Alternative lift options

[bigtee72]

My buddy has an '89 chevy s-10 blazer. He wants to raise it 2". I told him the proper way was a lift kit. He wants to know about 2" blocks in the back with longer U-bolts, and cranking up the torsion bars in the front. All this just to fit 31" tires with aggresive tread. Any thoughts would be most helpful.

[Captkaos]

I am moving this to general discussion as this is for fullsize Blazer/Jimmys, but I don't think the ride would be that good if you turn up the torsion bars.  I wouldn't think that would be enough lift for 31s on an 89 S-series Blazer though.  Never had one...

[VileZambonie]

He can max out the torsion bars but better replace the mounts because they will break.

[bigtee72]

Are you talking about the torsion bar supports?

[red4wd]

You can get indexed torsion bar "keys" for most applications that will give you a couple inches of lift. 

Here is a link http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180220317959

[VileZambonie]

Are you talking about the torsion bar supports?

Yep, there's an updated design. If you have the original design on there and crank up the torsion bars I gaurantee they will break

[k5blazerfan]

Dont mess with the torsion bars gives ya a junky ride.... id put in a 3 inch body lift and you should be good to go...

[beastie_3]

Im not sure about the s10, but I know there are places to buy new torsion keys for the full size trucks. It gives lift while retaining the stock ride. I used to sell them at my old shop. Full Throttle Suspension used to make them. See if they are still around.

[1980c10]

a body lift would probably be the easiest good solution. he could trim the fenders too. i had an 86 s10 blazer with no lift, my tires were 29.5 tall, i forget the actual size though. they fit.

[Captkaos]

This post is almost 2 years old....

[team39763]

HAHAHA...bringin' it back from the dead huh?

I cranked up the torsion bars on my 94, but I'm gonna go ahead and put in some of the updated lift keys.  I stuck a set of 31's on it and it only needs minor trimming on the rear of the fender lip.  I wanted to put a 3" body lift on it, but people said the 94 was different from all other years and I might have to get steering shaft extension and oil line extensions(?) and I needed a 94 specific kit, so I decided to just crank the bars up a little more.  They're not maxed out though.

[team39763]

Here's a pic of my S10 with the t-bars cranked a little and 31" tires on 17" ZR1 wheels.