1972 3/4 4wd leave stock or lift?

[matt_field]

Hey guys, ive got a 4wd that i put together for a fun truck to use. Ive been thinking on lifting it 2.5 or 4".. or leave it stock. It has the stock wheels with 285/75/16 tires. Anyone have any pics of a 4wd with that size tire and a lift? or would you guys recommend leaving it alone. thanks!

Matt

[mrich550]

depending on how extreme you plan on using, i would keep it stock. i had a72 k20 that was already pretty high up. we nick named it warhorse b/c it went almost anywhere. good luck & have fun

[matt_field]

Its gonna stay on the road most of the time, it does sit pretty nice. They are such fun trucks!

[1972RedNeck]

Is lifting it going to increase functionality? If so, lift it. (I don't see how it would affect functionality, the first thing to drag is usually the differentials)

Do you want it to handle good? If so, leave it stock.

Do you want it to tow good? If so, leave it stock.

Does any body have any reasons, besides looks, to lift one of our trucks?


I almost forgot,

[72longbed]

Matt, if you decide to lift it ... I have a pair of Tuff Country 4" E-Z Ride rear leaf springs I'll give you a great deal on. They have very low miles on them and are in excellent shape.

That tire size is the exact size I run on my truck now.

Thanks,

72longbed

[mrich550]

the diffs are going to drag on some instances but you can build small skid plate for the diffs

[GMCJOE]

I am a good ole' country boy and like my lifted trucks and use them for there intended purpose when I do have one in the driveway. My last sat on 12" suspension lift and 3" body lift with 44" tires. It was fun, got around awesome, and the neighborhood kids called it a monster truck...lol

The way I see it, if you are going for looks and mobility. Do a 4" lift on it, it will still ride and drive fine. And it will let you get out and play a little more if you choose to do so with some 33" tires or 35's if they will fit with a 4" lift.

2" isn't going to give much of an appearance change IMO. It will just allow a little larger of a tire.

Diff clearance is what it is about when getting out and having fun.

[CG]

My K20 was stock with a similar size tire. I used it as a truck, no crazy offroad stuff. I had to put it in 4 wheel once in a while. I think if you are going to do stuff that gets you bouncing around pretty good you are going to need a lift.

My K10 had basically the same size tire also and it had a 2.5 inch lift. Rode fine and wasnt too tall to actually use the truck as a truck. Easy to load stuff in and out of.

[Hoffa]

4" with 255/85 16's

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[Hoffa]

Another of the same pickp with 4" & 35x12.50 16.5's
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[mjensen]

Hoffa, that's a great looking truck there. I really like it's stance.

Personally, I'm going with the 4" lift. I haven't figured out which tire size yet as I'm probably years from that stage LOL

[Hoffa]

Thanks! Post #9 is the current configuration. Those should be about the same size tires Matt was asking about putting on his only a little thinner.

IMHO, the 35's were a little to big on the front.
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[matt_field]

I love that stance! I'll have to get some pics of the truck how it sits

Thanks!

Matt
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[mjensen]

I do like the looks of post 9 better. I may use that size on mine. Thanks!

[Hoffa]

You bet. Thin always wins in my Book.
Glad it was helpful.
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[special-K]

4" lift with taller/not so wide tires doesn't look too far from stock. I'm talking 285/75 or 255/85s. 2-3" looks stock but beefy stock. Next to a stock truck it would appear to just be heavy duty...healthier. These tires look excellent on the late Ford 7" hubcap wheels

[72longbed]

Mr. Hoffa,
Great looking truck!! Got a question for you about your rear bumper. Is that a custom bumper or what? Can you take a pic or two of it from behind and side for us?

Thanks,

72longbed

[Joesjunk]

Here is my 71 K/20, I had the springs redone and it sits about 1 1/2" taller than stock. It has 285/75/16 tires on it

[72supermike]

i like the stock height truck. it still sits up higher than those lame 2wd trucks The cheyenne is a 3/4 and the blue one is a 1/2 ton. The blue truck has a 4" lift with about a 32-33 on it. the cheyenne is stock. the tires on the stock rims are 255/85R16 and the aluminum wheels are 265/70R17.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by Joesjunk

Here is my 72 K/20, I had the springs redone and it sits about 1 1/2" taller than stock. It has 285/75/16 tires on it

For me - THAT is about the perfect ride height for a K20. And it's a gorgeous truck to boot.

[Hoffa]

Originally Posted by 72longbed

Mr. Hoffa,
Great looking truck!! Got a question for you about your rear bumper. Is that a custom bumper or what? Can you take a pic or two of it from behind and side for us?

Thanks,

72longbed

Thanks for the kind words. The bumper is a stock rear bumper that came off a 68 SWB 2wd. It was given to me by a guy that swapped it out in favor of a sport bumper. I ran it on my 2wd until I did the same. I liked it because it has diamond plate that tied in with my front bumper and it didn't bolt to the lower rear quarter panels like some do.
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[matt_field]

Here is a pic as it sits, its a little low in the rear. Its all original paint, been a North dakota truck its whole life, So its pretty clean.

Matt

[69GWC]

If your going to use it for a truck IMO anything over 4" makes it to hard to load anything in the bed.
I have a 2.5" ans 33s and think its about perfect height.
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[Sicklajoie]

Originally Posted by matt_field

Here is a pic as it sits, its a little low in the rear. Its all original paint, been a North dakota truck its whole life, So its pretty clean.

Matt

Great looking truck!
If it were mine I would just raise the ass end to level it out.

[matt_field]

Kinda what i was thinking too.. get the rear up in the air, level it out and it will probably look nice.

Matt