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Author Topic: 73-87 lift kit question  (Read 14090 times)

Offline aaront

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73-87 lift kit question
« on: June 29, 2011, 01:50:33 pm »
Some manufacturers show two kits, one for 73-76 and one for 77-87. But other manufacturers show only one kit for 73-87. What changed in '77?
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Offline Engineer

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Re: 73-87 lift kit question
« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2011, 08:48:25 am »
Size of the front u-bolts maybe?

There were a ton of changes all over the trucks from 1976 production to 1977 production, one of which was a heavier front axle housing on the 4x4 models.

Some lift kit manufacturers may just send u-bolts that fit both, whereas others send u-bolts that have an exact fit.
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Offline NevadaNeal

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Re: 73-87 lift kit question
« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2011, 05:57:06 pm »
Thats the year Gm switched from the Dana 44 front to the 10 bolt.
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Offline beastie_3

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Re: 73-87 lift kit question
« Reply #3 on: July 04, 2011, 12:35:59 am »
but that doesnt matter as far as lifts go. axles almost identical.
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Offline fitz

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Re: 73-87 lift kit question
« Reply #4 on: July 04, 2011, 06:19:11 am »
I think it has to do with the size of the bolt & bushing size of the front spring shackle. GM changed the size of the bolt hole on the shackle at some point.  Some of the springs that say they fit 73-87 come with 2sets of bushings you can swap out to fit your truck.
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Offline ehjorten

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Re: 73-87 lift kit question
« Reply #5 on: July 05, 2011, 10:01:53 am »
Quote from: NevadaNeal on July 03, 2011, 05:57:06 pm
Thats the year Gm switched from the Dana 44 front to the 10 bolt.

Really???...My '77 K20 has a D44 front.
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-Erik-
1991 V3500 - Gen V TBI 454, 4L80E, NP205, 14 bolt FF, D60, 8" Lift on 35s
1977 K20 Silverado - 350, THM350, NP203, 14 bolt FF, D44, Stock Lift on 31s
1969 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe - EFI350, THM350
1968 Chevrolet Step-side Pickup - 300HP L6

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: 73-87 lift kit question
« Reply #6 on: July 05, 2011, 10:45:25 am »
Quote from: ehjorten on July 05, 2011, 10:01:53 am
Quote from: NevadaNeal on July 03, 2011, 05:57:06 pm
Thats the year Gm switched from the Dana 44 front to the 10 bolt.

Really???...My '77 K20 has a D44 front.
Just cause your truck says its a 77 don't mean it was built in 77 think about nowadays when about fall you can buy a 2012. 
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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 ehjorten

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Re: 73-87 lift kit question
« Reply #7 on: July 05, 2011, 12:01:25 pm »
It has been a long-standing tradition that automobiles have a new model year starting in the 4th quarter of the preceeding year.  That is nothing new!

My '77 K20 has a VIN that says it is a 1977, was built in Janesville and was the 61,333 truck of the year.  My 1977 factory service manual also says that it has a D44.  If it was a K10 I think then it would have had a 10-bolt, but I would have to re-check my books.

Anyways...sorry to hijack the thread.
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-Erik-
1991 V3500 - Gen V TBI 454, 4L80E, NP205, 14 bolt FF, D60, 8" Lift on 35s
1977 K20 Silverado - 350, THM350, NP203, 14 bolt FF, D44, Stock Lift on 31s
1969 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe - EFI350, THM350
1968 Chevrolet Step-side Pickup - 300HP L6

Offline beastie_3

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Re: 73-87 lift kit question
« Reply #8 on: July 05, 2011, 01:30:22 pm »
a D44 is available in 1/2 and 3/4 ton.
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Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: 73-87 lift kit question
« Reply #9 on: July 05, 2011, 01:52:11 pm »
Quote from: beastie_3 on July 05, 2011, 01:30:22 pm
a D44 is available in 1/2 and 3/4 ton.
and so is the 10 bolt to 77+
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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 rugger

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Re: 73-87 lift kit question
« Reply #10 on: July 05, 2011, 03:31:28 pm »
i know this doesnt help you out much but i have a kit that was on a 75 k5 on my 85 gmc truck. everything fit like it was suspost to.
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Offline aaront

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Re: 73-87 lift kit question
« Reply #11 on: July 05, 2011, 08:47:48 pm »
Comparing Procomp kits on Summit racing, the only difference is the front ubolts. It shows 73-76 with a 3" axle tube and the 77-87 with a 2.960" axle tube. Now, I know my 76 with a D44 has the second design tierod and the axle tube measures 2.960". I don't know if the front axle is original, because I know the rear isn't. The rear is a 12 bolt G80 3.73 and the front is D44 3.07. My plans are to put 3.73s in the front, 4 inch lift with 33's, and part-time the NP203.
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