them to heck so here is a FB link to pics instead, anyone can view them as they are public :https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10209230691497140.1073741846.1016864859&type=1&l=540b7201f9
I now have 2 suburbans
Cliffy ( Red/black 1988 V10 chassis/body, 1987 5.7L TBI with non-pcm friendly cam, 1986 built TH350 matched to a 1986 NP208, sporting some 1984 4.10 3/4 axles/springs/shocks (GM 10bolt front and 14FF in rear) on 32" 10 ply tires, and auto hubs till spring) = 7MPG towing, 9MPG empty
Shelly (Blue/silver 1988 V20, 6.2L J code, california version, 123XXX miles (i think) 4.10 gears, TH400, NP208, same axles as cliffy) on 265/75R16's on some directional aluminum wheels = 16-22mpg hwy 9mpg in town due to bad vacuum pump so no 3rd gear in town
Cliffy has 19" front bumper and 25" rear bumper to ground with 3 leaf fronts, and a 5.5" block in the rear to compensate for saggy springs
Shelly has 21" approx unloaded from bottom of bumper to ground all stock, 2 front springs and rear springs are starting to show thier age
Now I am going to try and attach pictures of the two, and if it doesnt work i will do it again tomorrow with daylight so you can see what im working with
Ok so first 2 pics are the trucks as they sit, yes i know my lights are all banged around, i was on a 4 wheeler trail and didnt know it, and i knocked down several small trees on my way out, lucky i didnt lose another window that day.
Next 2 pics are of the 42" ag tires (18.4x16.1) i intend to put on cliffy
the 2 Vtread i intend to throw on the back and the diamond tread on the front, might change my mind and reverse that, but im only paying $200 for all 4 with rims they ar eJD 8 lug right now but i can get 8lug chevy inserts from these guys for $65 each and weld them in wherever i see fit so my backspacing is optimal. (
https://www.redbarncustoms.net/ROCKWELL_RIMS.html )
I already know my 10bolt front is NOT going to last very long with that kind of meat and weight (hence diamond tread in front) so i will be watching for a dana 60 that can bolt right in once i break the 10bolt. or a spare 10bolt just to get it home XD xD
You can see from the pics that the 42's (around 38-40" when aired up to around 10-15PSI, its been a long time since i worked at the tire shop) they would darn near fit right now, but i wouldnt be able to turn.
I am thinking a 4" lift, springs in the front, and replace the rear springs with new sets ( i have a guy i can get them delivered to his shop around $160 including shipping per side brand new) and either keep the 5.5" block or use what comes in the kit, i think an add-aleaf and a 4" block.
I cut a board at 42" and also measured from the center of the rim up about 3/4 of the tire since thats roughly what would be inside the wheel well. and 4" should do it from my measurements. I could always do a zero-rate i1" in the front if i needed a little more wiggle room.
ALL 4 fenders will be trimmed out as far as i can safely manage without touching the inside fenders.
I figure i probably wont be able to make a super sharp turn but i should be able to use 1/2-3/4 of my turning radius before the tires hit.
Correct me if im wrong here but im at 32.1" exactly when loaded (235/85R16) and going up to 38-42" = 6"-10" taller tires (depending on PSI and load), which only 1/2 of that is above the axle so 3"-5" of lift should net me close to the same clearances i have now with 32"s once i trim the fenders....
I might need spacers AND a deep offest, i think the tires are 17" wide to make sure i dont rub the inner fenders.
My biggest concern is, if i will be ok with 4" or 5" over stock 3/4t height with out the cross over steering kit, most people dont seem to need it until they go 6"+ from what i have read
I can get a decent 4" lift kit for under $400 if i wait for the promos, and around $300 for a set of NEW spring, or i might put the new springs on shelly and let the off road rig get the used ones... not sure, cliffy is 52" 3/4 ton and shelly is 56" 3/4 ton. might just move the bracket this spring.
I just want all my info before i start, i want cliffy ready for the mud bogs next spring, and trucks gone wild as soon as i have the work done.
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