Need a measurement please.

[Psycho71]

Getting closer to deciding on lift kit.

Was out working on my '85 3/4ton burb today, and installed some new, to me, wheels with older tires. These tires are sized at 36x14.5x16.5. They are actually 35" tall. The burb sits way higher than I think it should for being factory springs, even on 35" tall tires.

Can y'all post up a measurement from the center of the hub to the top of the fender well (front and rear), and include whatever lift info you have?

Trying to determine if mine has any lift on it now, so I can figure out what I need to do to get it high enough so the tires won't rub.

I will not be using these tires. Just got them on a set of wheels I bought. They are dry rotted bad. Have a set of H1 take-offs (36x12.5x16.5) to swap onto it.

Again, just trying to get some info on what I have now vs what I'll need to buy. 

Thanks

[bake74]

     maybe you should post your measurements and pics if you have them, that way people can know how your sits.

[Psycho71]

Will do that in the am.

[Psycho71]

Well, no pics yet. but my measurement from the center of the hub to the top lip on the fender is about 24.5" +/-. The front springs have 3 leaves, and they are all full length. The are sitting pretty much flat, with no arch at all.

 Didn't measure the rear, as I can see those springs are sagging a bit.

 It will get new springs front and rear, just need to know a bit more about what I might have now, so I can have a good idea about what I might need?

[Psycho71]

Bueller, Bueller? Anyone?

[Grim 82]

It sounds like you definitely have some lift in there now. I could measure mine, but it wouldn't do you much good since I just have a bunch of extra leafs stuck in there and don't know exactly how much lift it makes. I have 1 extra in the front so they still have the negative arch and that gives mine approx. 2.5-3". I clear 33" AT's but had to trim to fit my 33" TSL's on 12" wide rock crawlers. I could probably clear 35" AT's. Since you will be replacing the springs anyway I wouldn't worry much about how it sits now, just what you need for it to work when you are done.
You might be able to clear the new tires with a 4" depending on lots of things including the wheel width and offset, and tire tread, but a 6" spring kit with a steering arm or Z-draglink and new shocks would get it done. You might be able to do it with a 4", it's tough to guess. If you still want a measurement let me know, but mine is pretty much frankensteined at the moment. Hope that helps

[Psycho71]

here's a pic of the Hummer tires on the burb. I'm definitely thinking it has some kind of lift on the front end. The rear sits a good 3-4" lower than the front.

[Grim 82]

It looks higher than stock for sure.

[ehjorten]

I've got 29.5" from hub center to wheel well lip both front and rear.  8" Superlift springs.

[bake74]

     If your front sits higher than your rear does, somebody maybe started a lift project and only got the front done.  If anything, your front should be 1" or so lower than your rear.

[Psycho71]

That's what I'm thinking at this point. At first I thought the rear springs were just sagging really bad. But the farther along I get on this build, the more I think they altered the front end somehow. The front springs have 3 leaves, all of them are full length, and both the inner/top and second spring are rolled up on the front. The inner/top spring rolls tightly, as that is where it's bolt is, the middle spring is rolled, but much larger ID. Just think it's all kinda weird, but being my first K20 I'm not sure what the "norm" is. 

I'm gonna order DIY4x's rear shackle flip kit, and new shackles for the rear. Should give me about 4" of lift there. Also, I'm gonna get a set of Bushwacker Cut-out fender flares for front and rear. Should open up the wheel wells a bit for some added tire clearance which is badly needed on the front at this point. I figure that'll give me a good starting point, with some room for mod's later on without re-buying the same parts over again in the future (i.e., springs). I could always do a 1" add-a-leaf later for a bit more height, if needed. And with the shackle flip in the rear, retaining the stock springs, it should ride better than lift springs, as well as upgrading the factory shackle hangers and shackles themselves to much stouter parts. The only drawback i see the doing the shackle flip is having to drop the gas tank, again, to bolt the new hangers on. It's easy to get out, but a royal PIA to get back in, well reconnecting all the lines is actually what just flat SUX! And it's not like I can just jack up the bed to make it easier, since it's a burb.

Updates will be coming, soon I hope. Any other ideas are welcome.

[captain carnage]

Mine is 26.25 in the front with a 4" lift.