73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

i have finally gotten the time to install my lift spindles. they are 1988 - 1998 Chevy 4 inch lift spindles.

my reason for lifting is that i use my truck as a work truck. So i really could use the extra ride height and "long travel" with some big tires which will improve ride quality. I opted to keep the stock coil springs as they are not stiff springs and that will keep it smooth on the road.

the parts list so far is:

• 1973 - 1987 3/4 ton lower control arms
• 1988 - 1998 upper ball joints
• 1988 - 1998 outer tie rod ends
• 1988- 1998 rotors and calipers

so with all my parts here or on the way, i began





Just wanted to say i used Rock Auto to order all my parts because even with shipping, they are usually less than half the price Autozone/Advanced/Oreilly or other stores.

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...nstall_002.JPG


here is the drivers side mocked up without the spring installed

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

more pictures


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...nstall_003.JPG

here is the 88-98 upper ball joint. it fits right where the old one did luckily!





http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...nstall_006.JPG

The Rock Auto lower control arm "dent" next to the shock mount wasnt as deep as the original so i had to get the air chisel out and modify it to allow the bolt to fit.





http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...nstall_007.JPG

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

Very interesting. Cool stuff! Im interested to see how it turns out!

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

I Made alot of progress on the passenger side today. but snce my internet is slow i cant upload very many of the pictures i took.


but i have the passenger side mocked up and il be putting the spring in tomorrow

i will also hopefully be getting some 1988 - 1998 rotors and calipers from the junkyard tomorrow too.

not sure if i will need brake line extensions yet but it looks like i might


here is a picture i managed to upload comparing the old lower ball joint to the new one. more pictures to come when my internet isint so slow!


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...comparison.jpg

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

i have almost finished.

i used 3/4 ton heavy duty brakes so my original plan to use 15 inch rims would not work. so i bought a set of 17 stock bullet hole style rims from a buddy.

http://i.oodleimg.com/item/2583768446_1m?1306613359
they look like this except with GMC center caps





http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...t_kitt_013.JPG



http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...619_144218.jpg

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

I need to do this to my LCA cause its a pain to put the bolts in.

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

If you don't mind me asking, how much did the lift spindles cost, and how much did everything else cost?

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

lift spindle set $250

the lower control arms $89 each

ball joints and tie rods about $60

having a one of a kind truck: Priceless





as for rotors and calipers i recommend hitting up your local junkyard, get 3/4 ton stuff

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

got the wheels mounted using washers as wheel spacers haha


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...621_174659.jpg

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

I really like what you are doing here. For those of you that like what you see, there is a great article on this topic in our FAQ forum. Take a look at "73-87 2wd lift with 33x10.5x 18 Nittos"

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

Thanks a lot man, its looking great, and should ride good.

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

Anymore progress on this?
And what size tires are you running?

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

So the lower control arm has to be changed or can just the lower ball joint be changed? I see the taper is different on the two. Is the lower ball joint you used from a 88-98 or 73-87? I want to do this set up to my suburban.

I was reading on another forum that a guy used 1 ton lift spindles and switched to 8 lug. Any info on swapping to 8 lug? Of course the rear end is easy enough

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

do you know whats different about the lift spindles, for 1/2 tons , and 1 tons? If there the same then all you need is different rotors that are 8 lug, if there different then you need 1 ton lift spindles, and 8 lug rotors.

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

Physical difference I don't know the difference. They do show a different part number for the 1/2- light duty 3/4 ton to the heady duty 3/4 to 1 ton. All I've gathered so far just from looking up parts is that they use the same lower ball joint. Upper is different but only difference I can see just from pictures is the mounting surface. From the pictures I have looked at the upper control arm is made up different between the two as well. I just happen to look at a buddy's 1/2 ton 4wd upper control arm this weekend and it looked like it was the same as the heavy duty 3/4 and 1 ton 2wd. I'll have to check it out. I'm sure it will lead to nothing but anything is possible.

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

if all you need to make it work is the upper control arm, then thats easy.

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

I haven't looked to hard yet but I havent even found a lift spindle for a 2wd heavy 3/4-1 ton 92-98 yet. Upper 4wd 1/2 ton and 2wd 1ton ball joints are different in 1993.

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

cool build!
What is your plan for the rear?

Can you clarify this
The 6 lug stuff is the light duty 3/4 ton.
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Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

I'm curious on the brakes too. I'd say he would just use 4wd axle shafts in the rear.

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

okay sorry about taking so long to respond i have been at sea for two months with Texas Maritime Academy. taking classes and working towards my 3rd mates license.

but the 88-98 1 ton spindle is different as i tried to use a 2500HD 13 inch 8 lug rotor and the bearings were too big for the spindle. im sure they make a 1 ton lift spindle.


the "3/4 ton" brakes are from that same 2500 truck with the 13 inch rotors. they fit the spindle and the 11" rotor. the advantage is bigger pads and a larger bore on the cylinder.




as for the lower ball joint. it is a 73-87 3/4 ton. you can keep you original lower control arm and i almost wish i did because i have to take it all apart again to modify the Rock Auto lower control arms again to get them to center up [ i will explain this in detail in a later post].

the upper ball joint is the 88-93 i used 1/2 ton. but i am worried that i may have needed 3/4 ton. but i will find out soon if this is true.


for the rear i plan to use 5 lug to 6 lug adapters.

i need spacers for the front because i chose to use 17" 2007 stock bullet hole style rims from a buddies GMC. i will post pictures soon


i also plan to eventually get a set of 35 inch tires. that is after i buy the spacers and adapters.



once again sorry i took so long to respond!

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

No worries!

So the calipers are from a 2500HD and they fit the 2500LD rotors?

How much lift do the spindles give you? Are you going to run lift blocks in the rear?
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Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

you say you can keep the original 1/2 lower control arm?

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

that is correct. i could not believe it myself but after i put it all together it worked and the pads line up exactly where they should on the 11'' rotor.

the problem was after i did this the 15" 6 lug rims i picked up would no longer fit so i had to hurry up and find some rims that fit before i went out to sea so it would at least be a roller. luckily my buddy just put new rims on his truck so i picked up the stock 17's with two tires still holding air and equal in size to my old 33's.

Re: 73-87 lift spindle installation in the 86 Custom Deluxe
 

i gained about 5 inches of lift in the front.

i used 3 inch blocks and it sits nose up about 1 inch. looks cool kinda like a pre runner. the 2 off road lights i put on the front bumper help too.