73-87 lift...which one...

[Davidmichael]

I am picking up a 1/2 ton 86 suburban for the woods. Now my question is this:

What lift is the best for flexing?

I want to go with a 4" but will go up to 6" if there is a better lift. All the lifts I see really only talk about ride quality. I could care less about ride quality. I just want a lift that's actually good off road and can flex. Also I will be putting 1 tons on it and an exo cage in the future if that makes a difference for weight to you guys. And yes I will be hacking the sheet metal to fit bigger meats.

[Altec]

Well, for kits your best bet is simply the softest one. A softer spring is going to flex better then a stiff one.

Are you skilled at all with a bit of fab work? If so, you might want to consider another route. A 52" spring conversion in the front, and a shackle flip in the rear. both will give you roughly 4" of lift, and allow you to carry one spare leaf pack that'll work on all the corners. If that sounds like something you'd be interested in, I'll dig around for more info.

[Davidmichael]

Any info you come across would be appreciated. In the long run that's what I want to do. But for now this is a low buck build and just want something that I can slap on it and run.

[Altec]

Well, I can pretty much only tell you how I'd do things.

If I wanted to stick to a off the shelf kit I'd most likely try to find a good deal on a 6" all spring lift kit. Then start by taking a single spring out of each pack to soften them up, and go from there. Either adding a Zero-Rate if extra clearance is needed.

You'll also need to look into your steering. At the very least a raised steering arm (See my build thread in Sig, just bolted mine on.).

Or more properly a crossover steering conversion. Which will require that you find steering knuckles, along with a 2WD steering box. This is a bit of work though. May want to consider it as a future project, and just bite the bullet on a steering arm to get you by.


Now, if it was mine, I'd strongly consider, and compare the price of the lift kit, compared to the brackets, and hardware to do a shackle flip, B52 conversion. So if this is the route you decide you want to go, you'll need the brackets, a set of stock 52" springs, and the normal stuff like shocks.

Install is fairly simple. The worst part is getting the old rivets off for the factory hangers. The only thing I'd really want to watch is the back. I've noticed a lot of people seem to end up with funny shackle angle on the flip. What I would do it simply not fully bolt down the new hangers at first. If the shackle angle is no good, it should be a simple matter of measuring how far you need to move to get a proper angle, pull the hanger back off and drill new holes.

Zero-Rate
http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/Zero%20Rates.htm

B52
http://diy4x.com/cart/index.php?rout...product_id=121

Shackle-Flip
http://diy4x.com/cart/index.php?rout...product_id=125

Steering Arm
http://www.jcwhitney.com/drop-down-s...uestid=1744394

B52 Install
http://diy4x.com/tips/B52.html

Shackle Flip Install
http://www.planet4x4.net/forums/shackleflip.php

General Steering Information
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...ngresearch.htm

I'll let you handle the shocks, and such. Some other things that may need to be looked into are lengthened brake lines (More for the front droop), drive shaft angles (Shouldn't be a problem), and longer shocks which I suggest doing your own measuring for.

Sure I'm forgetting something...

[Psycho71]

I just did the shackle flip from DIY4X on my burb this weekend. Like stated above, grinding the old rivets off kinda sucked, but overall the hardest part was reinstalling the freaking fuel tank. Got a solid 4" lift in the rear. The shocks the were on it would not extend far enough, I knew I'd need new shocks anyway, just wanted to get the flip done so i could measure for them. Without the shocks, I can bounce on the rear of my 3/4 ton burb and get lots of movement. So that tells me it'll flex a bit. Probably plenty for my needs.

I'd do the flip kit again if needed. It even helps correct the pinion angle issues that might show up from just slapping a set of springs under one.

Mine already had the lift under the front when i got it, so no advice there.

[Davidmichael]

Ok seems like the B-52 seems like it's a no brainer. Thanks for all the great information. Now with the rear shackle kit, does it move the center line of the axle compared to the fender? I have been looking at pictures and some seem like the axle is moved forward a couple inches. To me it seems like it would move the axle forward some. Only raising the rear of the leave and keeping the stock mount for the front? AM I correct on this?

[Psycho71]

I didn't actually measure mine. I thought I might notice more of a change than i actually did. But mine didn't move forward more than an inch or so, if that. I suppose the longer the shackle, the more it would be exaggerated, I went with the 4.5" shackles.

[b454rat]

If you do a shackle flip, it will move the axle forward in the wheel well. A zero can put it back.

You don't need to buy the B52 kit to run 52" up front. You need to move the front mount forward.

This is a pretty good article.

http://coloradok5.com/52inchspringswap.shtml

[Altec]

Originally Posted by Davidmichael

Ok seems like the B-52 seems like it's a no brainer. Thanks for all the great information. Yep! Now with the rear shackle kit, does it move the center line of the axle compared to the fender? I have been looking at pictures and some seem like the axle is moved forward a couple inches. To me it seems like it would move the axle forward some. Only raising the rear of the leave and keeping the stock mount for the front? AM I correct on this? You are correct. Like Psycho said it depends on the shackles, and the arch of the spring. Like Rat said, a Zero rate can move things back if you need. Just remember it is gonna give you a inch of lift while doing it.

Orange text.

[Davidmichael]

Now why the 2WD steering box?

[Altec]

Originally Posted by Davidmichael

Now why the 2WD steering box?

The factory 4WD steering box moves in a front-to-back motion. The crossover steering uses a side-to-side motion like a 2WD steering box.

[Davidmichael]

well damn I had no idea. I never really messed with the steering boxes other than just replacing them.

[Davidmichael]

OK so far I picked up some 1 tons with a 2wd box ported w/lines and the hydro assist. It also has crossover steering installed already. Now I had another question about the B52. What size shackle did you guys run?

[Mkcustums]

Originally Posted by Davidmichael

Now I had another question about the B52. What size shackle did you guys run?

It kinda depends on what leafs you decide to run, total length plays a part.

[Mkcustums]

Quick spring guide-
http://littlekeylime.com/MrN/mrnimages/leaf_springs.png

And this build might help you out as well... Lots of info in his build.
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=233479

[Davidmichael]

Thanks Mkcustums. That's what I am looking for.

[Mkcustums]

No problem! If you Youtube "Skull Crusher Blazer" and/or "DIY4X" he has done everything you are doing to your Suburban, and it's vids instead of just pics. Does the spring swap, B52 install, one tons, hydro assist, shackle reversal, and front and rear DIY4X shackles too. plus more...

YouTube - B-52 INSTALL DIY4X.COM