Another lift ?

Silverado Brethern · #1 03-02-2005, 05:04 PM

We all want a lift for our trucks, most of us dont have the $3500 required for a susp. lift wheels and tires. so then a guy starts to think how to get it all for cheap as possible. Other than being the friend of friend who knows a guy thats works at this place where you can get an amazing deal...the other alternative is ebay. I do however think it would be foolish at least to buy used suspension parts but most of what in under that catagory in new in the box. So what i found is that brand new rough country and fab tech 6" kits are $800-$1200, blocks/torsion cam are $40-150, and there are a wide assortment of airbag lifts. 6" kit, still too much. i like the block/torsion bar kit but would i need new shocks? (they're kinda worn out anyway) and any idea how good the offroad performance on an air bag lift is? cuz if i were lifting a truck that would mean it would be gettin thrashed in the mud and on the trails even more, the queerest thing is a truck that's lifted "for looks". sorry had to preach a lil. at this point the block/torsion bar kit is sound very enticing especially seeing as i need new tires,BTW dont ever buy mud kings mine are less than 15K and nearly bald, and by my calcumaltion i could fit a 305/75/r15 with room to spare.

TaNK_Em · #2 03-02-2005, 05:10 PM

I want to get maybe a 2.5-3 inch lift on my truck, I saw one in i think Jegs a 2.5 inch Skyjacker lift for about 300 dollers i think that includes everything you need. I wouldent want a 6 inch lift i think thats to high up.

- Kevin

TexasF355F1 · #3 03-02-2005, 05:32 PM

I don't have any clue as to how well airbags would work off-road. They're heavy duty bags, but I'd imagine theyd hold up fairly well unless your just hauling ass everywhere.

Silverado Brethern · #4 03-02-2005, 06:32 PM

Ideally if if money werent an issue i would get a 6" rough country lift and a 3" body lift so i could fit 38" tires. done priced all that and hoping that i could do it all myself it was slightly over $2500 to get it with some lil extras. so i'd say that im gonna order one of those block and torsion bar cam kits.

Silverado Brethern · #5 03-02-2005, 08:49 PM

Here's an ambitious plan/question...what if a guy were to buy this rear block torsion bar cam kit, said to raise 2", could you also buy a 2" or 3" body lift kit as well? if so that would be 5" of lift for less than $300.....

v10_viper · #6 03-03-2005, 02:32 AM

I'm sorry but to lift a truck suspension is the only way to go, personal preference though, body lifts aren't bad. I'd go to Rough Country if you want a good lift kit, I can't remembre right off my head what they ahve, but a 6" lift is $975, 4" lift is $950, and i th ink they have like a 2-3" lift for around 500 bucks. They also carry Mickey Thompson wheels and tires to complement your lift.

J-Ri · #7 03-04-2005, 12:06 AM

I don't know how much y'all like your fenders, but on my 86, I could fit 38.5 (maybe bigger) with a 4" lift and some trimming. Bigger tires are the most effective offroad upgrade. I've never hit the frame/underbody components while offroading, but I've got hung up on the differentials quite a few times. Bigger tires get the axle high enough to reduce differential contact with the ground.

Silverado Brethern · #8 03-05-2005, 02:23 PM

As far as tires go i want to get 315/75/R16, nothing bigger and nothing smaller. 5" of lift for $285 is way too good to pass up. I know the lift quality wont be near that of a susp. lift but as J-Ri said, you are only as high as your lowest point. Mine being extra cab i have got hung up on the middle but with 5" lift and 3" taller tires...8" higher than normal. I just question if the torsion bar keys will have any adverse effects on my IFS..?

v10_viper · #9 03-05-2005, 06:50 PM

Ok...so does this body lift your getting come with brackets for bumpers and everything else that is going to need to be raised?? I'm sorry, and I hate to say this to you but I hate fucking body lifts, I seen a K1500 two days ago at O'Reily's and it had a body lift on it and the front end looks fucking ugly, mainly because you can see the end of the front frame rails and the two hooks are so low compared to it....plus the frame already shows bad enough on these trucks where the cab is at...I know it's not my truck and you probably don't care for my opinion, but I'd wait till I had the money for a suspension lift.

J-Ri · #10 03-06-2005, 12:28 AM

There's not really anything wrong with body lifts, unless you care too much about apperance, but does anyone who goes offroading care much about appearance? I think you would be happier if you wait until you can afford a suspension lift, because you will get better articulation out of it. A body lift, however is a better way in terms of lower center of gravity. As long as you don't put blocks on it, you'll be fine. Don't worry about what others think, if they hate it, they'll never want to steal it.

v10_viper · #11 03-06-2005, 01:22 AM

I always thought that body lifts increased the center of gravity but maybe not...I guess it can kind of be seen from both ways. I dont think that' he's using this truck strictly for going off road, and this is why i say go with suspension lift, because you not only get a better suspension...they usually look good too, in my opinion much better than a body lift, and when it comes to automotive things, I rarely look at what's the cheapest.

J-Ri · #12 03-06-2005, 02:15 AM

A body lift does increase the center of gravity, but not to the extent that a suspension lift does because the frame, engine, and tranny stay in the same spot (well, a bit higher due to taller tires). Doesn't make a huge difference, but on a steep enough side hill it could be your best friend

I agree that a suspension lift is better, on and off road, but I don't think there's anything wrong with a body lift. The truck will handle about the same, have the same ride, and have the same spring rate.

Silverado Brethern · #13 03-06-2005, 02:40 PM

I would much rather wait and get a suspension lift but that would be a long time. So ill go with 5" for $285, oh and btw the technically the torsion bar key/block lift is a suspension lift. Yes the body lift kit come with front bumper raising brackets that i will coat with weld and i wouldnt want to raise the rear bumper cuz that would make the hitch look far worse. So ill either get a piece of diamond plate or paint a piece of sheet metal teal green to match the truck. Also i do a good deal of offroading (i have a mud pit dug in my back yard) and this truck is a daily driver and will be for a long long time. Honestly tho i could give two shits less about how it looks, as long as it can go where ever i want thats all i ask. But either way a lifted truck looks cool no matter what type of lift is on it.

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