I have a 72 with a 390 and C6. The truck will see mostly road, but occasionally will have to go over improved surfaces and washboard. So off road will be limited to AZ desert roads. What would be the best compromise? Can I get away with 30" tires and lifting the cab an additional inch? What do you guys recommend?

 

Ummmmmm....... 2WD or 4WD?

For 2WDs, a 3-inch suspension lift would be decent for trail running. Visit Autofab.com........ A one-inch body lift would be a waste of time.

For 4WD, a 2-inch lift (Rancho coils) and one inch blocks in the back should be fine. Go with 33s. A 4-inch lift is good with either 33s or 35s.

 

Loco, I'm running my 2wd at stock height with 31x10.50 tires. There hasn't been anywhere yet that I haven't been able to go because of ground clearance. I've been all over behind saguaro lake, up around the rim country, and down out In The desert towards you. Driven over berms, rocks, bushes, climbed hills and everything.

Stock height with 31" tires is a very capable setup.

 

Gota add my 2cents, It also helps knowing how to drive off road is an A plus.

Or while off roading do it with friends that have a winch.
It never fails, The guy with the wench gets to pull out all this friends that have 2wd vehicles that try going places they should not.
Orich

 

I've seen a lot of idiots bury the truck in sand because they just gun it.

 

Sorry. It is a 2 wheel drive. I did looked at the Autofab system, but it is almost $2k and for that much money I could get a 4x4 and move over my rebuild engine and transmission. I mean, I don't question that it is very high quality, but it seem incompatible with towing and carrying loads. Oh and I still have drum brakes.

 

There isn't an easy and cheap way to lifted 2 wheel drive.

 

C6's were not available with 4WD until 1973, and no 4WD came w/a 390 originally.

 

Lower the front suspension mounting points... = fabrication.

 

That's not easy haha. Newer trucks you can just get longer springs and adjust the ball joint cams.

 

He has a 2wd

 

... most offer spacers for the struts ala "leveling kit".

 

Now THAT is easy. I've installed a few of those kits on new trucks. Simple cheap and work great!

 

Autofab is the best place to go if your wanting to lift a 2wd. Other then that you will need to be good with a welder and fabrication if your looking to lift it on "the cheap" lowering the suspension pivot points will get you some lift but not for a beginner. Just Throwing bigger coils in with a I beam suspension won't work as your camber will come into play there.

 

2x... I've been thinking about this. Someone (meaning a company) should come out with a simple subframe to pick up the I-beam mounting points and radius arm brackets. That's what many companies (Rancho, Superlift, etc.) do with late model 4x4s with IFS. However, 2WD steering linkages come into play... I'm not sure whether Autofab's modified linkages are simply bent stock pieces but it doesn't seem to be that insurmountable.

The profitability will nary given how many units have to be sold but for ease I'm sure some will find the value in it.