4" lift
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
4" lift
OK, I am looking to lift a my 68 longbed on a 78 chassis. I think a few inches or so would give me the room I want for the 34-10.50-15 tsl's I've got. Is it a horrible I dea to modify the spring buckets & drop them about 3" and then do a shackle flip in the rear? I've got a couple buddies who have done this to there mud trucks, but I don't know if it is such a good idea.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,976
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From: Rep. of Texas
if you can fabricate properly, I'd recommend it. But if you can't, then don't.
Be realistic with yourself, just because others can fab, doesn't mean you can. Then again, you have to start somewhere...
Be realistic with yourself, just because others can fab, doesn't mean you can. Then again, you have to start somewhere...
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
The only reason I considered going this route is because I have access to the parts off a wrecked truck to modify. I feel fairly competent when it comes to fabwork. On this truck I cut 2" out of the frame, boxed it and fit it back together. I built the 429 myself as well.
If i were to buy springs & shocks for the front, how about the shackle flip in the rear, is this an acceptable practice?
If i were to buy springs & shocks for the front, how about the shackle flip in the rear, is this an acceptable practice?
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,277
Likes: 0
From: St George, SC I-95
Cage coil springs are about the best riding/flexing springs you can buy and they are $150 per set. Id go that route and flip the shackle in the rear.
figure:
$150 coils
$50 poly C bushings
$200 shocks
$40 rear ubolts
$80 brake lines
~$20 misc grade 8 bolts
$13 18pk
figure:
$150 coils
$50 poly C bushings
$200 shocks
$40 rear ubolts
$80 brake lines
~$20 misc grade 8 bolts
$13 18pk
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 8,147
Likes: 1
From: Joppa, Maryland
I have the [broken record] SKY Manufacturing shackle flip on the rear of my bronco for about 4inches and like it. You might have problems if you tow/haul a lot of weight because the shackle will be in compression, but you can always upgrade to a beefier F450 shackle and bolt [/broken record].
All that said, are you sure you need to lift it? 34's will fit fine without lift. I ran 36s without lift on my '78. Unless the 68 body is significantly different. If you just want to lift it, go for it. I went with superflex 4" coils, drop brackets, brake lines, shocks, drop pitman and drop trac bar bracket all from bronco graveyard.
All that said, are you sure you need to lift it? 34's will fit fine without lift. I ran 36s without lift on my '78. Unless the 68 body is significantly different. If you just want to lift it, go for it. I went with superflex 4" coils, drop brackets, brake lines, shocks, drop pitman and drop trac bar bracket all from bronco graveyard.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Either shackle flip or do the sky bracket in the rear.
Very good way to lift the rear, but it drops your hauling ability a little.
For the front... cage or deaver(superflex) coils would be the best way to go. Stock springs have more than likely sagged by now, and new springs wouldn't hurt, but other than that... droping the coil buckets isn't bad.
You can get most things off of JBG for right around the prices Kris listed, probably a little cheaper.
You'll want a drop trac bar mount as well.
You could always cut the corners of the fenders for the little extra clearenss you'd need...
Very good way to lift the rear, but it drops your hauling ability a little.
For the front... cage or deaver(superflex) coils would be the best way to go. Stock springs have more than likely sagged by now, and new springs wouldn't hurt, but other than that... droping the coil buckets isn't bad.
You can get most things off of JBG for right around the prices Kris listed, probably a little cheaper.
You'll want a drop trac bar mount as well.
You could always cut the corners of the fenders for the little extra clearenss you'd need...
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Dec 2004
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HERE is a link to a picture of my truck to show tire clearance. I jacked up on front tire and it did not hit but it comes within 1.5" of the fender. It sits a little nose down as well, I wouold like to cure this when I lift it. What would you guys do if you were me?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Looks pretty good like it is to me.
They have coil springs that give 1.5-2" of lift.... might look into something like that.
IF it were me, and I'd (think it was just too low), I'd get the 1.5-2" coils, 2 or 4 degree C bushings (probably calls for 2), get some grade 8 bolts and do a shackle flip and pull the rear block.
I'm guessing the block is 2" (if it has one... it's a 1/2 ton, so if it does it should be 2") The shackle flip would give right around 3" of lift, so you'd end up with 1" lift in the rear.
And 1.5-2" up front. You wouldn't need to worry about drop brackets, extended brake lines, or anything.
They have coil springs that give 1.5-2" of lift.... might look into something like that.
IF it were me, and I'd (think it was just too low), I'd get the 1.5-2" coils, 2 or 4 degree C bushings (probably calls for 2), get some grade 8 bolts and do a shackle flip and pull the rear block.
I'm guessing the block is 2" (if it has one... it's a 1/2 ton, so if it does it should be 2") The shackle flip would give right around 3" of lift, so you'd end up with 1" lift in the rear.
And 1.5-2" up front. You wouldn't need to worry about drop brackets, extended brake lines, or anything.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,701
Likes: 6
I looked into all this kind of stuff when I converted my truck (to 4wd) and then decided that new front springs were a good thing since the stock ones were 30 years old. I used rancho 3" coils, but it was really more like 3.75" lift since the stock ones were sagged. On the rear, I added leaves and did drop brackets, but the shackle flip would have been MUCH easier. Here's 2 pics with the 3"coils and 33s and 36s
Hopefully, this helps guage how much clearance the 34s will have. I say buy new fronts and shackle flip the rear.
Hopefully, this helps guage how much clearance the 34s will have. I say buy new fronts and shackle flip the rear.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 0
From: Riverview, FL
chrono4, how has that home lift been working for you? I have been thinking of doing the same thing to mine. Did you have to buy anything else like a pitman arm or track bar mount after the drop?