'89 4x4 wants to geht higher with 35's

[HILLBILLY]

I want to put my American Racing Vector wheels "General Lee" (8 lug have been on a 78 Chevy before. Same bolt pattern?) with 35 x 12.5 x 16.5 on my still stock single cab 4x4.

What would be the best idea? 1' or 2,5' lift kit? And which one to buy? Not a body lift of course.

I have never done it before. Any ideas are greatly welcomed. Cheers

[simplysmn]

What's the Budget? give Bill at Alcan spring a call he can point you in the right Direction.

[HILLBILLY]

Budget is here. I just do not have any clue what to do or to buy? Are there complete kits available? Of course the cheaper the better, as I have to ship it overseas also.

[CumminsPower59]

Most guys just piece something together, as you'll need front springs, shocks, steering, possibly brake lines, etc. it is possible to fit 35's with 2-3" of lift, but it's tight.

My 91 had 315/70R17's (34.5") on it for a while, I really like the way it looked, but with 3.07 gears there was a noticeable power loss due to the larger rotating mass of the tires. I prefer something in the 285/70-75 variety. Still decent looks at being a full 33" tall, but a lot less mass, as even some of the fuel mileage came back when I made the switch back down.

This is what it looked like with 315's...


This is what it looks like with 285's...bad pic....


As for your 89, if you end up going with 35" tires, they'll suck up a fair amount of power, especially with a 727 transmission in it. Another thing to consider is that running those old school "turbine wheels" (what they're called around here), you'll need to swap out lug studs, just for the safety aspect of things. Those wheels are fairly thick, and with the short 1/2" diameter factory studs, and even the special lug nuts, there may be not enough thread engagement and the truck could run the risk of going into what I call "tricycle mode". Not trying to sway you away from running 35" tires, just giving you my two cents on the matter

[HILLBILLY]

Ah OK! Thanks very much! Any opinion is greatly welcome. Brake lines I forgot... hmmm. Any other major things to do with the 2.5 lift?

I really like those old wheels to be on. Maybe 33'' would be enough. But they are actually as high as the ones I have on.

I tought I would go faster with the 35''s on the Autobahn, as I do not have an overdrive...

I have found this kit. Forgot about the shocks.... Any good ones recomanded?

http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/slf-4040

The drag link for the steering.
http://www.summitracing.com/int/search? ... cation=int

What about a 1'' lift? Does it make any sense? A buddy of mine has one for sale?? Probably not worth the work.

These are the wheels. Those are Amercian Racing "Vectors" I dig 'em for that 70's / 80's look.



That's stock now


Other wheels would be these old Ansen Mag Types I have. They worked great on the Ford.

[HILLBILLY]

Is your engine stock? And which lift do you have?

[CumminsPower59]

Way back in the day (first time I owned my truck) it was bone stock with a 727. I tried to run some 35" super swampers and while it looked bad ass, it was horrible to drive...as in those tires sucked some decent power out of it. Since then, I sold the truck, bought it back and rebuilt it. Currently, it is pretty far from stock power wise, while I haven't had it on a dyno, I would guess a fairly healthy 300hp+. I also converted it from a 727 to a NV4500, which was the best upgrade done to date. The thing will do way over 100mph in fifth gear as the 33" tires, 3.07 gears and 0.75 overdrive, it turns 1700 rpm at 65 mph. I don't know the brand of the lift on mine, but it's in the 2-3" range.

[CumminsPower59]

That adjustable drag link should work, as I am running the Skyjacker equivalent and it's been trouble free since I installed it in 2004.

Both links go to the drag link on Summit, may have to repost the one for the lift...

[HILLBILLY]

Ah yes. One link was wrong. I bought this one. Only need the right shocks now. Any recomends?

http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/sja-d200cdak

[CumminsPower59]

I run Bilstiens, but it's all personal preference.

[Tacoclaw]

For your autobahn worries, my truck with a 727, a tight convertor, 35" tires, and 3.07 rears will run right at 90 on the governor. Stock governor spring, but I've got the throttle linkage moving about as far as it possibly can.

[HILLBILLY]

Mine runs around 80 at the moment. 130 km/h. wide open. With the bigger tires it might do the same but with less rpm. On the other hand. I really want that look!