150frider

Hey, i recently got a 85 pickup...My front springs are shot and instead of just replacing them i want to just go ahead and lift it. What will be the cheapest and easiest way to do this?I was thinking about just buying the 3'' kit from 4wheelparts.
Or should i just buy all new springs?
I am totally lost on what to do.
3'' is as high as i want to go. And its sitting a little unlevel right now so I want to pick the front up a little bit.
Thanks

Ultimate

Check out OME they have nice springs. I personally wouldn't do skyjacker, superlift, etc.

murdarunna19

i agree with Ultimate. i would check out toytec and yes Old Man Emu has good coils and what not. but it all depends how much you want to spend.

Ultimate

Also if you want to something more extreme you could do rears up front and chevy 63's in the back. This requires moving spring hangers, shackle hangers, etc. If your looking for more flex cheap, this is the way to do it. Do some searching and you will find tons of information.

Ultimate

Try this link it's for pick up and 4runner

http://www.rocky-road.com/4runner.html

150frider

OME is out of my price range...
I would like a simple bolt on kit but whatever is easiest...
And with a 3'' lift would i have to extend anyhing?(brake lines,driveline, etc)?
How about a shackle lift?

wheeler771

just got done doing the rears up front and 63 chevys... flexes better and rides better then any of the yota i have ever been in... just a little fab work but not too bad if your close to indy you can check mine out or just look at the pics stuffin 35x15.50 all day long ended up about 5 or so taller than stock.

Ultimate

Shackle lifts are ok. I would do springs and shackles. My 85 4runner had a 6" lift with springs and shackles when I bought it and it didn't have lengthend brakelines, driveshaft, etc. If your planning on doing something with alot of flex you will want to extend them. When I went with the all pro lift I had to extend brakelines and driveshafts.

wheeler771

oh and i have 300 bucks in the entire setup....

eddies85pu

Which particular vehicles do you get the 63 chevy springs out of?

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Search and you'll find lots of information. Or reach the Chevy Spring FAQ:
- http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20665

eddies85pu

Thanks for the great link

oldgold3vze

The 63" chevy springs require new hangers that you have to fabricate, they have to be welded on, you will need new, longer shackles, slightly wider u-bolts, and of course, longer shocks, also, the rear shackle hangers have to be moved back about 4". For the rears up front you should build a drop hanger to correct your pinion angle, the axle gets moved 2" forward (depending on your particular drop hanger design), and your shock hoops no longer line up, so new shock hoops have to be welded on, and stock steering won't line up, so crossover steering has to be added. Realistically, it's close to a grand, plus a full welding shop to do the work in. Sounds to me like a more generic, procomp, skycrapper, etc. type of lift is more for you. One that can be bolted on with only simple hand tools and basic knowledge of how to use them.

wheeler771

well i didnt have a grand in the set up and it works just fine flipped and shortened my steering didnt have to do high steer but would have been nice... shocks were 125.00 at 4 wheel parts ( procomp) and the pinion angle i shimmed to make it good... i bought chevy 2 inch drop shackles wich evened out . no welding shop was needed just a 110 lincoln welder did the job crank the heat... check out skymanufacturing they sell all the brackets and new hangers you will need i did the double shackle setup in the rear as long as your not bobbed too much it works good.... just depends on what your mechanicle knowlege is... like i said if you need pics or measurements let me know....

wheeler771

oh and the chevy springs were 30 bucks at local pick-a-part out of a 1/2 ton up to 98 find one without the factory tow package..... less leafs that why.

wheeler771

oh and if you ever come out to indy yuengling goes great with wheeling cant get it here unless you pay 12 bucks for a sixer.....sucks

150frider

The chevy spring conversion sounds way too complicated, time consuming, and expensive for what i want.
I think I will just go with one of the kits from 4wheelparts or something...since the kit comes with new front springs...
Anything else I should know/need to do when lifting?
Should I look into wheel spacers as well?

oldgold3vze

Good call. I wouldn't weld anything structural with only a 110, the whole truck rides on the spring hangers, and that machine just can't put out the power for something like that. And if this is your first time working on a truck the bolt-on option is definitely gonna be a good starter project. No wheel spacers will be needed, unless you're gonna run some kind of crazy wide tire. Be careful running a tire over 33" on the stock 4.10 gears or you'll have no power off the line, and you'll burn through clutches.