fruitstripe

So i have an 85 runner and want to start moving forward with my plans. I know that the trail gear and allpro kits are the best but i don;t have access or ability to weld. Also i cant pay a shop to install it. I want to run 33's at least. The truck is going to see 70% on road and 30 % offroad. Not looking to do any rock gardens or insane stuff just want to hit some trails with my son when he is old enough. I am looking for some input guys. I have a feeling that 4 inches is where i will need to be but let me now if i am off base.

peow130

Rears up front, and stock leaves out back with a lift block?
I know i'll get flamed for that.

The best lift is 63" chevies in the rear, with rears up front. Usually the cheapest.
You can have a welding shop weld the perches on before you take off the old leafs, too, then go home and finish the job

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

The OME springs are pretty decent for 33s. Buddy of mine did those on his '83 with a body lift (already had the body lift) and it worked well. Or check the various off the shelf 4" spring vendors, I think the Superlift soft ride are supposed to be fairly decent. Look for a kit with springs all around (no rear blocks) and the shocks and other parts you'll need.

ant27

i had the rancho 3.5 on my old 83 and loved it. i could run 33s ez and my 34 tsl did good to.

ant27

i also made the front shock hanger higher for longer shocks and moved the rear ones off the ublots to the axel and tilted in twords the center of the bed. other then that all bolt on

Land Pirates Off Roa

If you have the money and the time, have custom Alcan Springs made. While a bit more than the off the self units, they are worth EVERY penny. You will love them and they will not let you down. Add in greasable Old Man Emu shackles and your set besides for shocks. =-)

rokblok

iTrader: (1)

I have a 4"-ish lift on my '84 pickup. I was told it was a Rancho. Front springs, rear blocks. Its a bit stiff, but not a total kidney killer. I drive it sometimes 300+ miles a day and it doesnt make me hate it. It just feels like a 4wd truck to me.... I've ridden in Cruisers and Ford Hi-boys and Chevy 4wds that were ALOT stiffer than mine... Only thing I would change, on a budget, would be shocks. I've got some off-brand on there now, but I am changing to the Bilsteins soon.

And a definite recommendation, get the Trailgear Hysteer. The factory push/pull setup on a 4" lifted truck is just dangerous.... Its a bit of a budget stretcher, but MUCH SAFER..... And the components(tie rods, tie rod ends) are super beefy. Its a must for a lifted, factory solid axle, in my opinion...

Land Pirates Off Roa

Oh yeah... High steer can not be praised enough. The difference is night and day. Bilsteins are a great shock so are the Old Man Emu "light" valved ones.

runs-on-4

iTrader: (1)

if your looking a for a cheap lift pro comp makes front lift springs 3to 5 inches. 50 bucks each for the front and i think 100 each for the rear. i would get 3 inch front lift springs and do blocks in the rear. i havr the 4 inch pro comp and my steering is terrible but i cant afford a hysteer right now

6th Gear

iTrader: (3)

I've got 4" Pro Comp on my 85 and it rides a little stiff but still feels fine on road and still corners great. Pretty decent flex offroad too!

fruitstripe

thanks guys i think i am leaning tword the procomp kit and doing a trail gear high steer kit. i will see how it does and then regear it as nessisary

EFI85

I just installed a procomp lift 3 days ago and I have to say I am pretty impressed !! I went from the stock springs with some extended shackles to a 3" procomp kit including shocks and kept the extended shackles and its night and day the ride is better and they flex pretty darn good . I even tried to flex it enough to see if im going to have a drive line issue and everything seems just perfect . Im so excited now i cant wait to get the motor rebuilt and the gears and locker !! I dont rock crawl but i do climb around on the pretty awesome drt trails and im suoer excited to get it finished now . the lift was just the kick in the pants i needed !!

6th Gear

iTrader: (3)

Here's a new flex pic from last weekend. This is 4" pro comp kit maxed out:

rosludos

6th Gear that's a sick ride!

jswizz

Yeah that is a sick ride 6th gear . Makes we want to ask Santa for a 4inch lift with high steer !!
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85 sr5 33x12x50 new moog tie rod ends and bearings in front . leveled in the back

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

High steer is SOOOOOOO much better than the push pull old steering. No comparison.

:wabbit2:

interested2meet

nice thing abut the procomp kit too is you get brake lines, sway bar extenstions, steering correction pieces, all the little knick-knack parts you seem to always end up rushing all over town for on sunday afternoon, lol

jswizz

Yeah that all sounds nice and good ,now . before people on here were like did you see that feed ,blog go look at it etc... and any way this sounds like the one I would like for $600.00 but already been sinking Quid into this beast . So for now this sounds like good info and put it on the list . Just put new tierods on and its still the wondering prob. cuz that push pull steering and other ball joints ? FINALLY JUST PUT HER IN 4 WHEEL. It was nice went to the dunes and went on some cool stuff, saw a totaly killer caged locked 4runner also . it was BADD!