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Chevy 8" lift

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4.2K views 44 replies 6 participants last post by  ChevyK20  
1
#1 ·
Chevy 8\" lift

I want to put an 8 inch lift on my k20, and i want to find out how realistic is this for a daily driver? Its a long bed, so rear driveshaft angle does not concern me, but the front one does. I am going to be locating the front axle an inch and a half farther forward w/ offroad design add a leaves to get enough length, and tire/ fender clearance.
My plan for the lift is to have something that rides good, that flexs, and can still haul a$$ down some fire tracks etc. A basic all around truck. So to get the best of both worlds (lift height and comfort/ performance) this is what i plan to do:
Rear:
4" Shackle flip
4" Tuff Country springs

Front:
6" Tuff Country springs
1" Hill Lift shackles
1" Add a leaves

For shocks im going to run 14" travel bilstein 5150 shocks, and use ford f250 shock towers to mount them.

I figured by using shorter springs id get a better ride, articulation, and still have the height i wanted. What do you guys think? Does it sound good, or am i going to be kicking my self in the but cause my truck has turned into one big vibrator?

Thanks alot guys!
 
9
#27 ·
Re: Chevy 8\" lift

[ QUOTE ]
I think the worst was pulling the bobcat around and having the bucket act like a bullhorn blowing the sound back at the truck.

[/ QUOTE ]

For some reason I can see that happening to you Xjer! HAHAHA That's too funny!

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#28 ·
Re: Chevy 8\" lift

[ QUOTE ]

Here in Tx, and in a lot of places (if not all), it would not be legal to run the exhuast in the Blazer like that. All SUV's that a rear window that can be opened have to have side exit exhuast. This is to prevent it from being sucked into the passenger compartment.

As for me... I like mine wherever it's out of the way. Looks won't get me over that next rock..
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[/ QUOTE ]

Welp, I think the only thing I hate about the back window is that the fumes to come into the compartment even with the piple out the side. I used to have a '84 Blazer back a while ago that had like a air deflector on the rear of the removeable HT and it did wonders for keeping exhaust out. Here in AZ the only thing they have for laws is Headlight height and Mudflaps. You can build them however otherwise.

It's kinda sweet and kinda a pain in the same token...

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#29 ·
Re: Chevy 8\" lift

I never have any exhaust smell in my 89, or in my old 84, with the rear window down and they are/were side exit. I would bet money that Arizona has a law that states that SUV's cannot have a rear exit exhaust. Headlights & mudflaps are more geared toward lifted vehicles.. the exhaust law is for all vehicles, not just lifted 4x4's. Some exhaust may get in with a side exit, but with a rear, all will get in if the window is down... enough to make you sick, or kill if driven long enough.
 
2
#30 ·
Re: Chevy 8\" lift

I can Fix that problem drive faster. no just jokeing but anyway you guys should just do it like we do in Idaho and run with out exaust you just have to make sure you can drive faster than the cops but we make midnight runs like that all the time and the cops try to chase but they can't it is great fun. Ever seen a patrol car go through a sand pit.HAHA It was quite fun to watch then i ended up pulling them out there was 4 in all It was a hell of a night.
 
9
#31 ·
Re: Chevy 8\" lift

[ QUOTE ]
I would bet money that Arizona has a law that states that SUV's cannot have a rear exit exhaust. Headlights & mudflaps are more geared toward lifted vehicles.. the exhaust law is for all vehicles, not just lifted 4x4's.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have actually seen many vehicles around town with the rear exit exhaust, regardless of type of vehicle. Whether it is illegal or not I am not sure. Anywho, just my two cents!
 
1
#32 ·
Re: Chevy 8\" lift

In ct i know its not against the law out the back, the only thing you cant have is side exhaust, for fear of it entering the cab... I have never been pulled over, never had it mentioned to me, nothing. most cops wont notice where your exhaust is, i live next door to a state trooper, have had my exhaust on for close to 6 months and he just noticed it a few days ago! just my two cents
 
#35 ·
Re: Chevy 8\" lift

[ QUOTE ]
In ct i know its not against the law out the back, the only thing you cant have is side exhaust, for fear of it entering the cab... I have never been pulled over, never had it mentioned to me, nothing. most cops wont notice where your exhaust is, i live next door to a state trooper, have had my exhaust on for close to 6 months and he just noticed it a few days ago! just my two cents

[/ QUOTE ]

Uh, I think you better re-read the law, or ask your neighbor.

First, It only applies to SUV's not trucks.. or any vehicle that has a rear window that can be in an open position (not including rear sliding windows on PU cabs) while driving. For instance, a K5 blazer... and yes I have had exhaust shops offer to place exhaust out the rear.. as well as put on a system without a cat converter.. etc etc. Just because they will do it, does not make it legal. Side exit is not going to enter the cab.. the gases get displaced by the turbulance of the air moving past the tip of the pipe as the exhaust exits it..

Rear exhaust is not illegal, unless it's placed on the previosly mentioned SUV's. A PU can have rear, side, or rear and side if that floats your boat.

The reason no on has ever mentioned something like that to you is because there is nothing illegal your trucks set up...
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And that's my 2 cents
 
#36 ·
Re: Chevy 8\" lift

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I would bet money that Arizona has a law that states that SUV's cannot have a rear exit exhaust. Headlights & mudflaps are more geared toward lifted vehicles.. the exhaust law is for all vehicles, not just lifted 4x4's.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have actually seen many vehicles around town with the rear exit exhaust, regardless of type of vehicle. Whether it is illegal or not I am not sure. Anywho, just my two cents!

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, rear exhaust is legal on most cars & trucks... just not on any that have a rear window that rolls down like a K5's. I have seen SUV's that have rear exhaust and open rear windows, but it is illegal non the less (at least in most states ( I would imagine all more than likely).
 
2
#39 ·
Re: Chevy 8\" lift

well all together i dropped the transfer case 1 1/2" and i also made a 6 degree shim to put in the front and welded it to the front mounts to get the pinion angle out of the front that i had to have. I have the 203 with the plate with the 4 bolts for the front drive line i took the cv joint and ground it all smoth so i got more angle out of it i cut the cross member and beefed it up and dropped the section under the drive line and rewelded it and the back drive line i used the stock drive line for a 350 because a 350 is about 3"shorter that makes the drive line 3" longer. Everything worked great but i got to go to spicer u joints because i like them better.

Now i have to get a new yolk for my 12bolt because the other night i was dooing a burn out and snapped the yolk off the pinion and blew the drive line out the side and twisted the transmision in two it was not a good thing. I have just got a "LITTLE" 350sb in it but it is sold so now i am building a 383 stroker for it. We figure around 750hp when it is all finished and then it will have to have rockwell axels and the new 49 in irocs.
 
G
#44 ·
Re: Chevy 8\" lift

I've got an 8" superlift and 38" swampers on my K5. I haven't experienced any problems with front driveline angle, did have to lengthen the rear shaft though, went through 2 transmissions before doing that. You may also need to shim the rear. I have full 8" springs all around and dual shocks in front. The dual setup in front makes the ride a little stiff, but I don't feel the rear springs stiffened the ride a whole lot. You will get better articulation using smaller springs and blocks though. I'd recommend installing a frame brace kit on the frame near the steering box and using Offroad Design's steering brace kit. Both parts are available on their website. You WILL have to weld the frame brace kit. Blazer frames tend to crack at the steering box, especially with 35"s and larger. I've ripped the box off the frame more than once. Also, just added another 2"s of lift front and rear using shackles and blocks, still no driveline problems. One last thing, I don't think you'll need hydraulic steering, I still have plenty of power to turn the wheels running 38's. However, it's near impossible to turn them if your power steering goes out. Hope this helps and good luck with the build-up.
 
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