cars-guy

So I have an 82 short bed and I'm looking to upgrade tires. Im really looking to keep the truck looking classic and as close to stock as i can get. I was lucky enouph to be able to test fit a set of 33s but the truck is bone stock and because the front leafs have collapsed about 2 inches, the front rubs occasionally. the 33s look a little cartoonish with the truck on a stock lift. I really would like 31s but I'm worried if i lift the front 3-4" (the two its lost over the years + 3-4) would the 31s look to small? also what would be the best way to go about lifting it? id like to be able to have just an all around truck. something i can do some desert runs in, take to the dunes, and maybe some light crawling, all the while spending the least amount of cash

kawazx636

iTrader: (3)

On my 83 shortbed I have Old Man Emu front and rear springs, Bilstein 5125 shocks and Trail Gear shackles. The OME springs supposedly provide 2" of lift but from the pictures I have seen of original stock height Pickups I'm thinking that the springs may be closer to 3" of actual lift. I originally went with 5.5" Trail Gear Shackles, but it seemed a little high for 31" tires (I was in the same boat as you - I wanted it to look like the tires belonged on the truck). Stock shackle length is 3.5" so 5.5" shackles would yield about 1" of actual lift. To drop it down and level the truck a bit I modified the Trail Gear shackles to 4" in the rear and 4.5" in the front.

To further complicate the equation, I went with Bilstein 5125 shocks. Since they are a pressurized gas shock, they want to rebound and "rest" at full extension as opposed to hydraulic shocks which will rest at any point in their travel and act as a dampener. Given this fact, the Bilsteins I used actually add a slight lift to the suspension as they push upward on the truck. I have removed the shocks and discovered that the shocks that I used account for just under 1/2" of lift at rest.

So all that being said (assuming the OME specs of 2" for the springs), I have about 3" of total lift in the front and 2.75" of total lift in the rear. But like I said, I think the OME springs are closer to 3" of lift so I typically tell people that I have 3" to 4" in the front and 2.75" to 3.75" in the rear. Springs, shackles and shocks were collectively well under $1,000 shipped. I shopped it out a bit for good deals, but that's pretty cheap for a complete quality suspension.

I run 31x10.5 Faulken Wildpeak A/T tires on 15"x8" Ion aluminum wheels and I think the height is rather appropriate for the tires. If anything, I could could drop down to stock length shackles or hydro shocks and be a little better. Pictures are below - you can be the judge.

As far as ride comfort goes, there aren't any better riding bolt-on stock length springs out there. My truck rides great on and off road. Again, if I wanted to soften it up a bit, I could always switch over to hydro shocks and lose some of the stiffness that that gas shocks provide.

cars-guy

That truck looks amazing #lifegoals, anyways I went to omes website and they don't have any truck listed before 91 or something. I think ill keep the stock shackles and just get the 3" leafs, but which ones did you get? also what would you recommend to be the best value for a regular oil shock?

kawazx636

iTrader: (3)

Thanks! Here are the part numbers for the Old Man Emu springs - just Google the part numbers and order the best deal. I got mine for about $100 each with free shipping, but that company isn't selling them anymore.

Front Passenger: CS008FB
Front Driver: CS008FA
Rears: CS009R

For the shocks, I don't really have much info on what hydro shocks are good, but here are the part numbers and specks for my 5125 Bilsteins:

Front: #24-185684 (Collapsed 12.87" / Extended 20.49" / Travel 7.62")
Rear: #33-186542 (Collapsed 15.12" / Extended 24.31" / Travel 9.19")

You should be able to take those specs and find the proper length and travel in a hydro shock.

cars-guy

So I actually already bought two of the CS008FBs after looking at your build thread. I ordered them yesterday from 4 wheel parts and picked them up today. Paid 86 bucks each so that worked out. But my question is when I was ordering them they said the CS008FBs were for the Hilux model and As were for the American model. The As would've taken longer to get here so I went with the Bs assuming they were the same truck. Is there any difference between them?

kawazx636

iTrader: (3)

They don't know what they are talking about - I have learned to never trust a parts store; especially when it come to these trucks. The front springs are different to accommodate the taller spring perch on the passenger side of the front axle. It's no big deal if you got the same for each side, but you may have to shim the the driver's side up a bit to level the ride height.