87 chevy lift question. ..????? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

AntiGov · 03-07-2015, 08:04 PM

Currently as I type this installing a tuff country 3" lift on my sons truck. Everyone says I don't need a steering arm unless 4" or greater. I like to make things correct as possible. I can't seem to find a 3" arm but I do have a 4" arm lying around somewhere I think I can use. Sure it's 1" over correction but I think it's better than 3"" under corrected . Any thoughts ? Also where is a good place to order extended brake lines ? I didn't get these ahead of time cause I was told my local napa carried them, they of course don't . Any info appreciated.

b454rat · 03-07-2015, 08:47 PM

You dont' need the arm for less than 4". Put the lift on with stock arm, see how it sits after awhile. If the draglink isn't level, or slightly lower at axle end, then you could get a spacer between the stock arm and knuckle. Check out offroaddesign.com, they have both I believe....

dieseldawg142 · 03-07-2015, 08:53 PM

yup, x2^^^ should be fine. got my skyjacker brake lines from summit
when i saw your name & lift in the same sentence thought that fine crew of yours was going up....

Myers horsepower · 03-07-2015, 09:18 PM

I have the Superlift 3.5" lift on my 3500 and didn't need new brake cables. There is plenty of length.
Your son have a Nice looking truck!

72MARIO · 03-08-2015, 12:54 AM

Thia is a quote from off road design

We ran the stock steering setup for a couple months and while its function was fine, it had a small bit of bumpsteer so we added a 2" drop pitman arm and now the truck drives as good or better than it did to start with. Part # is SKYCA50 for $95.00.

72MARIO · 03-08-2015, 12:54 AM

http://offroaddesign.com/action/burly-burb.htm

**special-K** · 03-08-2015, 09:29 AM

I'd have to look at the lift arm, but are they a full 4" more offset than stock, or closer to 3"? Although they say you don't "have to", I get what you're thinking. If the steering arm is closer to 3" offset over stock then it should result in keeping right about the stock geometry, which is good. The same lift arm is used for 4 and 6" and I don't know of any taller for bigger lifts. There is stock and there is a range that will work over and under that angle. If you lift 2" and keep the stock arm as recommended you have more angle than using a lift arm with 3" lift. For me using a spacer is a no go and I'm not too fond of the bent drag links. Drag links pivot as well as turn and go up and down. As they pivot (ever so little, I know) it changes it's geometry ever so little. Picture a hand crank. As the suspension cycles, wheels turn, and that part pivots I see changes in geometry that won't occur with a straight part, as factory designed. if nothing else, I'd think the ends could wear faster, especially if not lubed often enough

DWilbur · 03-09-2015, 08:50 PM

A drop drag link would work for 3" lift. Skyjacker makes one. ORD caries them.

AntiGov · 03-09-2015, 10:27 PM

Went with the 4" arm guess I'll see how it works .if no good I will try that 3" drop

AntiGov · 03-09-2015, 10:32 PM

Still need extended brake hoses and a new steering stabilizer

DWilbur · 03-10-2015, 03:02 AM

The lift kits I have installed come with a break line brackets to lower the front break lines to the below the frame so you can use the stock flex lines.

AntiGov · 03-10-2015, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWilbur

The lift kits I have installed come with a break line brackets to lower the front break lines to the below the frame so you can use the stock flex lines.

This kit did come with some flimsy metal brackets to relocate under frame but I just couldn't bring myself to use them ....I like the stock location and will just have to spend the $ 92 for new ones

dieseldawg142 · 03-10-2015, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AntiGov

This kit did come with some flimsy metal brackets to relocate under frame but I just couldn't bring myself to use them ....I like the stock location and will just have to spend the $ 92 for new ones

good choice
them brackets are flimsy, & whats a few bucks for your son's safety. new lines will most likely improve the feel of the brakes as well.

AntiGov · 03-11-2015, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseldawg142

good choice
them brackets are flimsy, & whats a few bucks for your son's safety. new lines will most likely improve the feel of the brakes as well.

Yeah I got skyjacker ones also. They are for up to 4" so should be about perfect. Rough country had some for cheap like $ 35 for the pair but they were good up to 6" lift .... so 3 inches longer than they should be IMO for a three inch lift

03-07-2015, 08:04 PM	#1
AntiGov Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: central Oregon Posts: 1,220	87 chevy lift question. ..????? Currently as I type this installing a tuff country 3" lift on my sons truck. Everyone says I don't need a steering arm unless 4" or greater. I like to make things correct as possible. I can't seem to find a 3" arm but I do have a 4" arm lying around somewhere I think I can use. Sure it's 1" over correction but I think it's better than 3"" under corrected . Any thoughts ? Also where is a good place to order extended brake lines ? I didn't get these ahead of time cause I was told my local napa carried them, they of course don't . Any info appreciated. Attached Images __________________ 88 3+3 454 400 205 410 drw to srw still in pieces 90 3+3 350 400 205 410 srw 84 1/2 ton lb 6.2 4x4 parts truck

03-07-2015, 08:47 PM	#2
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,453	Re: 87 chevy lift question. ..????? You dont' need the arm for less than 4". Put the lift on with stock arm, see how it sits after awhile. If the draglink isn't level, or slightly lower at axle end, then you could get a spacer between the stock arm and knuckle. Check out offroaddesign.com, they have both I believe.... __________________ 2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 6” lift 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 4" SAS

03-07-2015, 08:53 PM	#3
dieseldawg142 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: back 40, bc Posts: 3,800	Re: 87 chevy lift question. ..????? yup, x2^^^ should be fine. got my skyjacker brake lines from summit when i saw your name & lift in the same sentence thought that fine crew of yours was going up....

03-07-2015, 09:18 PM	#4
Myers horsepower Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Springfield, OR Posts: 30	Re: 87 chevy lift question. ..????? I have the Superlift 3.5" lift on my 3500 and didn't need new brake cables. There is plenty of length. Your son have a Nice looking truck! __________________ 1990 chevy Crewcab K30 454tbi/th400/np205twin stick/14bltFF,eaton posi/D60. 1972 CST K5 350/th350/12blt,eaton posi/D44 1970 K10 SWB 1970 K20 350/th350

03-08-2015, 12:54 AM	#5
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,052	Re: 87 chevy lift question. ..????? Thia is a quote from off road design We ran the stock steering setup for a couple months and while its function was fine, it had a small bit of bumpsteer so we added a 2" drop pitman arm and now the truck drives as good or better than it did to start with. Part # is SKYCA50 for $95.00. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

03-08-2015, 09:29 AM	#7
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: 87 chevy lift question. ..????? I'd have to look at the lift arm, but are they a full 4" more offset than stock, or closer to 3"? Although they say you don't "have to", I get what you're thinking. If the steering arm is closer to 3" offset over stock then it should result in keeping right about the stock geometry, which is good. The same lift arm is used for 4 and 6" and I don't know of any taller for bigger lifts. There is stock and there is a range that will work over and under that angle. If you lift 2" and keep the stock arm as recommended you have more angle than using a lift arm with 3" lift. For me using a spacer is a no go and I'm not too fond of the bent drag links. Drag links pivot as well as turn and go up and down. As they pivot (ever so little, I know) it changes it's geometry ever so little. Picture a hand crank. As the suspension cycles, wheels turn, and that part pivots I see changes in geometry that won't occur with a straight part, as factory designed. if nothing else, I'd think the ends could wear faster, especially if not lubed often enough __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-09-2015, 08:50 PM	#8
DWilbur Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: San Jose Ca Posts: 965	Re: 87 chevy lift question. ..????? A drop drag link would work for 3" lift. Skyjacker makes one. ORD caries them.

03-09-2015, 10:27 PM	#9
AntiGov Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: central Oregon Posts: 1,220	Re: 87 chevy lift question. ..????? Went with the 4" arm guess I'll see how it works .if no good I will try that 3" drop Attached Images __________________ 88 3+3 454 400 205 410 drw to srw still in pieces 90 3+3 350 400 205 410 srw 84 1/2 ton lb 6.2 4x4 parts truck

03-09-2015, 10:32 PM	#10
AntiGov Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: central Oregon Posts: 1,220	Re: 87 chevy lift question. ..????? Still need extended brake hoses and a new steering stabilizer Attached Images __________________ 88 3+3 454 400 205 410 drw to srw still in pieces 90 3+3 350 400 205 410 srw 84 1/2 ton lb 6.2 4x4 parts truck

03-10-2015, 03:02 AM	#11
DWilbur Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: San Jose Ca Posts: 965	Re: 87 chevy lift question. ..????? The lift kits I have installed come with a break line brackets to lower the front break lines to the below the frame so you can use the stock flex lines.



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