Author Topic: 4 inch lift on the 87 1/2 ton silverado  (Read 8701 times)

Offline mdalbertson87

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4 inch lift on the 87 1/2 ton silverado
« on: September 10, 2010, 08:51:52 am »
i have been looking through the forums pretty extensively and looking at everyone trucks and mods they have done...... this site is awesome. best forum i have seen in a long time.... anyways i have a 87 chevy silverado 1/2 ton, 4x4, 5.7 and i recently got a free lift for it. i have seen that the steering arm and brake lines to need to be replaced or modified. any other suggestions i should keep an eye out for???

so far the truck is going good:
tune up
oil change
tranny flush
diff gaskets and oil
brake fluid change
passenger rear wheel cylinder replaced
driver front caliper replaced
pads and shoes replaced all around
radiator flush
injectors cleaned
fuel pump and selector valve replaced

and overall this wasnt that bad, i only paid 400 bucks for the pickup, its been non op-ed for 7 years, only thing that is wrong is it smokes at start up and that im positive is a valve seal. how would i identify which valve it is? thanks guys. much appreciated!!!!
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Offline bake74

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Re: 4 inch lift on the 87 1/2 ton silverado
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2010, 10:12:28 am »
    Most 4" lifts won't cause extensive modifications, but sometimes the brake lines will need to be lengthened,and the driveshafts.  just install and check and make sure both have enough travel before taking off road, if not than modify.  also check your steering in the same manner for the right angles.  good luck
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Offline heavychevy91

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Re: 4 inch lift on the 87 1/2 ton silverado
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2010, 10:16:29 am »
rear pinion angle is the only other thing i can think of. usually with just a 4" your OK

Offline mdalbertson87

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Re: 4 inch lift on the 87 1/2 ton silverado
« Reply #3 on: September 10, 2010, 07:01:31 pm »
is there any way that i can adjust the angle myself?....... i mean like angling the blocks myself,  using a plasma cutter and straight edge and wedging it or is that to hard for me to do myself?
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Offline bake74

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Re: 4 inch lift on the 87 1/2 ton silverado
« Reply #4 on: September 11, 2010, 01:00:36 am »
     Nothing is impossible, I don't know your level of fabrication skills, but it is possible.  If you are proficient enough to Fab the blocks, my personal preference is to cut off the spring perches on the axles and reweld new ones on at the right angles.  I have done this on several 4x4 in the past and I feel much safer knowing it is welded and not have an angled block between the perch and spring......Tom
#1: The easiest and most obvious solution to any problem is 99% of the time correct.
#2: There is no such thing as impossible, it just takes longer.
  74 k10, 77k10    Tom

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: 4 inch lift on the 87 1/2 ton silverado
« Reply #5 on: September 11, 2010, 01:06:09 am »
With a 4" your ok no need to mod any angles even with a 6 you’re usually good
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline captain carnage

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Re: 4 inch lift on the 87 1/2 ton silverado
« Reply #6 on: September 11, 2010, 11:25:34 am »
I agree, 4" lifts basically bolt right in. You can get away with stock steering, brake lines and drive shafts, but I'd recommend the raised steering arm, otherwise your turning radius will be reduced, and you don't want that on these trucks ;D
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Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: 4 inch lift on the 87 1/2 ton silverado
« Reply #7 on: September 11, 2010, 02:15:19 pm »
I agree, 4" lifts basically bolt right in. You can get away with stock steering, brake lines and drive shafts, but I'd recommend the raised steering arm, otherwise your turning radius will be reduced, and you don't want that on these trucks ;D
is that even possible lol
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline mdalbertson87

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Re: 4 inch lift on the 87 1/2 ton silverado
« Reply #8 on: September 12, 2010, 09:47:09 am »
what do those steering arms cost or run????
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Offline three8six

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Re: 4 inch lift on the 87 1/2 ton silverado
« Reply #9 on: September 12, 2010, 10:04:13 am »
http://www.automotiveconcepts.net/products/Skyjacker-Suspension_Components-42803.html?utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase



Do not quote me but I think this is what they are saying you need. Im sure you did some ebaying/shopping around you'd find one much cheaper.

Offline beastie_3

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Re: 4 inch lift on the 87 1/2 ton silverado
« Reply #10 on: September 12, 2010, 03:12:09 pm »
Probably wont find it much cheaper. I have the steering arm as well as the pitman arm with my 6 inch kit. I also have the sway bar and transfer case kit.