Pros and Cons of lift kits

[Adams74Chevy]

As the title says what are the pros and cons to lift kits. The '73 I bought came with a 4" Rough Country lift kit sitting on the seat the p.o. bought and only installed the larger rear springs and the bushings. So I am debating if I should finish the install or put the original rear springs (which I have) back on the truck. Overall the truck will spend most of it's time on the road hauling, going to work in the snow when needed with the possiblity of being driven around in fields to help herd the in-laws p.i.a. cows back in the pasture and to retrieve deer during hunting season, not any "extreme" off-roading I don't have the spare $ to fix stuff broken from such adventures as fun as I know it could be .

Reasons I see to put the stock rear springs back on are: I'm 5'7"ish so adding more elevation to my truck would make getting in and out and using the bed a little bit more of a pain. Also, I don't have the $ to get larger tires to make it look good for a while so the stockish size would be on for a while. I've read that Rough Country lift kits are not the smoothest ride either, and since it's a K20 I know it will never ride like a car but don't want to feel like I'm on a log wagon either.

After typing this out I guess it's more of a talk me into finishing the lift kit instead of taking it off and selling it for a few bucks.


As you see from the pic it's a bit raked right now and I just don't know which is the way to go...up in the front or back down to stock.

[Altec]

Take it out, and sell it. Even factory you can stuff some bigger tires on it.

But, if you decide you want a lift, and want to keep from needing a kidney belt it is possible. And it will be cheaper then a lift kit...

[special-K]

The truck will look fine with stock size tires and 4" lift. It'll just look like a healthy stock work horse.

[MTCK]

If you put the stock springs back on, look at them really carefully and make sure the don't have a bunch of broken leafs. I'd run it with the lift and those tires, then grab a set of 255/85R16's on stock wheels when you wear out those shoes. I love the look of a slightly taller than stock 3/4 ton on some tall skinny's.

[mustardjimmy71]

do u have a drop pitman arm?

[special-K]

Originally Posted by mustardjimmy71

do u have a drop pitman arm?

You must mean steering arm,the part that bolts to the top of the knuckle and connect to the drag link. Good question. I'd assume if the previous owner knew what he was doing he got one. If it was a complete kit one should have been included. I know Tuff Country includes them.

I agree about the 255/85s on stock wheels. That's what I was thinking. They ain't cheap but neither are the stock size 235/85s(or any dang tire anymore). You can run across the stock size used and they'd do if you can't get the 255s. Either way you stay with the wheels you have.
And,it's fun hopping up!

[Altec]

For a work truck, why bother with a lift? Since he is a smaller guy, uses the truck for farm, and street use it would be more useful stock height. Easier access to the bed.

You can still fit a 31 at stock height without trying.

Or leave it raked out and get some mopar stickers. Haha.

[Adams74Chevy]

I took a look at what is on it currently and they are LT265/75R16 Sport King A/T tires. I would like to eventually get something similar to what is on my '74 (minus the dry rotting) they're 7.50-16LT Traction King Tires they're a bit more aggressive, look to be slightly skinnier and are on split rims and the '74 went anywhere you pointed it. I'll have to dig out the lift kit box and see what is included I don't remember if it comes with the steering arm, I do remember the po said everything needed was in there...and we know how po's can exagerate to sell their stuff.

[nikwho]

My '83 has a 5" lift with 285/70-17's on it. Not a very big tire for the size of lift. Some days I want to go buy 35's. Other days I want to stay with the same tire size and drop down to a 3" ish lift. I have heard for a long time that a 4" lift is the threshold for not needing to lengthen your driveshafts. My drive shafts are not lengthened but need to be addressed. Thats why im thinking of going down an inch or two. Plus, it rides like a sherman tank as it is now! I cuss as I spill my coffee on myself or all over my dash too frequently!

[nikwho]

I think that you should just finish up installing the lift. Especially since it'll be your hunting truck and its a longbed. That will help significantly with your ground clearance/breakover angle.