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Old 04-03-2013, 09:58 AM   #1
Gregsenne
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Truck sits unlevel after lift

I have a 1986 K20 short bed, 35" tires, 10 bolt front and 14 bolt rear. Front has 6 inch lift springs, the back has a 6 inch lift block with half ton springs.

From the top of the front tire to the fender is 13 inches, but on the back tire, it's 8 inches. The truck is VERY unlevel, and it's VERY noticeable.

I know it will sit higher in the back if I put 3/4 ton springs on (which I'm going to), but it's not going to raise it 5 inches.
Why am I so unlevel? The truck didn't sit unlevel before I lifted it. If I lifted each end 6 inches, I'm struggling to understand why I'm 5 inches lower in the back now than in the front. (But when I lifted it I also swapped tires(33s to 35s), both axles(6 lug to 8 lug), springs and shocks. So pretty much everything under the frame was swapped when it was lifted)

Thanks,
Greg

Last edited by Gregsenne; 04-03-2013 at 10:06 AM.
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Old 04-03-2013, 03:32 PM   #2
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Re: Truck sits unlevel after lift

do you have any picture?
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Old 04-03-2013, 05:48 PM   #3
Pro Performance
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Re: Truck sits unlevel after lift

The original springs on the truck might have settled over the years, so that 6" lift spring up front is compared to a brand new stock height spring (that hasn't settled or sagged). This is why you might have seen more lift than expected, over the 6". As for the rear, you are still using that old spring, so the block gave it exactly 6" of lift.

This could be why it happened... possibly???
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Old 04-03-2013, 06:26 PM   #4
Gregsenne
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Re: Truck sits unlevel after lift

So, while looking for a picture of my truck with the lift on it, I came across a picture of it before the lift. I guess I just never noticed the rear squat before the lift.
Think this is just caused by wear on the rear spring? Just seems an awful lot to drop. They must've dropped 4 inches from factory (more if this truck had any factory rake, not sure if they did tho)

After the lift: 35's with 6 in. suspension
Name:  IMAG1602.jpg
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Before the lift: 33's with stock half ton suspension
Name:  IMAG1162.jpg
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Size:  50.1 KB
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Old 04-03-2013, 06:37 PM   #5
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Re: Truck sits unlevel after lift

Could be the possibility.... I know it happens with coil springs. I think the truck looks good after the lift, and doesn't look like it has that much rake.

It looks as though the body sits level to the ground, and the difference you are seeing is just the fender well opening difference. The front opening is a tad higher than the rear.
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Old 04-03-2013, 06:50 PM   #6
Gregsenne
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Re: Truck sits unlevel after lift

Maybe its just me. Everyone else I mention it to says they didnt even notice the unlevelness. But it bugs the crap outta me! I mean, it is 5 inches! It does look like the body is level with the ground, but I think it's just the picture. It really is noticeable in person.
Thanks guys, I'm getting 3/4 ton springs anyways, we'll see how they do!

Last edited by Gregsenne; 04-03-2013 at 06:56 PM.
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Old 04-03-2013, 06:59 PM   #7
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Re: Truck sits unlevel after lift

What are the measurements from the bottom of the body to the ground? For example, measure from the bottom of the front fender, and measure from the bedside (just in front of the wheel wheel) to the ground. Those measurements should be closer to each other.
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Old 04-04-2013, 04:37 AM   #8
andrewmp6
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Re: Truck sits unlevel after lift

Leaf springs do sag over time just like any other spring does.
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Old 04-04-2013, 10:55 AM   #9
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Re: Truck sits unlevel after lift

also, Isnt the rear fender shorter than the front fender?
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Old 04-08-2013, 10:15 AM   #10
mooseknuckles
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Re: Truck sits unlevel after lift

Quote:
Originally Posted by broey View Post
also, Isnt the rear fender shorter than the front fender?
yep...so it's prob more like 3" difference....
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