lift questions?

[jrock]

all i want is about 2-3'' to fit 33x10.5 on an 85 pickup. all i find are 3'' and larger. i'd considered 53'' Chevys and relocating the rears up front to save money but i can't find info on the lift ht. and it looks a litttle extreem for what i do. but i have thought of using All-pro 5'' springs and doing an axle over. any thoughts?

[8D3TOY]

A 3" lift like Downey's is not that much $ and it wont lift the truck really high like the 5" All Pro. With 3" you can fit 33's nicely.  Axle over? Not real sure what you mean.

[jrock]

axle over: axles on top of the leaf springs not under.

[FIREBALL]

You can do a combination of add-a-leafs and longer shackles. Cheap and not too much lift. Maybe not optimal as far as articulation etc. but for mild wheelin would be fine.
The other option if you can fab, is cut and re-locate your spring hangers down a couple of inches and build longer shackles. Your spring rate and ride will be basicaly the same just located lower.

[eightyfive]

this isn't the tech section...

[kneedownnate]

this isn't the tech section...

Nope, it's project research, so his questions seem ok to me

axle over: axles on top of the leaf springs not under.

This will give you about 5.5" of DROP, not lift! 

The beauty of putting rears up front is you can dial in the exact lift you want.  You don't just automatically get 4 or 5" lift, it's all in how you set the packs up.  The chevies in the rear will be a little harder to keep the low lift though.  If you're trying to do it on the cheap, I'd look into something like downey's full length add a leaf, or look into making your own, then use a mild 1" lift block.  The rears on my 91 2wd have a very thick and long overload, which will aid a little in lifting and keep your springs from going negetive.

If you're dead set on going chevies/fords in the rear, you could always look into frenching the hangers, should help limit the lift a little.

[randito]

I've heard good things about Old Man Emu springs and lift kits.  Kinda pricey though.  Let us know what you decide and how it works, I'm interested in something similar for my '85. 

[jrock]

so to fit 33x10.5s like BF Allterrains what mild stuff could i do other than lifts.
and can you give me a link or post that shows how to make leaf packs.

this isn't the tech section...

sorry if i'm going into tech, but just doing some reaserch.

[jrock]

do you think adding an all-pro hanger and drop shackles in the front, then blocks in the back would work.

[skid]

do you think adding an all-pro hanger and drop shackles in the front, then blocks in the back would work.

Or Marlin's hanger and shackles.

Yes, that would be a cheap way while maintaining close to stock castor specs.

Keep in mind some fab skill would be required, or pay some one to install the hanger.

[jrock]

anyone done this? and will stock everthing still work, for now?

[yeshwa]

I fit 32 11.50 on my 82 when it was stock and still had a little room, no rubbing or anything.  so you could probably get away with a 1" body lift, i got one for $60 from sky manufacturing, and some extended shackles.  Currently i have a 3" pro comp lift that works fine with 33 12.50 and doesn't sit to high but it also doesn't flex well but whatevs.  good luck on your lifting quest

[yotakid88]

I think there is a 3" lift on 4wd parts web site

[jimbo74]

i would stay away from anything 4wp sells....... they are way overpriced, and dont stand behind any of their products.... their so called technicians know less than the guys that work at the local tire shops.....

[DTB]

I think there is a 3" lift on 4wd parts web site

all the lifts they sell for toyotas are crap

[FIREBALL]

BUY FROM MARLIN!!!! You get support, like this website and from employees that actually use what they sell.

[skid]

Trail -gear(bite my tongue) sells a 3", most likely needs longer shackles too.  A friend with the 5" isn't impressed.  They told him 6 month's of wheeling before the springs would s and sag.  His made it 3 months.  Might last on something that doesn't get stretch out.

Another option requiring fab work.  French in a new hanger, high than stock?  Raise the shackle tube and mod the cab mount to work.  This could take a inch or two out of lift springs.

[DTB]

They told him 6 month's of wheeling before the springs would s and sag.  His made it 3 months. 

who told him that?

[kneedownnate]

Trail -gear(bite my tongue) sells a 3"

So does all pro, and I'd much rather put food on their table, but that's just me (and probably some other people too)!  Seems like marlin sold a 3" spring when I first joined this forum, but I haven't seen any info on it in quite some time.

[skid]

who told him that?

Not sure who he talk to at Trail-gear.   But they did sell him some "heavy duty" ones now.

So does all pro, and I'd much rather put food on their table, but that's just me (and probably some other people too)!  Seems like marlin sold a 3" spring when I first joined this forum, but I haven't seen any info on it in quite some time.

All pro's 3" is a super soft rate compared to their other springs. I thought for 3000lbs buggy types. I'm guessing it wouldn't be suited well for the street on a pick up.

[DTB]

Not sure who he talk to at Trail-gear.   But they did sell him some "heavy duty" ones now.
 

well that would make sense if he had a really really heavy truck (v6/8 or exo/extra weight) sorry

[jrock]

do you think adding a Marlin hanger and drop shackles in the front, then blocks in the back would work.

anyone done this? and will stock everthing still work, for now?

[skid]

Hanger is a 1" drop, combined with a 5.5" shackle should net about 1.5" lift.  Stock steering should be fine.  Long travel wreaks havoc on J-arms.     Crossover steering's recommended for reliability and minimize bump steer.  A little more spring lift is usually need to clear crossover though. Might not even have to lengthen the front driveshaft. If the brake lines are too short,  lower the mounts on the frame. 

What are you planning to use the truck for?  Future plans?

[boggerunner]

u could call up Alcan Spring and get some 3" lift leaves and be done with it, they can make any height leaf u want.