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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => The Highs (Raising/Lifts) => Topic started by: Acrylicophobia on June 23, 2014, 10:26:55 pm
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So, I have a 79 Scottsdale K10 w/ 305 (orig. a 400), TH350, NP203, Dana 44 and Corporate 12 bolt. The previous owner put in lift blocks front and rear (somewhere around 2" front and 4" rear, haven't measured), and it appears possibly add-a-leaf in the rear. Steering arm appears to be for a lift. When I try to hook up the front driveshaft, the flange won't align and sit flat because it is resting on the crossmember.
I guess I have three questions:
-First, is it likely that I have bad mounts on the crossmember that would cause the t-case to sit too low?
-Second, if I remove the lift blocks and replace the steering arm with a stock one, is there anything I would HAVE to replace immediately? Shocks would come soon after, but I just want to get the front driveshaft back in it so I can move it around my yard without getting stuck as much, and the back tires are bald.
-That said, third question: I have 33 x 12.50/15 on it currently. Will I almost definitely rub tires, assuming this puts me back to stock height?
Here are a few pics of the current setup. If you see anything else I would need to fix, please let me know. Aside from the sway bar just hanging there.
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Cont'd
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A better view of the transfer case mount bushings would be great, but from the views so far I would say the transfer case mount bushings are worn out.
Before tearing out all of the lift I would fix the transfer case mounts first.
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I'll see if I can take one this afternoon. I was wondering if the transfer case looked like it was sitting pretty low.
Regardless, I need to at least plan to get rid of those front lift blocks, don't I? Maybe put in a set of rear leaf springs up front?
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There's a reason why front lift blocks are illegal in most states if not all. Are you positive that the cross member is correct for the truck?
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Not the least bit. It could have came from the same vehicle as the 305 (supposedly out of an 85 pickup).
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Looks like the PO might have pieced meal a kit together, those front springs are not stock, they are lift springs, they are not negative arched.
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You're probably right. I'm wondering if I just take out the front and rear blocks, if the tires would still fit. I figure they will though.
And I believe the trans/t-case mounts are the culprit on the driveshaft issue, especially the one closest to the driveshaft. Here's a pic:
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that cross member looks like mine on my 79 sm465/205 it also has the long transfer case adapter like yours. it is a very tight fit but judging by the oil i see i wouldnt think the rubber mounts are holding any shape at all and might be your problem
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Part of that was probably blown onto it from the leaking transmission pan gasket. The whole pan is covered.
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try to lift up on the t case see how much clearance you get
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It was definitely the mounts. Put in new ones, bolted it all back up and now there's room.
On a side note, which blue is this? RPO code tag is long gone. I also have the vin that has an R over the 4 in the third position (400, which was the original engine), that I'm starting to think was just a mis-stamp.
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cant help on the code but glad you got it figured out
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Do you think that is the original paint, or has it been repainted ? If original, try the GM Heritage (http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=18701.msg149510#msg149510) website found here in the tech section.
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The headliner and area under the seats has the original paint, I think. OutsIde has been painted over. I'm just trying to figure out if it's Hawaiian or Marine blue. When you search for pictures of either, you get all different shades. I'll metro looking around.
Back to the lift kit questions, if I measure the front springs and they're 52", that's giving me 2" of lift, correct? I'm planning to leave them and pull the lift blocks. And I guess I would need a drop bracket for the sway bar. I have a factory steering arm on the way in case the current one is too high after the drop.