Author Topic: 2.5"- 3" Lift  (Read 16001 times)

Offline HerkPilot

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 4
2.5"- 3" Lift
« on: October 06, 2007, 01:59:46 pm »
I'm new here with a question for you guys.

I've been researching lifts for a few weeks and checking out other people's trucks with different setups.  I'm looking at 2-3" lifts because I'm not a big fan of how much room there is between 33's and most 4" lifts out there.  And, from what I understand, most lifts sit an inch or so higher than advertised (I know there's a few variables involved with this but as a general observation).

Has anyone here installed a Cepek or Pro Comp 2.5" or a Tuff Country 3" lift on a 1985 K10 w/ a small block (or similar) and care to chime in on how it sits or how it looks?

Thanks in advance-
« Last Edit: October 06, 2007, 04:32:38 pm by HerkPilot »
1985 K10 LWB
350 w/ Vortec heads
700R4
Stock Suspension w/ 31's

Offline VileZambonie

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 19181
Re: 2.5"- 3" Lift
« Reply #1 on: October 07, 2007, 10:08:27 am »
If you don't want to go with a 4" lift go with an add a leaf in the front and 2" block in the rear. It's cheaper and will give you a nice fit with 33"s
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline 75??? franken-trunk

  • Registered Users
  • *
  • Posts: 100
Re: 2.5"- 3" Lift
« Reply #2 on: October 08, 2007, 07:14:10 am »
2"s of lift you will get like 3" out of it due to spring sag over the years so don't go with blocks or add a leafs. or else you will get 3" up front and 2" at most in back. now im not saying those options are bad or unsafe i have 2" blosks in the back of my truck but someone only put them there for a cool rake like stance i do a lot of off roading  i got no prob with them. but i bet u would agree a level truck looks better then one with a saggin' rear. as for putting it in 2" won't require a new steering arm but you will have to lengthen your old one buy turning out the ajustments and you may or my not have rust issues so be ready to buy new bolts for any thing that has to come off if the kit doesn't include them. other wise go new leafs front and back, get some jb penatraiting oil, careful waih the brakes, and have fun doing so.
Jack'em High
Fat chicks can't climb

Offline HerkPilot

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 4
Re: 2.5"- 3" Lift
« Reply #3 on: October 08, 2007, 08:08:40 am »
I found this picture on the internet of a similar looking truck to mine with my dream stance.  He says that he put 2.5" up front and 3" in the back but doesn't say whetther he used springs or blocks and what company he went with. 


Thanks for the replies!
1985 K10 LWB
350 w/ Vortec heads
700R4
Stock Suspension w/ 31's

Offline VileZambonie

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 19181
Re: 2.5"- 3" Lift
« Reply #4 on: October 08, 2007, 10:13:12 pm »
2"s of lift you will get like 3" out of it due to spring sag over the years so don't go with blocks or add a leafs.

Guess what?

,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline HerkPilot

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 4
Re: 2.5"- 3" Lift
« Reply #5 on: October 09, 2007, 05:23:41 pm »
Vile,

That's the look I'm going for.  Is yours a 1/2 ton?
1985 K10 LWB
350 w/ Vortec heads
700R4
Stock Suspension w/ 31's

Offline VileZambonie

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 19181
Re: 2.5"- 3" Lift
« Reply #6 on: October 09, 2007, 08:02:11 pm »
That's a 3/4 ton with an add a leaf in the front and blocks in the rear. I didn't want a 4" lift bc #1 I wanted my g/f to be able to get in without having to use a trampoline and #2 I built this truck to use not for show even though it looks nice. The 2.5" lift kits are the same thing as the stock springs plus an ad a leaf. If you don't have the means to rebuild your spring pack though you might be better off with a 2.5" lift kit since it's a little less work but a few more $
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline Damien

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 7
Re: 2.5"- 3" Lift
« Reply #7 on: February 05, 2008, 06:24:45 pm »
You might want to try a shackle reversal in the rear with springs in the front. A friend did this on his blazer with 4'' springs in the front.
Check it out.http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/shacklekit.htm
'83 swb 350
'74 Blazer 350
'91 S10 mean 4.3
'02 Trans Am LS1
'63 Riviera 401

Offline joesgarage71

  • Wrench
  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1156
Re: 2.5"- 3" Lift
« Reply #8 on: February 06, 2008, 08:33:21 am »
 I love that pic Vile.

Steve
78' K-20 355/SM465/twin stick 205 6" on 36's
14 bolt FF/big bearing Dana 44 4.56 gears

92' GMC C-1500 454/4L80E/14 bolt