73-87chevytrucks.com

73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => The Highs (Raising/Lifts) => Topic started by: MarkS on July 14, 2010, 07:10:35 pm

Title: Anyone lifted a 2wd to stock 4wd height?
Post by: MarkS on July 14, 2010, 07:10:35 pm
I have a bone stock 2wd and don't need 4wd but like the ride height and look of the 4wd's. I prefer suspension lifts versus body lifts but maybe? General concerns doing this mod?
Title: Re: Anyone lifted a 2wd to stock 4wd height?
Post by: velojym on July 14, 2010, 07:55:16 pm
Just looking at mine, it seems like leveling the truck will have pretty much that effect. Some folks have used 1 ton springs up front, and there are purpose-built lift springs, too, IIRC.
Title: Re: Anyone lifted a 2wd to stock 4wd height?
Post by: zieg85 on July 14, 2010, 07:58:28 pm
Going with big block springs up front will not equal stock 4x4 height but will safely lift it and still a reasonable alignment can be done.  I wouldn't body lift one, I think it wouldn't look right.  My $.02
Title: Re: Anyone lifted a 2wd to stock 4wd height?
Post by: three8six on July 14, 2010, 10:24:28 pm
I would body lift it and drop the rear an inch to level it out but thats just me. Just cover the hole in between your frame and bed, I hate to see daylight there.
Title: Re: Anyone lifted a 2wd to stock 4wd height?
Post by: Da67goatman on July 14, 2010, 10:29:34 pm
I did that with big block springs up front and add 2 leaves in rear.  Then its all about wheels and tires to get the 4x4 look.
Title: Re: Anyone lifted a 2wd to stock 4wd height?
Post by: MarkS on July 15, 2010, 01:54:06 pm
I did that with big block springs up front and add 2 leaves in rear.  Then its all about wheels and tires to get the 4x4 look.

How was the ride after?
Title: Re: Anyone lifted a 2wd to stock 4wd height?
Post by: Da67goatman on July 15, 2010, 02:35:34 pm
It rides nicer then my moms 2002 Yukon XL and it has coils in the back.
Title: Re: Anyone lifted a 2wd to stock 4wd height?
Post by: markdilljr on July 20, 2010, 03:31:00 pm
I put 1 ton springs in the front and HD leafs in the rear ( the 56" ones ) then put 31x10.50x15 it looked pretty close to 4x4 height
Title: Re: Anyone lifted a 2wd to stock 4wd height?
Post by: Grim 82 on July 20, 2010, 04:26:39 pm
I put 1 ton springs in the front and HD leafs in the rear ( the 56" ones ) then put 31x10.50x15 it looked pretty close to 4x4 height
Your truck looks awesome now but the HD springs in the rear created this condition:
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=16747.0

MarkS, I would add some leafs or use blocks.
Title: Re: Anyone lifted a 2wd to stock 4wd height?
Post by: 78 Chevyrado on July 20, 2010, 05:26:30 pm
Mines a 3/4 ton and already had HD rear springs, but NON-HD front springs.  When I put HD coils up front I had to buy 1.5" lift blocks for the rear.


(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t195/wes2880/78%20C20/GEDC0031.jpg)
Title: Re: Anyone lifted a 2wd to stock 4wd height?
Post by: Swims350 on July 20, 2010, 06:03:24 pm
Well we had a 76 put air shocks on the back and coil spring spacers in the front and rode on 31 10.50's all the time. It sat up some, not sure if it's as tall as a stock 4x4 or not but rode good. A bit stiff in the back if you had it aired up to match the front and were running empty in the bed.
Title: Re: Anyone lifted a 2wd to stock 4wd height?
Post by: markdilljr on July 21, 2010, 10:46:16 am
Thanks,Yea with the rear HD springs they rested on the shackles, switched back to standard springs but you can add blocks to bring the rear up. The ride was very rough with it lifted like it was so I decided to go for a slightly lowered look. One thing to watch out for, when I had the bigger coils in it my upper control arms rested on the top of the coil pocket ( cross member ) which made the ride stiff and it wanted to jump every little bump
Title: Re: Anyone lifted a 2wd to stock 4wd height?
Post by: modular93fox on July 22, 2010, 09:03:10 pm
This isnt the site I was thinking of but its the same part but in a kit. Its a ball joint spacer that gives you an extra 1 or 1.5 ". The spacer goes on the upper arm and simply use longer bolts.

http://universalcarlifts.com/product_info.php?cPath=30_101&products_id=121

clint