advise how to proper lift this 86 truck
Dec 10, 2008 | 06:34 PM
#1
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advise how to proper lift this 86 truck
Basically, I have a 86 Toy pickup sr5. The first thing I want to do is get rid of the ifs and go with a 85 solid axle. I want to custom lift this truck by avoiding the add on kits you now day see here and there online. Need tips, how to and advise from the Pro....recently lost my uncle who knows everything so now I'm turning to you gals and guys. I want a custom lift this truck roughly about 11inches to remember my uncle...please advise on what to do and not what to do. thank you for your cooperation. Willing to learn from scratch. 
Dec 10, 2008 | 06:48 PM
#2
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From: maple ridge, British Columbia, Canada
Okay, since you know what you want and want just that.
Here is a way to do it:
Stay with IFS...
-Start with a 4-5" bracket (suspension) lift (new rear leaf springs please, no blocks).
-Then add a 1.5" balljoint spacer up front, and a longer rear shackle (3" longer then stock for 1.5" of rear lift)
- Then throw on a 3" body lift.
In total, you will have about 9-10" of lift over stock, plus the tires (36's would be nice, don't forget to re-gear once you get big tires!).
You could do a Solid axle swap:
This will allow you to get that 11" of lift if you really want it. Will probibly come out a little more expensive then the IFS route though...
And it requires welding new brackets to the frame for the suspension. Not for the new wrenchers, whereas the IFS stuff is pretty much bolt on... aside from a few things that need to be cut/trimmed..
Here is a way to do it:
Stay with IFS...
-Start with a 4-5" bracket (suspension) lift (new rear leaf springs please, no blocks).
-Then add a 1.5" balljoint spacer up front, and a longer rear shackle (3" longer then stock for 1.5" of rear lift)
- Then throw on a 3" body lift.
In total, you will have about 9-10" of lift over stock, plus the tires (36's would be nice, don't forget to re-gear once you get big tires!).
You could do a Solid axle swap:
This will allow you to get that 11" of lift if you really want it. Will probibly come out a little more expensive then the IFS route though...
And it requires welding new brackets to the frame for the suspension. Not for the new wrenchers, whereas the IFS stuff is pretty much bolt on... aside from a few things that need to be cut/trimmed..
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Dec 14, 2008 | 03:35 PM
#8
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thanks for all you guys who respond back to my post. I will take the advise and search on this site for more information. I'm from NORCAL.
okay....guys....I just picked up a sas....now what should I do.....get the conversion kit on line or custom my own? what should I do for the rear???? my guess was get a set of chevy 1500 leaf spring with 3" block and 3 or 6in shackles......what can i do to my the front and rear even with this plan or if you guys have a plan b for me.....please advise.
okay....guys....I just picked up a sas....now what should I do.....get the conversion kit on line or custom my own? what should I do for the rear???? my guess was get a set of chevy 1500 leaf spring with 3" block and 3 or 6in shackles......what can i do to my the front and rear even with this plan or if you guys have a plan b for me.....please advise.
Last edited by defiant0116; Dec 14, 2008 at 03:46 PM.
Dec 15, 2008 | 03:22 PM
#11
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thank brother...I just picked up a 85 sas......is it better to buy a kit for the frontend or custom your own......I know what I want for the rear already....no blocks......chevy 1500 1/2 rear leaf springs with hmmm 6 inch rear shackles.....the front is what I'm stuck on and lost.....give me advise if i'm wrong.....new to this hobby....
Dec 15, 2008 | 03:35 PM
#17
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Salem, OR
honestly it depends on what your doing. Do you want a DD with really weak (flexy) springs...or do you want it to be stiff and have no body roll? If it was me and I just wanted to jack it up, I'd probably look for some chevy leafs that were for a lifted truck. Then again, I really don't know.
Dec 15, 2008 | 03:45 PM
#18
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honestly....I do not know what I am doing because I'm new into this hobby.....I was into Honda's and go tired of getting harass by cops...go rid of it and pick this sexy girl up.....what I want is to be able to clear the harsh rubicon trail and creek runs.....not too flexy.....just enought to have fun hunting, going on trail, creek runs and look good.....I do appreciate you for giving me advise on what not do to.....I know earlier on this post I want a 11 inch lift and people think I'm retarded but that's what uncle had before he committed suicide....now all I want is sometime good to remember him off....if he was still alive, I would not be here asking dumb questions.....sorry for the long story....thanks again......
Dec 15, 2008 | 03:52 PM
#19
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let me ask you this dumb question...why no blocks??? is because of flex or what????
Okay, since you know what you want and want just that.
Here is a way to do it:
Stay with IFS...
-Start with a 4-5" bracket (suspension) lift (new rear leaf springs please, no blocks).
-Then add a 1.5" balljoint spacer up front, and a longer rear shackle (3" longer then stock for 1.5" of rear lift)
- Then throw on a 3" body lift.
In total, you will have about 9-10" of lift over stock, plus the tires (36's would be nice, don't forget to re-gear once you get big tires!).
You could do a Solid axle swap:
This will allow you to get that 11" of lift if you really want it. Will probibly come out a little more expensive then the IFS route though...
And it requires welding new brackets to the frame for the suspension. Not for the new wrenchers, whereas the IFS stuff is pretty much bolt on... aside from a few things that need to be cut/trimmed..
Here is a way to do it:
Stay with IFS...
-Start with a 4-5" bracket (suspension) lift (new rear leaf springs please, no blocks).
-Then add a 1.5" balljoint spacer up front, and a longer rear shackle (3" longer then stock for 1.5" of rear lift)
- Then throw on a 3" body lift.
In total, you will have about 9-10" of lift over stock, plus the tires (36's would be nice, don't forget to re-gear once you get big tires!).
You could do a Solid axle swap:
This will allow you to get that 11" of lift if you really want it. Will probibly come out a little more expensive then the IFS route though...
And it requires welding new brackets to the frame for the suspension. Not for the new wrenchers, whereas the IFS stuff is pretty much bolt on... aside from a few things that need to be cut/trimmed..
Dec 15, 2008 | 04:38 PM
#20
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,805
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From: Salem, OR
honestly....I do not know what I am doing because I'm new into this hobby.....I was into Honda's and go tired of getting harass by cops...go rid of it and pick this sexy girl up.....what I want is to be able to clear the harsh rubicon trail and creek runs.....not too flexy.....just enought to have fun hunting, going on trail, creek runs and look good.....I do appreciate you for giving me advise on what not do to.....I know earlier on this post I want a 11 inch lift and people think I'm retarded but that's what uncle had before he committed suicide....now all I want is sometime good to remember him off....if he was still alive, I would not be here asking dumb questions.....sorry for the long story....thanks again......
I'm glad to help, but just got my first 4x4 toyota a couple weeks ago...and am researching this kind of stuff too.
Anyway, why you don't use blocks is because of extreme axle wrap. It puts A LOT of stress on your axle and leafs. We don't suggest using it...unless it is like a 1" block. I personally have two 4" blocks on the rear of my truck and am wanting to get rid of them ASAP! lol
