Looking for advice on lift kits.

[Caan]

1987 TBI 5.7 GMC Suburban 2500 4X4,

Just looking for advice or tips anyone could offer regarding lift kits on my Suburban. Quick note, I'm new here, don't have much experience, and am just learning as I go here.....

Anyways. Bought my suburban 3 months ago. I am presently getting help from a friend to resolve some hopefully minor issues (Distributor). However when this is fixed in a few days, I would like to turn my attention and pocket book towards a lift and all terrains.

Currently its driving on 265 70 16, stock rims. The tire and wheels look very skinny or disportioned. Not looking to go mudding and am pretty sure I don't want to go higher than a 6 inch lift. I was thinking 4 inch lift with nice semi aggressive tires. I'm just not sure what would be great fit. Also not sure about type of lifts, sizes of tires, and quality of equipment.

Any suggestions would be very appreciative

[Toolmaster]

BDS  They have the only life time warranty on metal parts. Shocks are not lifetime, but they are a good shock.

http://bds-suspension.com/product?ma=5&mo=5&ty=1&yr=1977-1987 

[bake74]

     Do a search for lift kits in this sections.  Lots of threads on the subject.  A 4 " lift will not require too much for you to do.  One word of advice, look for a kit that comes with the steering arm for a 4" lift to keep your angles up front correct.  In my opinion, a full spring lift, over a rear block lift is a better ride.
     Different manufactures make their lifts for different purposes. IE. flex, or ride comfort, or corner control and roll, etc. etc.  You should really take the weight of the vehicle into consideration when choosing which manufacture for the lift, and read up on what everyone on here has said about their lifts.

[Caan]

I'm glad you mentioned the full sping lift versus a block lift. I was very curious about this. One thing I didn't mention before was that the previous owner put a 2 inch block lift on the truck. As it stands right now I'm not sure I am happy with the way the truck rides at this current time. It feels kind of rough when I hit pot holes and bumpy roads. But was unsure if this was because it's a 2500 and that is the way it was meant to be.

It seemed logical that this could be changed with different leaf springs, but I just wasn't sure.

So I am thinking maybe scrap the 2 inch block lift that is already on the Suburban, and go with a completely new 4 inch spring lift. Is this advisable? Also, by doing this would I be taking away any pulling capabilities or performance from the Burb due to it being a 2500.

[gcochran223]

I went to the junk yard and got 2 sets of springs. Added to the front and rear. No blocks.bought the 4" drop pitman off ebay and 4 skyjacker shocks from summit racing. Rides like a tank now.

[Jason S]

My thoughts and observations,

For the rear you can use blocks, springs or shackle flips and all are acceptable and safe.  Just please don't use any blocks on the front axle.

Springs can and will lose their temper.  After 25 years, your 'Burb's springs have probably settled in and are contributing to it being a rough ride. I noticed a big difference in ride when I replaced the factory installed rear springs on my '74 Chevy. I have also observed over the past few years that the rear springs on my 2005 Chevy 2500 begin to lose their arch; most of it's life has seen easy highway miles with some intermittent heavy trailer pulling (travel trailer, 8K lbs tractor, etc.)

With blocks under the rear, you don't have to invest as much time installing or money into a kit. You keep the stock springs and load capacity. Blocks will contribute to axle wrap and the ride may be affected, but they are proven to hold up (no pun intended).  Springs are going to cost more and take a bit more time to put in; however, it sounds like they may fit the bill for your 'Burb...

Also check into longer brake hoses if you go 4" or more. Stock length hoses, especially the front, can get stretched pretty tight with a lift kit and full axle droop.

My '73 GMC has an older Rancho 4" lift kit with blocks in the back.  It rides pretty rough, but it's riding on nearly 40 year old rear springs...

[Irish_Alley]

hes my input. i have rough country all springs 6" on my truck was 6" blocks ride got rougher then with just the blocks. idk why but it did. so i think no blocks look better but its kind of not worth it. i would buy new front springs and buy the blocks. like said get the s.s. brake lines most kits offer them and something to adjust the difference in steering parts. about towing i have a 3/4 with 6" like i said and with a 350 and sm465 she can haul anything. well havent tried anything bigger than a truck. but she doesn’t have a problem doing that

[Engineer]

I had Skyjacker 8" fronts in the past. Had real good luck with them.

To match I had 8" rears that were made from a set of 56" OE rear springs taken from an '80 Chevy G-30 cutaway van. I had a local spring shop pull arch into the van springs until they measured 52". (actually about 51" without load) Voila, 8" rear springs. You have to use van springs to do this, because the 56" pickup springs have the tie bolt offset 4".

In the long run, rearched rears will give less trouble than using a block to lift.