Advice/ Suggestions for this Lift kit

[Caan]

1987 GMC Suburban 2500 4X4

My plans: 4' lift kit, AT MOST 35 inch tires, 16X10 rims

Currently, the driver side rear sags lower than the passenger side, and the leaf springs look like they need to be changed anyways.

Just hoping I can get some good advice and suggestions before I make my purchase. This will be my first big project on my Suburban, and I have been all over the internet trying to figure what I want to do. The below info is Copied and Pasted from the actual advertisement. I deleted the prices cause I don't want anyone to think I'm a spammer. I left the part numbers in though. It is looking like this kit will be costing me upwards of Base $1,085.00 dollars. Looks like added equipment could push this over $1,500.00 dollars

From what I can tell this kit is NOT including, steering arm, drag link, steering stabilizers or new brake lines. The lift kit is a Skyjacker 4' inch system which includes four new spings, and ubolts, and I think shock options of hydro, or nitro if I want to pay a little more. Looks like I will need dual front shocks for the front and two for the rear, so six shocks total.

Now for my questions:

1. Is this considered a good kit for the price? Can I do better if I look harder?

2. What other equipment is a must to have  along with this kit?

3. What other things should I consider (items not listed) in the advertisement which are not listed that I will positively need.

4. A friend recommended installing new bushings, does this come with bushing kits. or is there some sort of bushing kit that is sold seperatly. If so what bushings do I need or should be changed?

5. I am planning on cleaning up the undercarriage when we do the lift install. Any suggestions for painting components and cleaning minor surface rust, grease, dirt, etc...... on some of the undercarriage.

6. Over all, what other tasks should I consider doing while the install is in progress, as long as the Burb will be up on stands and being taken apart. Are there other parts I should replace as long as its taken apart.

7. Do I need a new brake lines?

8. Do I need dual steering stabilizers or stick with the stock stabilizer and just change out the stock shock?

Suggestions are greatly appreciated. This is a new challenge for me and my limited skills, but I do have help from a friend, and access to quality tools. But I am just trying to get as mech input as possible, and want to make sure this project is done with everything considered.....

=================================================================
Heres the Kit I'm looking at:

4" System for 73-87 Suburban 4WD 3/4 Ton 8-Lug with 56-Inch Replacement Rear Springs  - SKY-C140BKSD-N
Nitro Shocks

NOTES:
K6. Optional 4” Offset Drag Link Available - # GMDL4.
K10. Fitted Leafs are Available for Additional Weight Capacity (Heavy Winch Bumper, Big Block or Diesel Engine, Etc.).

PURCHASE ACCESSORIES:
The list below contains required and/or optional items. Please read the description above for all possible required items. Select the quantity you want and they will be added when you click "Add to Cart"

 Steering Arm 67-87 Gm W/4 - SKY-CA100
Price: XXXXXX
Sale Price: XXXXX

 Gm Adjustable Drag Link, 4"Offs - SKY-GMDL4
Price: XXXXX
Sale Price: XXXXX

 *  Dual Stabilizer Kit W/Red Boots - SKY-7220
Price: XXXXX
Sale Price: XXXXXX
 
 * Oem Stabilizer W/Red Boot - SKY-7055
Price: XXXXX
Sale Price: XXXX
 

 

[Caan]

One other thing I might add. I am really wondering about the dual steering stablizers. I live in south Louisiana and encounter deep water pot holes and puddles during bad rain and thunderstorms. From what I read, the dual steering stabilizers are meant for deep water situations.

Should I lean towards the dual steering stabilizers, or is this going overboard?

[bake74]

     OK here goes.  Price is the price for a skyjacker lift.  Yes you can do better in price, but you will get what you pay for. (ride quality is different with all lift kits)
     Dual steering stabilizer's for your rig, I would say must have. ( they help prevent premature wearing of steering parts, along with easier handling of steering).
     Steering arm and drag link I would purchase if it was for me just to keep all the steering componet's in factory spec settings.
     New bushings, It should come with the spring bushings if that is what you are asking, if not I personally would not buy the kit if it did not have spring bushings with the springs.
     Under coatings for frame:  I love to use Por-15 or Chassis saver for protection.  But if you do not want to get that deep into it, I would at least clean and paint frame and frame parts for protection.
     As far as what else to do when up on stands:  Take some time to check all your steering componet's, brakes, brake lines, u-joints, drive shaft's and such, it is there and accessible. 
     As far as extended brake lines, yours should work, it does not sound like you are going to be doing any hard off roading. (4" kit with 35" tires are going to be close).
     So hopefully that helps you out, keep us informed and take some pics while doing all this.  We are all suckers for pics you know. 

[thirsty]

       Steering arm and drag link I would purchase if it was for me just to keep all the steering componet's in factory spec settings.

I would go with just the steering arm and not the drag link. They are both designed to compensate for the same thing aren't they? You don't need to do it twice. Your dropped drag link would have to be installed with the drop curves horizontal just to make it fit with a raised steering arm.

[bake74]

       Steering arm and drag link I would purchase if it was for me just to keep all the steering componet's in factory spec settings.

I would go with just the steering arm and not the drag link. They are both designed to compensate for the same thing aren't they? You don't need to do it twice. Your dropped drag link would have to be installed with the drop curves horizontal just to make it fit with a raised steering arm.

      I believe your right thirsty, the steering arm should be enough, I have a tendacy to go overboard sometimes when it comes to my vehicles ( I have a problem leaving anything stock for long ).  The adjustable drag link with steering arm is only if you go with a big lift.

[firefighter]

I've heard it both ways about if you need longer flexible brake hoses so I didn't buy any when I got my 4" lift kit.

I found on my truck that if I was going to retain my factory brake line locations that I definitely needed longer flexible brake hoses in all 3 locations. If I didn't get longer ones, I was afraid that if the suspension did any movement upward, it may stretch the brake lines too far.

This was just my situation though. I've heard others say they didn't need longer ones.

Definitely get the raised steering arm and sway bar lowering blocks (if you have one).

[chevyjoe_99]

         Dual steering stabilizer's for your rig, I would say must have. ( they help prevent premature wearing of steering parts, along with easier handling of steering).
          New bushings, It should come with the spring bushings if that is what you are asking, if not I personally would not buy the kit if it did not have spring bushings with the springs.
       

 The way I have heard it worded on the stabilizer(s) is anything over 36" tires you want the duals. Anything under 36" you only need 1. I personally like the look of the dual stabilizers. I also believe that since your right about the difference line with the tire size overkill is probably the best choice.

  As far as the brake lines go, if you do decide to get them, spend the extra money and get the braided stainless lines because they are stronger. They say that they help prevent the lines swelling under hard braking ( I don't know how true this is but it makes sense).

[chevyjoe_99]

Oh I forgot to mention, I agree fully with bake74 on the bushing comment. If the kit doesn't come with them, I would look elsewhere.

[454k30]

Looks like you have quite a plan.  Skyjacker is not the best ride in the world.  Tuff Country gives a much better experience.  Other guys have chimed in with a lot of good information so I will steer you towards the guys who supplied most of the parts for my rig.  Off Road Design in Colorado offer some really, really cool stuff just for our trucks.  entire suspension came from them.  Google them and have a look; you are self admitted over-doer, you will love their stuff!   

I have a 4 inch lift, 37 inch tires.  To make up for the steering geometry I used a cross-over setup.  This gave me a much better turning radius, eliminated the bump steer and got rid of that funky push-pull GM steering.

Even with only 35 inch tires you will have to trim your front fenders at least a little bit.

A single steering stabilizer is plenty unless you really like the look of the duals or if your steering is sloppy as heck. 

New bushings are 100% needed.  Whether you use rubber or poly is your call but poly is much easier to deal with.

Rust bullet also makes a great product for under coating. 

Yes, you will need new brake lines. 

If you keep your sway bar you will also need a sway bar correction of some sort.

My lift is 4" springs in the front, shackle flip in the rear, no sway bar.  This setup has great road manners and flexes well off-road.  I try to suggest it to everyone who lifts a chevy.

[bake74]

Looks like you have quite a plan.  Skyjacker is not the best ride in the world.  Tuff Country gives a much better experience.  !   

     You are the first person who I have heard say that Tuff Country is a better ride than Skyjacker.  I have used both and have been around a lot of people who have Tuff Country lifts on Chevy's, they all say that Tuff Country is stiffer and a harsher ride.
     I decided not to go with Tuff Country on my 74 because of the stiffness and my back, even though the lift is less than skyjacker.  I have not totally decided yet, but I am leaning toward Skyjacker 6" lift for comfort.  I do not plan to 4wd my truck except fire roads and camping, so I do not need the flex that Tuff Country offers.
     This is why in my earlier post I said people should do their homework on lift kits, they all offer something a little different and the person who owns the truck are the one's who has to live with the lift kit.

[chevyjoe_99]

  Off Road Design in Colorado offer some really, really cool stuff just for our trucks.  entire suspension came from them.  Google them and have a look; you are self admitted over-doer, you will love their stuff!   

These guys are like 20 miles away from me. I see their products all over the roads and trails. I personally don't have any of their products on my truck but have met the owners before. Everyone I have talked to about their products/customer service, has nothing but good to say about them.

[76k104x4]

I put a 4 inch Rough Country lift on my truck it was cheaper about 800 dollars I think with new rear springs I had to get the extended brake lines 1 because I needed them and 2 because mine where 30 years old and I did get the steering arm also I just have the 1 steering stabilizer it works good so far and I have 35 s too

[ehjorten]

Couple of things I was thinking of when I read this thread (these are simply my opinions, but are verified by my experience):
1) Skyjacker springs are very cheaply made!  They will get the job done, but you might not be happy with them in the long run.  Tuff Country's do ride rough.  BDS springs are much better, but I'll save my money for a set of Alcans either from Alcan or through Offroad Design anyday!
2) 35" tires are way too big for a 4" lift.  Stick with 33s on a 4", but I like my suspension to be able to fully move without having to do body mods.
3) If you have all your steering components in good repair you won't need dual stabilizers
4) OffRoad Design is a great company, but not the cheapest and most of the stuff they market is not their own, they just have it all put together for you in a simple one stop shopping location.  They are very knowledgeable however.

[Caan]

Another question about the lift kit.

Should I be going with the 56 ' springs or the 52' springs.

What is the difference in ride. I read an article about a 3/4 ton suburban which had 52' springs. But I think the 56 ' are the stock. Can anyone give advice on this ? Does it really matter which size springs I get?

I'm getting ready to order my parts........Thanks for all the great advise so far

[bake74]

Another question about the lift kit.

Should I be going with the 56 ' springs or the 52' springs.

What is the difference in ride. I read an article about a 3/4 ton suburban which had 52' springs. But I think the 56 ' are the stock. Can anyone give advice on this ? Does it really matter which size springs I get?

I'm getting ready to order my parts........Thanks for all the great advise so far

     You have to measure your springs and order the same.  Measure along the springs on the top from eyelet to eyelet, if they are 56" you need 56".